Validation of adherence prediction system for lifestyle interventions in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

This editorial delves into the research article by Zeng et al published in the latest issue of World Journal of Gastroenterology.The manuscript contributes significantly to addressing the global health issue of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)by introducing and validating the Exercise and Diet Adherence Scale(EDAS).The article effectively conveys the importance of the study,highlighting the prevalence of NAFLD,the lack of approved drugs for its treatment,and the crucial role of lifestyle correction.The use of the Delphi method for scale development and the subsequent evaluation of its reliability add scientific rigor to the methodology.The results demonstrate that the scale is correlated with key lifestyle indicators,which makes it a promising tool for assessing patient adherence to interventions.The identification of specific score thresholds for predicting adherence to daily calorie intake and exercise adds practical value to the scale.The differentiation among scores indicative of good,average,and poor adherence enhances its clinical applicability.In conclusion,the manuscript introduces EDAS,a valuable instrument that can contribute substantially to the field of NAFLD research and clinical practice.

Establishment and validation of an adherence prediction system for lifestyle interventions in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

BACKGROUND Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)is the most common liver disease worldwide,affecting about 1/4th of the global population and causing a huge global economic burden.To date,no drugs have been approved for the treatment of NAFLD,making the correction of unhealthy lifestyles the principle method of treatment.Identifying patients with poor adherence to lifestyle correction and attempting to improve their adherence are therefore very important.AIM To develop and validate a scale that can rapidly assess the adherence of patients with NAFLD to lifestyle interventions.METHODS The Exercise and Diet Adherence Scale(EDAS)was designed based on com-pilation using the Delphi method,and its reliability was subsequently evaluated.Demographic and laboratory indicators were measured,and patients completed the EDAS questionnaire at baseline and after 6 months.The efficacy of the EDAS was evaluated in the initial cohort.Subsequently,the efficacy of the EDAS was internally verified in a validation cohort.RESULTS The EDAS consisted of 33 items in six dimensions,with a total of 165 points.Total EDAS score correlated significantly with daily number of exercise and daily reduction in calorie intake(P<0.05 each),but not with overall weight loss.A total score of 116 was excellent in predicting adherence to daily reduction in calorie intake(>500 kacl/d),(sensitivity/specificity was 100.0%/75.8%),while patients score below 97 could nearly rule out the possibility of daily exercise(sensitivity/specificity was 89.5%/44.4%).Total EDAS scores≥116,97-115,and<97 points were indicative of good,average,and poor adherence,respectively,to diet and exercise recommendations.CONCLUSION The EDAS can reliably assess the adherence of patients with NAFLD to lifestyle interventions and have clinical application in this population.

Patient satisfaction and follow-up adherence to glaucoma case management clinic in China

AIM:To assess glaucoma patient satisfaction and follow-up adherence in case management and identify associated predictors to improve healthcare quality and patient outcomes.METHODS:In this cross-sectional study,a total of 119 patients completed a Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire-18 and a sociodemographic questionnaire.Clinical data was obtained from the case management system.Follow-up adherence was defined as completing each follow-up within±30d of the scheduled time set by ophthalmologists during the study period.RESULTS:Average satisfaction scored 78.65±7,with an average of 4.39±0.58 across the seven dimensions.Age negatively correlated with satisfaction(P=0.008),whilst patients with follow-up duration of 2 or more years reported higher satisfaction(P=0.045).Multivariate logistics regression analysis revealed that longer follow-up durations were associated with lower follow-up adherence(OR=0.97,95%CI,0.95-1.00,P=0.044).Additionally,patients with suspected glaucoma(OR=2.72,95%CI,1.03-7.20,P=0.044)and those with an annual income over 100000 Chinese yuan demonstrated higher adherence(OR=5.57,95%CI,1.00-30.89,P=0.049).CONCLUSION:The case management model proves effective for glaucoma patients,with positive adherence rates.The implementation of this model can be optimized in the future based on the identified factors and extended to glaucoma patients in more hospitals.

Colorectal cancer screening: Modalities and adherence

In the last decade,several studies have explored various modalities and strategies for colorectal cancer(CRC)screening,taking into account epidemiological data,individual characteristics,and socioeconomic factors.In this editorial,we comment further on a retrospective study by Agatsuma et al published in the recent issue of the World Journal of Gastroenterology.Our focus is on screening trends,particularly in relation to efforts to improve the currently suboptimal uptake among the general population worldwide,aiming to enhance early diagnosis rates of CRC.There is a need to raise awareness through health edu-cation programs and to consider the use of readily available,non-invasive screening methods.These strategies are crucial for attracting screen-eligible populations to participate in first-line screening,especially those in high-or average-risk groups and in regions with limited resources.Liquid biopsies and biomarkers represent rapidly evolving trends in screening and diagnosis;however,their clinical relevance has yet to be standardized.

Scale offers the possibility of identifying adherence to lifestyle interventions in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)is the most common chronic liver disorder,and dietary and lifestyle interventions remain the mainstays of NAFLD therapy.Zeng et al established a prediction system to evaluate adherence to lifestyle interventions in patients with NAFLD and choose optimal management.Here,we discuss the application scenarios of the scale and the areas warranting further attention,aiming to provide a possible reference for clinical recommend-ations.

Mediating role of inner strength in the relationship between medication literacy and medication adherence among kidney transplant patients

Objective:Compared with long-term renal replacement therapy,kidney transplantation is the ideal treatment for end-stage renal disease(ESRD),significantly extending patient life and improving quality of life.Kidney transplant patients need to adhere to lifelong immunosuppressive medication regimens,but their medication adherence is generally poor compared with other organ transplant recipients.Medication adherence is closely related to medication literacy and psychological status,yet related studies are limited.This study aims to investigate the current status of medication adherence,inner strength,and medication literacy in kidney transplant patients,analyze the relationships among these 3 factors,and explore the mediating role of inner strength in the relationship between medication literacy and medication adherence.Methods:A cross-sectional survey was conducted from March to October 2023 involving 421 patients aged≥18 years who visited kidney transplantation outpatient clinics at 4 tertiary hospitals in Hunan Province.The inner strength,medication literacy,and medication adherence of kidney transplant patients were investigated using the Inner Strength Scale(ISS),the Chinese version of the Medication Literacy Assessment in Spanish and English(MedLitRxSE),and the Chinese version of the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale-8(C-MMAS-8),respectively.Univariate analysis was performed to examine the effects of demographic and clinical data on medication adherence.Correlation analysis was conducted to explore the relationships among medication literacy,medication adherence,and inner strength.Significant variables from univariate and correlation analyses were further analyzed using multiple linear regression,and the mediating effect of inner strength was explored.Results:Among the 421 questionnaires collected,408 were valid,with an effective rate of 96.91%.The scores of C-MMAS-8,MedLitRxSE,and ISS were 6.64±1.16,100.63±14.67,and 8.47±4.03,respectively.Among the 408 patients,only 86(21.08%)patients had a high level of medication adherence,whereas 230(56.37%)patients had a medium level of medication adherence,and 92(22.55%)patients had poor medication adherence.Univariate analysis indicated that the kidney transplant patients’age,marital status,education levels,years since their kidney transplant operation,number of hospitalizations after the kidney transplant,and adverse drug reactions showed significant differences in medication adherence(all P<0.05).Correlation analysis showed that inner strength positively correlated with both medication literacy(r=0.183,P<0.001)and medication adherence(r=0.201,P<0.001).Additionally,there was a positive correlation between medication adherence and medication literacy(r=0.236,P<0.001).Inner strength accounted for 13.22%of the total effect in the mediating role between medication literacy and medication adherence.Conclusion:The level of medication adherence among kidney transplant patients needs improvement,and targeted intervention measures are essential.Inner strength mediates the relationship between medication literacy and medication adherence in these patients.Healthcare professionals should focus on enhancing medication literacy and supporting patients’inner strength to improve medication adherence.

Effective roles of exercise and diet adherence in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)is characterized by symptoms of excessive fat accumulation and steatosis in the liver without alcohol intake in patients.The associated pathogenic mechanism is not completely understood and there are no specific drugs for patients with NAFLD.Exercise and diet adherence are the best options for the management of NAFLD patients.Questionnaire associated analysis models of adherence to these interventions are used to assess their effectiveness in the management of NAFLD patients using specificity,sensitivity,and so on.Studies have indicated that the relative ratio of NAFLD can be reduced by physical activity with diet control.In the future,the pathogenesis of NAFLD should be clarified with stratified efforts to develop appropriate drugs,and both exercise and diet adherence should be optimized using better questionnaire design and evaluation models for patients with NAFLD.

Insulin therapy in type 2 diabetes: Insights into clinical efficacy, patient-reported outcomes, and adherence challenges

Insulin therapy plays a crucial role in the management of type 2 diabetes as the disease progresses.Over the past century,insulin formulations have undergone significant modifications and bioengineering,resulting in a diverse range of available insulin products.These products show distinct pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles.Consequently,various insulin regimens have em-erged for the management of type 2 diabetes,including premixed formulations and combinations of basal and bolus insulins.The utilization of different insulin regimens yields disparate clinical outcomes,adverse events,and,notably,patient-reported outcomes(PROs).PROs provide valuable insights from the patient’s perspective,serving as a valuable mine of information for enhancing healthcare and informing clinical decisions.Adherence to insulin therapy,a critical patient-reported outcome,significantly affects clinical outcomes and is influenced by multiple factors.This review provides insights into the clinical effectiveness of various insulin preparations,PROs,and factors impacting insulin therapy adherence,with the aim of enhancing healthcare practices and informing clinical decisions for individuals with type 2 diabetes.

Clinical effects of detailed nursing management interventions on medication adherence and disease perception in patients with drugresistant tuberculosis

BACKGROUND Tuberculosis(TB)is a chronic respiratory infectious disease that considerably jeopardizes human health,and there is no effective vaccine suitable for its prevention in the entire population.AIM To investigate the promotion of medication adherence and disease cognition in patients with drug-resistant(DR-)TB using detailed nursing management.METHODS In total,114 patients with DR-TB who were diagnosed and treated at our hospital between January 2019 and January 2023 were included in this study.Patients in the control group(n=57)were managed with conventional nursing care,while those in the observation group(n=57)were managed with detailed nursing care.Medication adherence,disease awareness scores,medication safety,and nursing satisfaction were compared between the two groups after the intervention.RESULTS The post-intervention medication compliance rate was 91.23%in the observation group and 75.44%in the control group,with the former being 15.79%higher than the latter(P<0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in the disease awareness scores between the two groups before the intervention;the disease awareness scores of the observation group were significantly higher than those of the control group after the intervention(P<0.05).The incidence of gastrointestinal reactions,joint swelling and pain,hearing loss,electrolyte disorders,and liver and kidney function abnormalities were lower in the observation group than those in the control group.The total nursing satisfaction of the observation group was higher than that of the control group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Implementation of detailed nursing management for patients with DR-TB can effectively improve medication adherence,enhance awareness of the disease,ensure safety of medication,and improve satisfaction with nursing care.

Adherence to Pharmacotherapy in Post-Menopausal Women with Hypertension or Metabolic Syndrome: Real World Experience

Background: Adherence to medications is dependent upon a variety of factors, including individual characteristics of the patient, interactions with health care providers, and medication complexity. Even though several studies were conducted to test intervention strategies, results are uncertain. Aim: The aim of the study is to assess if a tailored combined intervention strategy improves medication adherence in a large population of post-menopausal women affected by hypertension or metabolic syndrome. Methods: We enrolled 6833 patients aged 50 to 69 years, 85.7% with hypertension, and 14.3% with metabolic syndrome. A network between patients, general practitioners, and cardiologists was established. Interventions included education, adequate information to patients, a simplified scheme of treatment, and periodic adherence assessment. These were either delivered as healthcare provider supports or using modern technology. Medication adherence was estimated by the proportion of days covered for all classes of drugs after the index date. Results: Non-adherent hypertensive women were 297 (5%), and those with metabolic syndrome were 73 (7.4%) (p Conclusions: The rate of non-adherence in both settings of postmenopausal women was 7.7%, much lower than that described in the literature. This rate was increased in patients with metabolic syndrome;probably it is related to the complexity of the therapeutic scheme or to a poor consciousness of the disease. Therefore, implementing a tailored combined intervention can improve significantly patients’ adherence to medical therapy.

Factors of Adherence to Concurrent Tuberculosis Treatment and Antiretroviral Therapy among HIV-TB Co-Infected Individuals in the East Region, Cameroon in the COVID-19 Era: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Context/Objectives: Tuberculosis (TB) and HIV co-infection is a serious health problem in Cameroon. The problems associated with poor adherence to treatment are on the increase worldwide. This problem can be observed in all situations where patients are required to administer their own medication, whatever the type of illness. The general objective of this study was to assess the factors affecting adherence to treatment among HIV-TB co-infected patients in health facilities in the East Region in the COVID context. Method: A retrospective cohort study before and during COVID-19 was conducted in HIV care units in 13 health districts in the East Region of Cameroon. Data were collected using a questionnaire recorded in the Kobo Collect android application, analyzed using SPSS version 25 software and plotted using Excel. Results: The pre-COVID-19 cohort compared to the during-COVID-19 cohort had a 1.90 risk of not adhering to treatment (OR: 1.90, CI {1.90 - 3.37}) and the difference was statistically significant at the 5% level (p-value = 0.029). Frequency of adherence was 65.4% (140/214). Adherence before COVID-19 was 56.9% whereas during COVID-19, it was 74.3%. Conclusion: The implementation of targeted interventions in the COVID-19 context, using evidence-based data and integrating the individual needs of HIV-TB co-infected patients, improved adherence to concurrent anti-tuberculosis treatment and antiretroviral therapy during the COVID-19 Era.

Effectiveness of Short Message Service Support on Adherence to Chemotherapy Treatment among Patients Attending Cancer Treatment Facilities in Kenya

Introduction: Cancer is a chronic debilitating disease that unnerves patients, communities, and nations. At some point in cancer patient’s disease experience, chemotherapy is used, and the patient is expected to adhere to treatment to improve survival and quality of life. Methods: This multisite Cluster Randomized Trial (CRT) evaluated the effectiveness of mobile phone Short Message Service (SMS) support on the adherence to treatment schedules among adult cancer patients in Kenya. Data was collected using questionnaires. Ethical approvals were obtained from relevant Ethical Review Boards (ERBs). Results: The mean adherence was 83%. There was a significant difference between treatment arms in relation to the adherence. The intervention arm had a higher mean adherence difference, M = 3.913, 95% CI 2.632-5.193, t (402) = 6.006, p ≤ 0.001), with Cohen’s d = 0.60. Although not significant, (χ2dd = 0.151, df = 1, p = 2.064), more women were perfect adheres than males. Perfect adherers were satisfied with SMS support (χ2dd = 7.620, df = 1, p = 0.06), were in the intervention arm (χ2dd = 22.942, df = 1, p ≤ 0.001), and had trust in the care provider (χ2dd = 10.591 p ≤ 0.001). SMS support was not significant in the multivariate analysis but had an estimated effect size of 0.958 (z = 1.424, p = 0.154, CI = 0.242-3.781), indicating that mean adherence was slightly better in the presence of the intervention. Conclusions: SMS-support intervention has demonstrated superiority in influencing adherence. Further, health system-related factors have a significant influence on the adherence to chemotherapy treatment. Interventions to re-design health systems that are responsive to unmet care needs of cancer patients must be explored. .

Psychosocial and Socioeconomic Barriers to Treatment Adherence in Pediatric Atopic Dermatitis

Research Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition in children that significantly impacts physical health and quality of life. Adherence to treatment regimens is crucial for effective disease management but is often hindered by various psychosocial and socioeconomic barriers. Parental mental health issues, family dynamics, financial constraints, and limited access to specialized care contribute to inconsistent treatment adherence, exacerbating the condition. Purpose/Aim: The aim of this study is to explore the multifaceted barriers to treatment adherence in children with AD and evaluate the effectiveness of current interventions targeting these challenges. The study seeks to identify strategies that can improve adherence and health outcomes by addressing psychosocial and socioeconomic factors. Method: The method involves a comprehensive review of existing literature on the impact of psychosocial and socioeconomic factors on treatment adherence in children with AD. The study also examines various interventions designed to address these barriers, including community support programs, family-centered interventions, financial aid, integrated care models, and telehealth solutions. Results: Results indicate that psychosocial barriers, such as parental anxiety and depression, significantly hinder effective disease management. Family dynamics, including poor communication and single-parent households, complicate adherence efforts. Socioeconomic factors, such as financial constraints and limited healthcare access, further impede adherence. Interventions that address these barriers show promise in improving treatment adherence and health outcomes. Community support programs and family-centered interventions enhance parental mental health and family communication. Financial aid programs and integrated care models help mitigate economic and logistical challenges. Telehealth solutions improve access to specialized care, particularly in underserved areas. Conclusion: The study concludes that a holistic approach integrating medical treatment with psychosocial and socioeconomic support is essential for managing pediatric AD effectively. Policy recommendations include increased funding for community support programs, expanded telehealth services, and the integration of social services with medical care. Addressing these barriers comprehensively can enhance treatment adherence and improve the quality of life for children with AD. Further research should focus on long-term outcomes and diverse populations to refine these interventions and ensure they meet the needs of all affected children.

Healthcare Worker-Related Factors Contributing to Tuberculosis Treatment Non-Adherence among Patients in Kisumu East Sub-County

Background: Treatment non-adherence poses significant risks to health outcomes and impedes the health system’s efficiency, hence curtailing progress towards the end Tuberculosis (TB) strategy under SDG 3.3. Despite interventions to address TB treatment non-adherence, Kenya still reports high TB treatment non-adherence rates of 35% and consequently poor treatment outcome rates. Health Care Workers (HCWs) play a critical role in linking the population to health services, yet little is known of their influence on patients’ TB treatment non-adherence in Kenya. Objective: To analyze HCW-related factors associated with TB treatment non-adherence among patients in Kisumu East Sub-County. Methods: Health facility-based analytical cross-sectional mixed-method study. A Semi-structured questionnaire on treatment adherence and patients’ perceptions of HCWs during the clinic visit was administered to 102 consenting adult (out of a total census of 107 adults) drug-susceptible TB patients. 12 purposively selected HCWs by rank from 6 health facilities participated in Key Informant Interview sessions. Medication adherence was measured using the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale and then expressed as a dichotomous variable. Quantitative analysis utilized STATA version 15.1 while qualitative deductive thematic analysis was done using NVIVO version 14. Results: TB treatment non-adherence rate of 26% (CI: 18% - 36%) was recorded. Overall, patients who felt supported in dealing with the illness were 8 times more likely to adhere to treatment compared to those who were not (aOR = 7.947, 95% CI: 2.214 - 28.527, p = 0.001). Key HCW related factors influencing adherence to treatment included: friendliness (cOR = 4.31, 95% CI: 1.514 - 12.284, p = 0.006), respect (cOR = 6.679, 95% CI: 2.239 - 19.923, p = 0.001) and non-discriminatory service (cOR = 0.1478, 95% CI: 0.047 - 0.464, p = 0.001), communication [adequacy of consultation time (cOR = 6.563, 95% CI: 2.467 - 17.458, p = 0.001) and patients’ involvement in their health decisions (cOR = 3.02 95% CI: 1.061 - 8.592, p = 0.038)] and education and counselling (cOR = 4.371, 95% CI: 1.725 - 11.075, p = 0.002). Conclusion: The study results underline importance of patient-centered consultation for TB patients and targeted education and counselling for improved treatment adherence.

Evaluation of Therapeutic Adherence in Patients Suffering from Chronic Inflammatory Rheumatism in the Rheumatology Wards of Lomé (Togo)

Objectives: Therapeutic compliance can be defined as the degree of adequacy between a patient’s behaviour and his doctor’s recommendations. Non-adherence to treatment has serious consequences in terms of morbidity and mortality. Our aim was to assess adherence among patients treated for chronic inflammatory rheumatism in Lomé. Patients and Methods: This was a multicentre cross-sectional study conducted from January 2015 to December 2021. Patients aged 18 years or older, treated in the rheumatology departments of the Sylvanus Olympio University Hospital or the Bè Hospital during the study period, were included if they were diagnosed with chronic inflammatory rheumatism and started on disease-modifying therapy. Adherence was assessed using the Compliance Questionnaire Rheumatology 19 questionnaire, with a threshold for good compliance set at 80%. Results: Out of 13,214 patients received, 159 suffered from chronic inflammatory rheumatism (hospital frequency 1.5%), and 60 met the inclusion criteria for our study. There were 55 women (91.7%) and 5 men (8.3%), giving a sex-ratio of 1/11. The mean age was 49.5 ± 13.5 years (extremes: 19 and 78 years). Rheumatoid arthritis (68.3%) was the most common rheumatic disease, followed by undefined rheumatic diseases (16.6%) and spondyloarthritis (8.3%). Average compliance with treatment was 76.9% ± 12.4% (extremes 29.8 and 91.2). There was no statistically significant difference according to the type of rheumatism. Conclusion: Overall compliance was poor, with a Compliance Questionnaire Rheumatology 19 of less than 80%. It was non-significantly influenced by socioeconomic status, disease severity and duration of progression.

Initial medication adherence in newly diagnosed glaucoma patients:three adherence measures

AIM:To determine initial medication adherence in newly diagnosed glaucoma patients treated with anti-glaucoma drugs.METHODS:This retrospective and observational study included all patients diagnosed with glaucoma in the Primary Health Care units in Portugal during the years 2012 and 2013,which in consequence received a first prescription for anti-glaucoma drugs.Data was collected from electronic prescribing records of the primary care units and from pharmacy claims records.Initiation of glaucoma treatment and early discontinuation were measured,and the combination of(non)-initiation and early discontinuation accounted for initial medication(non)-adherence.RESULTS:A total of 3548 new glaucoma patients(40.1%male;59.9%female)were included.The 1133(31.9%)patients were initially classified as non-users,since there was no pharmacy claim found for their first prescription for glaucoma treatment.Additionally,277(11.5%)patients early discontinued their treatment,acquiring only their first prescription.Overall,the initial medication non-adherence rate was 39.7%since 1410 patients either didn’t initiate treatment or discontinued it early.CONCLUSION:This study,reveals a major opportunity to improve glaucoma treatment and its control,since a large proportion of patients fail to engage with their prescribed therapy,which implies that implementation of individual or group strategies that enable patients with glaucoma to correctly perform their treatment is still needed.

Impact of guideline adherence on the prognosis of Barcelona clinic liver cancer stage B hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND Patients with Barcelona clinic liver cancer(BCLC)stage B hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)are considerably heterogeneous in terms of tumor burden,liver function,and performance status.To improve the poor survival outcomes of these patients,treatment approaches other than transarterial chemoembolization(TACE),which is recommended by HCC guidelines,have been adopted in realworld clinical practice.We hypothesize that this non-adherence to treatment guidelines,particularly with respect to the use of liver resection,improves survival in patients with stage B HCC.AIM To assess guideline adherence in South Korean patients with stage B HCC and study its impact on survival.METHODS A retrospective analysis was conducted using data from 2008 to 2016 obtained from the Korea Central Cancer Registry.Patients with stage B HCC were categorized into three treatment groups,guideline-adherent,upward,and downward,based on HCC guidelines recommended by the Asian Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver(APASL),the European Association for the Study of the Liver(EASL),and the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases(AASLD).The primary outcome was HCC-related deaths;tumor recurrence served as the secondary outcome.Survival among the groups was compared using the Kaplan-Meier method and the log-rank test.Predictors of survival outcomes were identified using multivariable Cox regression analysis.RESULTS In South Korea, over the study period from 2008 to 2016, a notable trend was observed in adherence to HCCguidelines. Adherence to the EASL guidelines started relatively high, ranging from 77% to 80% between 2008 and2012, but it gradually declined to 58.8% to 71.6% from 2013 to 2016. Adherence to the AASLD guidelines began at71.7% to 75.9% from 2008 to 2010, and then it fluctuated between 49.2% and 73.8% from 2011 to 2016. In contrast,adherence to the APASL guidelines remained consistently high, staying within the range of 90.14% to 94.5%throughout the entire study period. Upward treatment, for example with liver resection, liver transplantation, orradiofrequency ablation, significantly improved the survival of patients with BCLC stage B HCC compared to thatof patients treated in adherence to the guidelines (for patients analyzed according to the 2000 EASL guidelines, the5-year survival rates were 63.4% vs 27.2%, P < 0.001), although results varied depending on the guidelines.Progression-free survival rates were also significantly improved upon the use of upward treatments in certaingroups. Patients receiving upward treatments were typically < 70 years old, had platelet counts > 105/μL, andserum albumin levels ≥ 3.5 g/dL.CONCLUSIONAdherence to guidelines significantly influences survival in South Korean stage B HCC patients. Curativetreatments outperform TACE, but liver resection should be selected with caution due to disease heterogeneity.

To explore patients’ perceptions about motivators and barriers of adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy among people living with HIV: A qualitative study

Objective:For people living with HIV(PLHIV),strict adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy(HAART)is the key to effective treatment and retention in human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)care.There are many factors which promote or halt the antiretroviral therapy(ART)adherence practices.Therefore,the present study aimed to examine the HAART adherence levels and to explore patients’views about barriers and facilitators to HIV treatment adherence.Methods:Semi-structured interviews were conducted among 15 PLHIV at the ART clinic of Dr.Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital,New Delhi.Interviews were audio-recorded in the local Hindi language,and bilingual experts(English and Hindi)transcribed verbatim.Qualitative data were coded for themes and subthemes and analyzed using a phenomenological approach as per thematic content analysis.Results:Feeling of hopelessness,delayed ART initiation,difficult initial phase of ART,forget to take ART on time,fear of disclosure of HIV diagnosis,lack of privacy and negative social support,and impact of lockdown due to COVID-19 were revealed as significant barriers to ART adherence.At the same time,commitment to raise and educate children,ART to increase life span,maintain oneself to be physically fit and healthy,only a single pill per day,very supportive counselors and health-care professionals,and hope to give birth to a healthy child were identified as facilitators of HIV retention.Conclusion:Understanding patient’s perception about ART adherence,its motivational and barrier factors which are directly affecting ART adherence and retention of PLHIV in HIV treatment and follow-ups are of utmost importance to improve ART adherence during HIV patient care services.

Dietary adherence and the associated factors among Indonesian patients with type 2 diabetes: what should we be concerned about?

Objective: To identify the level of dietary adherence for particular foods and determine which are challenging for patients with diabetes in Indonesia, as well as the associated factors. Methods: This study was conducted in a primary health care facility, using a cross-sectional design. Diabetic patients who had received dietary education, agreed to par ticipate, and adult age were invited. All patients with type 1, gestational, and other types of diabetes who did not join regular meetings of Prolanis and were repor ted moving or dying were excluded. The data collection used demographic and perceived dietary adherence questionnaires(PDAQs). Moreover, the height, weight, and blood glucose level were recorded. Data were analyzed using Pearson, point biserial correlation, and one-way analysis of variance(ANOVA) tests. Results: The respondents were mostly female, married, and non-smoking with a mean age of 60.2 ± 8.48 years. Mean score for dietary adherence was 29.7 ± 8.85 with scores from the specific food groups between 0.72 ± 1.89 and 4.60 ± 2.30. The lower scores of adherence were identified on low-sugar foods, high-fiber foods, fish and foods with high omega-3, and olive/organic oils in cooking. Additionally, people living with diabetes for more than 10 years and not having any comorbidity showed a higher score of dietary adherence. Conclusions: There were 4 groups of foods that had a low score of adherence. Accordingly, health care providers working in primary health care should be concerned about those 4 food groups during diabetes education and counseling. Public health workers should make more effor ts to promote consumption of the healthy diet among patients with diabetes, par ticularly those who have had diabetes for less than 10 years and other comorbidities.

Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic on Patient Adherence to Chronic Medications in Sudan in 2021

Background: As the coronavirus spared accelerated, various sectors began to deteriorate since the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. The health sector as one of the major areas where the pandemic put a huge strain was also affected in different ways. Precisely, patient adherence to medication despite difficulties was a point of a question for health staff. Thus, this survey aims to distinguish and discuss the possibility of patients with chronic medications receiving their drugs and taking them regularly as prescribed. Method: Two online questionnaires were generated using Google forms and distributed among patients with chronic illnesses and pharmacists in the Khartoum locality. The survey was conducted during the period of the study to get the most recent data. Results: 81.4% of the population stated that they did encounter difficulties in obtaining their chronic medication during the pandemic. Pharmacists reported that drug availability decreased by 87% in pharmacies, but a considerable proportion of patients adhered to their medications (84%), and obtained their medications through a variety of means. More than half of the patients ordered their medication illegally, in addition to another approach discussed in the paper.