Quality of Life among Selected Filipino Adults with Trigeminal Neuralgia

Abstract

Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a severe chronic neuropathic disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of intense facial pain, significantly impairing functional capacity and overall quality of life. Despite its clinical importance, limited empirical evidence exists regarding quality-of-life outcomes among Filipino populations. This study examined the quality of life of selected Filipino adults diagnosed with TN and investigated the relationships between pain severity, self-care deficits, and multidimensional quality-of-life domains. A quantitative cross-sectional descriptive–correlational design was employed, involving 26 purposively selected participants recruited from an online TN support community in the Philippines. Data were collected using a structured survey comprising demographic variables, the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) for pain assessment, a self-care checklist based on Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory, and the WHOQOL-BREF instrument. Descriptive statistics and correlation analyses (Spearman’s rho and Pearson’s r) were applied to determine associations among variables. Results indicated that respondents experienced severe pain (M = 7.42, SD = 2.21) and reported moderate quality of life across physical, psychological, social, and environmental domains. Pain severity exhibited significant negative correlations with psychological (r = −0.618, p < 0.05) and environmental (r = −0.503, p < 0.05) domains. Similarly, self-care deficits were significantly associated with reduced quality of life in psychological (r = −0.581, p < 0.05) and environmental (r = −0.412, p < 0.05) domains, whereas pain frequency did not show significant relationships with quality-of-life outcomes. These findings underscore the critical influence of pain intensity and self-care capacity on quality-of-life outcomes among individuals with TN. The study highlights the necessity of integrated, patient-centered interventions focusing on effective pain management, enhancement of self-care practices, and psychosocial support to optimize health outcomes. The results contribute valuable evidence for culturally appropriate nursing interventions and inform clinical practice strategies aimed at improving the well-being of Filipino adults living with TN.