Researching Metabolic Syndrome and Quality of Life in Adults, Titi Indriyati Got Doctoral Degree in Epidemiology

Student of the Epidemiology Doctoral Study Program, Faculty of Public Health (FPH) Universitas Indonesia (UI), Titi Indriyati, officially got her Doctorate degree on Tuesday, July 4 2023. This title was won through an open promotion session led by Prof. Dr. dr. Ratna Djuwita Hatma, M.P.H., with Promoter Prof. dr. Asri C. Adisasmita, M.P.H., M.Phil., Ph.D.; and co-promoter Prof. Dr. drg. Mardiati Nadjib, M.Sc., and Prof. Dr. dr. Imam Subekti, Sp. PD-KEMD. Acting as examiner in the doctoral promotion open session was dr. Soewarta Kosen, M.D., M.P.H., Dr. PH.; Dr. dr. Woro Riyadina, M. Kes.; and Dr. dr. Telly Purnamasari, M. Epid.

In her dissertation, Titi researched changes in metabolic syndrome status in adults in Bogor City and its role in quality of life. “Metabolic syndrome is a clinical condition in a person who meets at least 3 (three) of the 5 (five) risk factor criteria, namely central obesity, cholesterol levels, triglyceride levels, hypertension and blood sugar,” said Titi. People with Metabolic Syndrome are 2 (two) times more at risk for death and 3 (three) times for having a heart attack and stroke. This disease can become chronic and can affect the quality of life which in this study focuses on health conditions or diseases in a person’s life or is called the Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL). Quality of life itself is measured by combining 2 (two) questionnaires, namely SF-36 and EQ-5D-5L.

Using 2 (two) types of study designs, Titi processed longitudinal data from the results of repeated measurements in a cohort study of risk factors for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) in Bogor City in 2011-2018. The city of Bogor was chosen due to the high prevalence of NCDs so that it has the potential to become a place for Metabolic Syndrome to develop in the community. As a result, Titi was able to prove that individuals with metabolic syndrome would have a greater risk of having a lower quality of life. This affects physically but not mentally. Through his research, Titi can prove a causal relationship better. This makes his dissertation more meaningful to the world of public health.

Through this research, Titi provides advice to various stakeholders’ which include the Indonesian Ministry of Health’s Health Development Policy Agency (BKPK), Health Social Security Administration Agency (BPJS), and First Level Health Facilities (FKTP). These suggestions include strengthening the Chronic Disease Management Program (Prolanis) by including additional measurements, conducting a needs assessment, strengthening the 5 (five) pillars of the program, and increasing Posyandu activities as the frontline in identifying risk factors for Metabolic Syndrome early in the community.

Titi’s persistence in compiling her dissertation, as well as her sensitivity to the problem of Metabolic Syndrome in Bogor City, led this MH Thamrin University Lecturer to become Dr. Titi Indriyati, S.K.M., M. Epid. Doctor Titi is the 101st doctoral graduate of Epidemiology and the 365th doctoral graduate of FPH UI. (BK)