Abstract
Chronic diseases are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Lebanon, straining the healthcare system. Patient empowerment is recognized as a strategy to enhance self-management and outcomes. This study aimed to develop and validate a Patient Empowerment Outcomes (PEO) scale adapted to Lebanon and to examine associated factors. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 640 adults with chronic conditions using structured face-to-face interviews. The questionnaire included sociodemographic and behavioral items, along with four validated tools: the focused Patient Assessment of Chronic Illness Care (fPACIC), General Practice Interpersonal Care (GPIC), Health Empowerment and Self-Management (HESM), and the new PEO scale. Higher PEO scores were significantly associated with older age (B = 0.102, p = 0.002), proactive behaviors (B = 5.486, p = 0.001), and higher GPIC (B = 0.319, p < 0.0001), HESM (B = 0.681, p < 0.0001), and fPACIC (B = 0.104, p = 0.037) scores. Negative associations included greater medication burden (B = − 0.395, p = 0.029) and health fatalism (B = − 1.406, p = 0.008). The PEO scale is a valid, culturally adapted tool to assess empowerment in Lebanese patients with chronic diseases. Findings highlight the role of communication, self-management, and informed decision-making in guiding patient-centered interventions and policies.
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The datasets generated and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
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All authors contributed to the conception and design of the study. J.S., Fa.S., M.D., and M.A. performed material preparation. J.S., L.T., Fo.S., and I.F. performed the data collection. J.S. performed data analysis under the supervision of P.S.. The first draft of the manuscript was written by J.S., M.R., A.H., M.A., R.K., and R.M.Z.. H.S. critically reviewed and edited the manuscript. All authors commented on the drafts of the manuscript and read and approved the final version.
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This study was performed in line with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. The Ethics and Research Committee at the Lebanese International University approved the project (Approval number: 2023RC-013-LIUSOP).
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Safwan, J., Dabbous, M., Saade, F. et al. Patient empowerment outcomes in chronic disease care in Lebanon with validation of a measurement scale and associated determinants. Sci Rep (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-35380-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-35380-1


