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Objective: This study aimed to examine the outcomes of COVID-19 and a collapsing economy on the mental well-being (MWB) of the general Lebanese population. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted online in May 2020 and enrolled 502 adults. Results: Mental well-being had a mean of 14.80 (14.37; 15.24). A lower MWB was associated with female gender (beta=−1.533 [−2.324; −0.743]), university education (beta=−2.119 [-3.353;-0.885]), fear of COVID-19 (beta=−0.131 [−0.199; −0.063]), fear of poverty (beta=−0.232 [−0.402;−0.063]), verbal violence at home (beta=−3.464 [−5.137; −1.790]), and chronic disease (beta=−1.307 [−2.283; −0.330]). Better family satisfaction (beta=0.380 [0.235; 0.525]) and better financial situation (beta=0.029 [0.003; 0.055]) were significantly correlated with better MWB. In the subsample of workers/looking for a job, additional factors affected MWB: physical exercise (beta =1.318 [0.370; 2.265]) was associated with better QOL, while being a previous waterpipe smoker, being self-employed before the crisis (beta=−1.22 [−2.208;−0.231]), working from home since the economic crisis (−1.853 [−3.692; −0.013]), and worrying about the long-term effects of the crisis on one's employment status (beta=−0.433 [−0.650; −0.216]) were associated lower MWB. It is noteworthy that closure of the institution yielded a borderline result (B = −1.2; p =.094), while the fear of COVID-19 was not significantly associated with MWB (B = −0.054; p =0.192). Conclusion: This study showed that, during the pandemic, economic and other factors, directly or indirectly related to COVID-19, significantly affected quality of life. The fear of COVID-19 and fear of poverty mainly impacted the MWB of the general population. However, the fear of COVID-19 lost its significance among workers, who reported that factors negatively affecting their MWB are directly related to their employment and the already collapsing economy in Lebanon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The survey aims to assess the knowledge and awareness of Reimbursement Bodies (RBs) and Patient Advocacy Groups (PAGs) in Lebanon and the possible involvement of patients in the health technology assessment (HTA) process in the absence of a well-established HTA structure and to identify the actions to be taken at this level. Structured questionnaires were administered to eleven key participants from both RBs and PAGs. The survey utilized two different questionnaires, each composed of two open-ended questions and ten close-ended questions. RBs recognized the need for clinical and technical guidelines to optimize the HTA process, whereas PAGs stated that they are familiar with the current assessment and reimbursement process. A lack of interaction between the payers and the PAGs was reported mainly due to the absence of laws that involve patients in the assessment process. All the payers and three out of five of PAGs encouraged the involvement of PAGs in the assessment process. They reported that patients require support, education, and training to be efficiently involved. A short-term plan for involving patients in the assessment process can be implemented in light of RBs' and PAGs' openness for such involvement. In the long run, the collaboration between both parties needs to be more formalized and structured. Education and training programs are to be suggested for other PAGs. The institutionalization of an HTA body that unifies all the fragmented RBs, including a patient's representation to optimize the reimbursement process and to engage patients, is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Asthma is a prevalent hyperactive airway disease with physical and emotional impact. Severe asthma is associated with considerable health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The aim of this study is to assess the quality of life through physical, emotional, social and occupational aspects and evaluate the factors affecting HRQoL in patients with asthma., Methods: This is a cross-sectional multicenter study conducted on adult asthmatic patients enrolled from community pharmacies across different Lebanese geographic areas., Results: Having wheezing sometimes and most of the time (Beta = -0.144 and -0.552), experiencing anxiety sometimes and most of the time (Beta = -0.205 and -0.573), encountering sleep problems sometimes and most of the time (Beta = -0.270 and -0.553), having previous chest discomfort sometimes and most of the time (Beta = -0.421 and -0.713), and having depression most of the times (Beta = -0.415) were associated with higher lower quality of life scores. On the other side, holding a secondary level of education was associated with a higher quality of life score (Beta = 0.192)., Conclusion: This study highlights that asthma affects adults' quality of life through social, emotional, physical, and occupational impacts. Improved follow-up and patient education may be essential in the future to stop disease progression and achieve ideal therapeutic outcomes., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Kharaba, Feghali, El Husseini, Sacre, Abou Selwan, Saadeh, Hallit, Jirjees, AlObaidi, Salameh and Malaeb.)