IntroductionThe primary purpose of this study was to determine adherence and health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) in PWE. Secondary aims were to assess association between adherence and HRQoL and determine predictors of HRQoL in PWE in Pakistan.MethodsA descriptive cross‐sectional study was conducted among PWE receiving treatment from two tertiary care hospitals of Pakistan. The HRQoL and adherence were assessed with Urdu versions of Quality of Life in Epilepsy‐31 (QOLIE‐31), and Medication Adherence Rating Scale (MARS). Relationship between HRQoL and adherence was assessed by Pearson's product‐moment correlation coefficient. Forced entry multiple linear models were used to determine relationship of independent variables with HRQoL.Results219 PWE with a mean (±standard deviation) age, 34.18 (± 13.710) years, participated in this study. The overall weighted mean HRQoL score was (51.60 ± 17.10), and mean score for adherence was 6.17 (± 2.31). There was significant association between adherence and HRQoL in PWE (Pearson's correlation = 0.820–0.930; p ≤ .0001). Multiple linear regression found adherence (B = 16.8; p ≤ .0001), male gender (B = 10.0; p = .001), employment status (employed: B = 7.50; p = .030), level of education (Tertiary: B = 0.910; p = .010), duration of epilepsy (>10 years: B = –0.700; p ≤ .0001), and age (≥46 years: B = –0.680; p ≤ .0001), and ASM therapy (polypharmacy: B = 0.430; p = .010) as independent predictors of HRQoL in PWE from Pakistan.ConclusionsThe findings suggest PWE from our center have suboptimal adherence which affects HRQoL. Independent factors such as male gender, employment status and duration of epilepsy are predictors of HRQoL.

Background: Malnutrition is a major health problem specially effecting children under the age of 5 years. Malnutrition has serious outcomes such as suppressed immune system, delayed and stunted growth, slow wound healing etc. Objective: To look into the impact of a lipid-based nutritional supplement on caloric intake, appetite, glucose and insulin levels of school going children of age 5-10years. Methods: In this single blind randomized controlled trial, 38 children with BMI (Z score between-2 and -3SDS) were randomly allocated to Lipid based nutritional supplements & Placebo groups. They were given supplements (535kcal) /Placebo (92kcal). They were served ad libitum buffet meals (breakfast and lunch). The appetite responses were measured by marking the Likert scale questionnaire at 0, 30, 60, 120, 150, 180, 210 and 240 minutes. The total caloric intake was calculated for the ad libitum buffet breakfast and lunch. The insulin and glucose levels were measured using COBAS C3 analyzer. Result: On the trial day, there was no significant difference in total caloric intake between lipid based nutritional supplements LNS (766.3272.4) kcal and Placebo (806311.5) kcal. Appetite was measured using a Likert scale, but no significant differences were found between the two groups. There was also no significant difference between glucose in the LNS vs. PLACEBO, i.e. (929.13 vs.97.111.7) mg/dL and insulin (1.6±0.97 vs. 2.09±1.15) µU/mL in both the groups. Conclusion: In mildly underweight children the Lipid based nutritional supplements reduces the caloric intake from the regular habitual diet, which extends to the lunch time. This suppression of caloric intake might be related to the changes in appetite.