Althea Medical Journal
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Enhancing Care Quality and Wellness for Older Adults: Empathy Training in Nursing
Full text linkBackground: Empathy plays an essential role in older adult care and patient wellness, by strengthening healthcare quality and the nurse-patient relationship. This study evaluated the effectiveness of Carl Rogers-based empathy training in improving the capacity of empathy among nurses, particularly in caring for older adult patients and wellness. Methods: A quasi-experimental pre- and post-test design was conducted in October 2024 at Bekasi Regency Hospital, Indonesia. Nurses from inpatient and outpatient units were selected through purposive sampling. Empathy was assessed using the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) before and after a three-day training program. The analysis included overall empathy scores and four subdimensions: Empathic Concern (EC), Perspective Taking (PT), Fantasy Scale (FS), and Personal Distress (PD). Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test and effect size calculations.Results: The mean total empathy score slightly decreased from 47.91±7.4 to 46.14±2.6 (p=0.190, r=0.22). However, significant improvements were observed in EC (p=0.004, r=0.51) and FS (p=0.007, r=0.42), whereas PD decreased significantly (p=0.001, r=0.61). No significant change was found in PT (p=0.457, r=0.12). Conclusion: Short-term empathy training effectively enhances emotional dimensions of empathy, such as empathic concern and fantasy scale, while reducing personal distress. However, it does not significantly improve overall empathy scores. Long-term training, reinforcement strategies, and cognitive-based interventions may be needed to support sustained empathy developments in nursing care for older adults and patient wellness
Correlation of Fat Mass, Muscle Mass, and Basal Metabolic Rate with Bone Mass in Postmenopausal Women
Full text linkBackground: Bone health is an important aspect of aging, particularly in postmenopausal women who experience estrogen deficiency that increases the risk of osteoporosis and related complications. Although components of body composition have individually been associated with bone health, their relative contributions remain incompletely understood. This study aimed to examine the correlations of fat mass, muscle mass, and basal metabolic rate (BMR) with bone mass in postmenopausal women.Methods: A cross-sectional analytic study was conducted in March 2025 using data from 40 postmenopausal women obtained from the Bandung Sport and Health Nabati Nutrition (B-SHENN) Project. Spearman’s rho correlations analysis was used to assess relationships between fat mass, muscle mass, BMR and bone mass. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to identify the most influential predictor of bone mass.Results: Fat mass, muscle mass, and BMR were all significantly and positively correlated with bone mass (p<0.001). Among these variables, muscle mass showed the strongest correlation with bone mass (r=0.991). Multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated that muscle mass was the only independent predictor significantly associated with bone mass (B=0.069; p=0.022).Conclusions: Fat mass, muscle mass, and BMR are associated with bone mass in postmenopausal women, with muscle mass emerging as the strongest predictor. These findings underscore the importance of maintaining or increasing muscle mass as a key modifiable factor in strategies to preserve bone health and reduce osteoporosis risk in postmenopausal women
Therapeutic Effects of Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 Inhibitors in Dyslipidemia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Full text linkBackground: Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors represent a novel class of medications for managing dyslipidemia. Although previous meta-analyses have confirmed their efficacy in lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), few have evaluated their effects on broader lipid parameters. Moreover, most studies focus on the general dyslipidemic population, provided limited insight into specific subgroups. This study specifically investigated the effects of PCSK9 inhibitors on multiple lipid parameters in individuals with dyslipidemia who were statin-intolerant, statin-resistant, or required intensified lipid-lowering treatment.Methods: This study systematically searched PubMed, ScienceDirect, and the Cochrane Library for phase 3 randomized controlled trials (2013-2023), evaluating PCSK9 inhibitors against placebo or non-statin standard care in dyslipidemic patients aged ≥18 years. The main outcome was the changes from baseline in lipid parameters. Random-effects meta-analyses were conducted using RevMan. Results: Eight studies involving 2,343 participants met eligibility criteria. PCSK9 inhibitors significantly reduced LDL-C (MD -46.8, 95% CI [-53.2; -40.4]), non-HDL-C (MD -41.1 [-46.9; -35.3]), total cholesterol (MD -31.5 [-37.8; -25.2]), triglycerides (MD -11.7 [-15.0; -8.4], Lp(a) (MD -19.2 [-25.7; -12.6]), and ApoB (MD -39.4 [-45.0; -33.7]). PCSK9 inhibitors also significantly increased HDL-C (MD 6.3 [4.7; 7.9]) and ApoA-I (MD 4.1 [2.8; 5.5]).Conclusion: PCSK9 inhibitors significantly improve a broad spectrum of lipid parameters, including non-traditional markers such as non-HDL-C, ApoA-I, ApoB, and Lp(a), underscoring their potential role in managing dyslipidemia, particularly in patients inadequately controlled with standard therapies
Effectiveness of Low-Impact Aerobic Exercise to Improve Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Quality of Life in Elderly
Full text linkBackground: Aging is associated with declining physical health and decreased quality of life in the elderly population. In response to the rising challenges faced by the aging demographic, this study aimed to investigate the effects of low-impact aerobic exercise on cardiorespiratory fitness and overall quality of life in the elderly. Methods: A quasi-experimental study design was employed involving 42 elderly participants who underwent a three-month low-impact aerobic exercise intervention. This study was conducted in the work area of the Surakarta City Health Service from June to August 2023. Cardiorespiratory fitness was measured using the Harvard Step Test, and quality of life was assessed through the World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaire. The effect of low-impact aerobic exercise on cardiorespiratory fitness and quality of life was analyzed using the non-parametric test Wilcoxon Test.Results: Most respondents were aged 60–65 years (66.7%) and female (71.5%). The study revealed a significant improvement in both cardiorespiratory fitness (p=0.025) and quality of life (p<0.000) among the elderly participants after low-impact aerobic exercise intervention.Conclusion: Low-impact aerobic exercise has an effect on increasing cardiorespiratory fitness and quality of life in the elderly. This finding is expected to be one of the main therapies that can help maintain the health and well-being of the geriatric population
Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of Mimosa pudica L. in Indonesian Traditional Medicine
Full text linkBackground: Traditional medicine and traditional healers have a long history of treating diseases in Indonesia. One of the plants that has been used by traditional healers (battra) is Mimosa pudica L. (MP), which is easily found throughout Indonesia. This study aimed to explore the therapeutic potential of traditional herbal medicine containing MP by battra in Indonesia. Methods: This study used a descriptive method using secondary data from the Research on Medicinal Plants and Herbal Medicine (Riset tumbuhan obat dan jamu/RISTOJA), which was conducted in 2012, 2015 and 2017 by the Ministry of Health Indonesia. This study analyzed the utility of MP from 106 concoctions made by 90 battras, from 80 ethnic groups in 23 provinces of Indonesia. Concoctions were categorised based on the parts used, and the herbs’ composition, including preparation and administration. Results: Mimosa pudica L. (MP) in 106 concoctions divided into 48 single-plant uses and 70 multi-plants uses, to treat 38 diseases. The most concoctions were for skin diseases (10 concoctions), followed by rheumatism and gout (9), tumor/cancer and cough (8), haemorrhoids (7), diabetes (6), low back pain (4), and jaundice (4). The most common administration was orally (65.1%). The leaves were the most widely used in herbal medicine, by drinking after being boiled in water.Conclusions: This study provides information on the use of Mimosa pudica L. (MP) concoctions by battra from various ethnic groups and provinces in Indonesia. MP has a variety of pharmacological activities that are consistent with its use in traditional medicine, even potentially addressing age-related diseases such as antidiabetic, anticholesterol, and antihyperlipidemic. Further studies are needed to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of multi-ingredient herbal medicines, as well as its preparation and administration in relation to hygiene
Clinical Outcomes of Hypertonic Dextrose Prolotherapy Injection in Obese Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis: A Quasi-Experimental Study
Full text linkBackground: Obesity is a major risk factor for knee osteoarthritis (KOA), contributing to pain, reduced joint function, and decreased quality of life. Hypertonic dextrose prolotherapy (HDP) has emerged as a potential treatment to lessen pain and improve function in KOA. This study aimed to observe the clinical outcomes of HDP injections in obese patients with KOA.Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted in 2023, involved obese patients diagnosed with KOA. Participants were divided into two groups: an intervention group receiving HDP injections and a control group receiving normal saline (NS) injections. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) for pain and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) before intervention, and at two and six weeks after intervention. Intergroup and intragroup mean differences were analyzed, with a significance value of p<0.05.Results: A total of 38 participants were included, with 20 assigned to the HDP group and 18 to the control group. Intragroup analysis showed a significant reduction in NRS scores in both groups (p<0.001), whereas no significant intragroup change was observed in WOMAC scores. Intergroup analysis showed significantly greater improvement in both NRS and WOMAC scores in the HDP group compared with the control group at two and six weeks after intervention (p<0.001).Conclusions: HDP injections improve clinical outcomes in obese patients with KOA, particularly in reducing pain intensity and improving functional status. Pain reduction may support participation in exercise and weight management programs, although persistent obesity may increase the risk of KOA recurrence
Early Left Ventricular Structural Changes With Preserved Function in Overweight and Obese Adolescents: A Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography Study
Full text linkBackground: Overweight and obesity in adolescents are associated with dyslipidemia and may contribute to early cardiovascular remodelling. Speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) is a sensitive imaging technique capable of detecting early myocardial functional alterations before the onset of clinical symptoms. This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between cardiac chamber dimensions, left ventricular (LV) geometry and function, and lipid profiles in overweight and obese adolescents. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from June to September 2023, involving 51 overweight and obese adolescents aged 15–18 years in Bandung, Indonesia. Anthropometric measurements, fasting lipid profiles (triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL, HDL), and transthoracic echocardiography were obtained. LV dimensions, LV mass index (LVMI), ejection fraction (EF), fractional shortening (FS), and global longitudinal strain (GLS) were assessed. Associations were analyzed using Pearson correlation.Results: Participants were predominantly male (64.7%) with a mean age of 16.3±0.6 years. Overweight (47.1%) and obesity (52.9%) were almost equally distributed with a mean BMI of 29.6±4.1 kg/m². LVMI correlated negatively with total cholesterol (r=−0.356; p=0.005), HDL (r=−0.351; p=0.006), and LDL (r=−0.280; p=0.023). The LV posterior wall thickness and LV end-diastolic diameter were also inversely correlated with selected lipid parameters. Interventricular septal thickness in systole correlated positively with triglycerides (r=0.270; p=0.028). No significant correlations were found between lipid profiles and LV function parameters, including EF, FS, and GLS (p>0.05).Conclusions: In overweight and obese adolescents, lipid profiles are associated with early alterations in LV structural dimensions while LV systolic function remains preserved. These findings support the importance of early cardiovascular screening and lifestyle modification to reduce future cardiometabolic risk
Effect of the Dates Milkshake on the Duration of the First Stage of Labor
Full text linkBackground: Prolonged labor can occur due to malnutrition during the first stage of labor. During the labor process, women need foods rich in sugar, such as dates milkshake, to optimize uterine contractions. This study aimed to explore the effect of dates milkshake on the duration of the first stage of labor.Method: This study was a quasi-experiment conducted from August to November 2021 in Bengkulu City, Indonesia using a posttest-only design with nonequivalent groups. Participants included 34 primigravida and multigravida women who were then divided into intervention group who received dates milkshake and control group who received local fruit juice, each with 17 participants. Daily routine consumption and the partographs during labor were observed. The data obtained was analyzed using Mann Whitney and Cochran’s and Mantel-Haenszel.Results: The duration of labor in mothers given dates milkshake averaged 4.1 hours (± 0.697), ranging from 3 to 5 hours; meanwhile the control group averaged 7 hours (± 1.904), ranging from 5 to 11 hours. There was a significant difference in the duration of labor between mothers given dates milkshake and local fruit juice (p= 0.000, OR=4.0).Conclusions: Dates milkshake has an effect on shortening the duration of the first stage of labor. Dates milkshake can be used as a viable food choice for pregnant women to help maintain and increase maternal energy availability during childbirth
Curcuma longa L. Prevents Hepatotoxicity Induced Isoniazid and Rifampicin: An Experiment in Wistar Rats Model
Full text linkBackground: Hepatotoxicity induced by the combination of isoniazid (INH) and rifampicin (RIF) in the treatment of tuberculosis (TB) remains a major concern. Oxidative stress has a role in mechanism of hepatotoxicity. Curcuma longa L. has been widely used as a traditional medicine and has shown antioxidant activity. This study aimed to provide evidence of Curcuma longa L as protection against oxidative stress induced by isoniazid and rifampicin therapy.Methods: This was an experimental study on male Wistar rats weighing 150-200 grams, aged 8-10 weeks which were divided into a negative control group (K0), a positive control group with INH + RIF (K1), a treatment group with a dose of 2.2 gr/kg/day Curcuma longa L powder (K2), and treatment group with INH+RIF and additional 2.2 gr/kg/day turmeric rhizome powder (K2+). SGOT and SGPT were measured from blood plasma on the 28th day; then hepatic tissue was obtained to measure MDA levels and observed histologically. Statistical analysis was done using ANOVA and continued with Duncan procedure using SPSS ver. 27.Results: SGOT, SGPT, the highest average MDA level in the liver, and the highest mean necrotic cell count in the positive control group showed a significant difference (p<0.05). The treatment group had a smaller average number of necrotic cells than the positive control group with a significant difference (p <0.05).Conclusion: Curcuma longa L powder has been shown to prevent elevation in SGOT, SGPT, MDA of liver tissue and hepatocyte necrosis, indicating its potential in protecting the liver from oxidative stress
Prevalence and Resistance Patterns of Candida albicans in Diabetic and Non-Diabetic Patients with Urinary Tract Infections
Full text linkBackground: Candida spp. is an opportunistic fungi genus that can turn into pathogens, especially in those with inadequate immune response such as in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), of which Candida albicans is the most common species. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and antifungal resistance patterns of Candida albicans in DM and non-DM patients with urinary tract infections (UTIs).Methods: A retrospective descriptive observational study was conducted in 2023 using medical record data of DM and non-DM patients with UTIs who were treated at a tertiary hospital in Bandung, Indonesia from July 2019 to December 2021. Data on patient characteristics, proportion of fungal species causing UTI, and antifungal resistance patterns of Candida albicans were analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2019 and presented in tabular form and chart.Results: Of a total 291 patient data, 21 were DM patients and 270 were non-DM patients, mostly were female, 71.4% and 58.2%, respectively. The prevalence of Candida albicans in DM patients was 66.7% and in non-DM patients was 70.7%, mostly resistant to micafungin (7.1% and 8.9%, respectively).Conclusion: Female is more susceptible to UTIs. More than half of DM and non-DM patients with UTIs are infected with Candida albicans, and mostly resistant to micafungin. Antifungal treatment guidelines based on resistance patterns and education on personal hygiene to prevent UTIs are recommended