Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Takara Mori, Koutatsu Nagai, Kayoko Tamaki, Hiroshi Kusunoki, Yosuke Wada, Shotaro Tsuji, Ryota Matsuzawa, Kyoko Sano, Manabu Amano, Ken Shinmura
Summary: This study aims to clarify the factors contributing to the improvement or progression of frailty among rural Japanese older adults. The findings demonstrate that quality of life significantly affects the improvement of frailty status, while it does not significantly contribute to frailty progression.
EXPERIMENTAL GERONTOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Sebastian Beltz, Simone Gloystein, Thomas Litschko, Sonja Laag, Neeltje van den Berg
Summary: This study identified and confirmed several potential determinants of disability and quality of life in the elderly, including ADL and IADL disability, sex, cognitive and functional status, social participation, age, education, social support, income, etc. Attention should be paid to prevention strategies as many of these determinants appear to be at least partly modifiable.
Article
Social Sciences, Interdisciplinary
Omar A. Al-Farsi, Yahya M. Al-Farsi, Marwan M. Al-Sharbati, Samir Al-Adawi, Angie Cucchi, Musthafa M. Essa, M. Walid Qoronfleh
Summary: This study focuses on the quality of life (QoL) of caregivers, such as those taking care of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), in emerging economies. It finds that caregivers of children with ASD have lower QoL compared to those caring for children with intellectual disabilities (ID) or typical development (TD). Socio-demographic factors, such as higher education and income, appear to have an impact on the QoL of caregivers with children with ASD.
APPLIED RESEARCH IN QUALITY OF LIFE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ying-Chen Chi, Chen-Long Wu, Hsiang-Te Liu
Summary: This study examined the correlation between sociodemographic characteristics and the overall quality of life (QoL) level of older adults in Taiwan, using the WHOQOL-BREF Taiwanese Version questionnaire. The results showed that female, older age, higher education level, and better financial situation were significantly related to higher overall QoL level. Additionally, all domains and items of the questionnaire, except for the physical health domain and six items, were significantly correlated with overall QoL level.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Vlad Dionisie, Maria Gabriela Puiu, Mirela Manea, Ioana Anca Pacearca
Summary: This study aimed to identify predictors of domain-specific quality of life (QoL) changes in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) following pharmacological treatment. Reductions in symptom severity and disability predicted improvements in all domains of QoL, while pain intensity reduction predicted improvements in the physical aspect. A reduced number of psychiatric hospitalizations and being in a relationship predicted improvements in psychological QoL, and a positive history of suicidal attempts was associated with better social relationships QoL. The predictive models explained 41.2% and 54.7% of the variance in psychological and physical health domains of QoL.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Naveen Anand, Akhilesh Sharma, Jimil Shah, Rakesh Kochhar, Shubh Mohan Singh
Summary: This study indicates that patients with esophageal stricture due to caustic ingestion undergoing long-term endoscopic dilation treatment have poor quality of life, high prevalence of psychological morbidity, and disability.
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Nuan-Ching Huang, Shiann-Far Kung, Susan C. Hu
Summary: This study investigated the relationship between built environments and depressive symptoms in older adults in Taiwan. Different types of built environments were found to have varying effects on depression, with some being associated with lower depressive symptoms and others with an increased risk of depression. Urban planners and city designers can use these findings to reconsider how to create built environments that improve the mental health of older adults.
AGING & MENTAL HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Health Policy & Services
Chiachi Bonnie Lee, Nuan-Ching Huang, Shiann-Far Kung, Susan C. Hu
Summary: This study examines the impact of the Healthy Cities initiative in Tainan on the development of Health in All Policies (HiAP), concluding that after 7 years HiAP had reached Stage V Institutionalization in the Tainan HC project. Through a Multiple Streams Approach and the Maturity Model, key contexts, factors, challenges, and strategies were identified in the process. The study suggests that the HC initiative can contribute to the development of HiAP and opens a window for it through a convergence of problem, policy, and political streams.
HEALTH PROMOTION INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Chih-Ching Liu, Yu Sun, Shiann-Far Kung, Hsien-Wen Kuo, Nuan-Ching Huang, Chung-Yi Li, Susan C. Hu
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Chao-Chin Chao, Lein-Ray Mo, Susan C. Hu
Summary: This study evaluated the optimal timing for performing CE in patients with occult GI bleeding, with results indicating that the most optimal time is within three days after GI bleeding occurs.
BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Aileen R. de Juras, Wan-Chen Hsu, Susan C. Hu
Summary: The study in the Philippines found a high prevalence of double burden of malnutrition (DBM) among adults, especially in overweight/obese individuals. Factors such as sex, age, and educational attainment were identified as determinants of DBM. The research highlighted the need for food and nutrition interventions to address the critical malnutrition issue among Filipino adults.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Susan C. Hu, Yu-Hsuan Tsai, Der-Chiang Li, Wan-Chen Hsu, Nuan-Ching Huang
Summary: This study examined the impacts of social-economic environments on depressive symptoms among Taiwanese adults, finding that both social and economic factors were significantly associated with depression, with different effects observed based on gender and age groups.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Asantesana Kamuyango, Tsung Yu, Chon-Kit Ao, Susan C. Hu, Wen-Hsuan Hou, Ching-Cheng Tseng, Chung-Yi Li
Summary: This study conducted a multi-level analysis to evaluate the impact of public-sector family planning program scores and other country-level factors on LARC use among young women aged 15 to 24. The results showed that the LARC use rate among the young women under study was 3.1%. An increase in public-sector family planning program scores was positively associated with LARC use, while an increase in HIV prevalence was negatively associated with LARC use.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Aileen R. de Juras, Wan-Chen Hsu, Susan C. Hu
Summary: This study examined the dietary patterns of Filipino adults and their association with sociodemographic and lifestyle factors. Six main dietary patterns were identified, with each pattern being influenced by various factors such as sex, age, education, marital status, employment, household size, wealth, smoking, alcohol consumption, and physical activity.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Aileen R. de Juras, Wan-Chen Hsu, Susan C. Hu
Summary: This study investigated the prevalence and determinants of the double burden of malnutrition (DBM) among adults in the Philippines using data from the 2013 Philippine National Nutrition Survey. The study identified three types of DBM and found that factors such as sex, age, educational attainment, employment status, wealth quintile, and alcohol drinking were associated with DBM. The findings contribute to understanding the individual-level DBM and suggest that integrated actions are needed to address the coexistence of malnutrition and cardiometabolic disease risks.
FRONTIERS IN NUTRITION
(2021)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Wan-Chen Hsu, Nuan-Ching Huang, Der-Chiang Li, Susan C. Hu
Summary: This study examines the effects of different types of caregiving on the well-being of older caregivers. The results indicate that caregivers of older adults have higher depressive symptoms and lower life satisfaction compared to non-caregivers, especially when caring for adults with ADL problems. In contrast, caregivers of grandchildren do not experience significant effects on depression or life satisfaction. Interestingly, caregiving for both older adults and grandchildren has no significant effect on depression but positively affects life satisfaction.
AGING & MENTAL HEALTH
(2023)
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Aileen R. de Juras, Susan C. Hu
Summary: This mini-review examined the relationship between dietary patterns and the double burden of malnutrition (DBM), and discussed various approaches and definitions used in studying this relationship. The review revealed a lack of research on the nexus of dietary patterns and DBM, and highlighted the need for further studies to establish evidence on the link between food patterns and multiple burdens of malnutrition.
ASIA-PACIFIC JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Aileen Rodil de Juras, Wan-Chen Hsu, Yu-Yao Cheng, Li-Jung Elizabeth Ku, Tsung Yu, Cheau-Jane Peng, Susan C. Hu
Summary: There are sex differences in dietary patterns and their association with the double burden of malnutrition (DBM) among adults in the Philippines. Rice-based and meat-containing patterns have a protective effect on DBM in males, while protein-rich foods, cereal, and sugar pattern decrease DBM likelihood in both males and females. However, females with vegetable and corn patterns have an increased risk for DBM.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Chi Chiao, Pin-Han Kuo, Der-Chiang Li, Susan C. Hu
Summary: This study aimed to explore the relationships between work-family conflict before retirement, social engagement after retirement, and changes in loneliness among Taiwanese retirees across two birth cohorts. The results showed that work-family conflict before retirement exacerbates loneliness, while social engagement after retirement is beneficial in reducing loneliness. This highlights the importance of social stressors occurring before retirement.
SSM-POPULATION HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Health Policy & Services
Nuan-Ching Huang, Pin-Han Kuo, Wan-Chen Hsu, Susan C. Hu
Summary: This study explores the relationship between retirement planning and healthy lifestyles after retirement. Through a nationwide survey in Taiwan, it was found that different components of retirement planning were associated with different types of healthy lifestyles. The results suggest that retirement planning offers a window of opportunity to promote healthy behaviors after retirement and should be advocated in the workplace.
HEALTH PROMOTION INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Mathematical & Computational Biology
Liang-Sian Lin, Susan C. Hu, Yao-San Lin, Der-Chiang Li, Liang-Ren Siao
Summary: In the medical field, researchers often face challenges in obtaining sufficient samples to build stable forecasting models. Generating virtual samples has been found to be an effective approach, and this paper proposes a distance-based technique to estimate data diffusion with less impact from extreme values. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method for small datasets.
MATHEMATICAL BIOSCIENCES AND ENGINEERING
(2022)
