Browse publications by year: 2020

Fulltext Willingness to Use Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV Prevention and PrEP Implementation Preferences Among Transgender Women in Malaysia

Galka JM, Wang M, Azwa I, Gibson B, Lim SH, Shrestha R, et al.

Transgend Health, 2020 Dec;5(4):258-266.
PMID: 33644315 DOI: 10.1089/trgh.2020.0003

Introduction: Transgender women (TW) face one of the highest HIV burdens worldwide. In Malaysia, 12.4% of TW are HIV infected, ∼30-fold higher than in the Malaysian adult population. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a highly effective HIV prevention strategy, however, little is known about TW's willingness to use PrEP or their preferences for receiving PrEP. This study examined the correlates of Malaysian TW's willingness to use PrEP and their attitudes and preferences related to delivery of PrEP and PrEP-related care. Methods: Between June and August 2017, 361 TW in Malaysia completed an online survey about their knowledge of and willingness to use PrEP for HIV prevention. Results: Only 20.2% of participants had ever previously heard of PrEP and none were currently taking PrEP. The majority (82.5%) expressed high willingness to take PrEP and most participants met the World Health Organization (WHO) indication for PrEP (82.3%). In the multivariate model, lifetime hormone use, prior postexposure prophylaxis use, and having completed a high school education were associated with higher willingness to use PrEP, while injection drug use, older age, and Chinese ethnicity were associated with lower PrEP willingness. Conclusion: TW in Malaysia are highly willing to use PrEP for HIV prevention. Differences in willingness to use PrEP identified by education, ethnicity, substance abuse, and age suggest different strategies may be needed to scale-up PrEP for this diverse community of TW.
Fulltext Survey of Dengue Knowledge and Prevention Practices Associated with Sociodemographic Status: A Cross-Sectional Study Among the Community Living in an Urban Area of Selangor, Malaysia

Roslan MA, Ngui R, Vythilingam I, Fatt CK, Soon OP, Keat LC, et al.

J Am Mosq Control Assoc, 2020 06 01;36(2):115-119.
PMID: 33647124 DOI: 10.2987/19-6904.1

The present study aimed to explore the current status of knowledge and practices of dengue prevention associated with sociodemographic status among the community living in an urban area of Selangor, Malaysia. A total of 441 participants were interviewed regarding sociodemographic status, knowledge of dengue, and self-reported prevention practices. Participants over 40 years old were more likely (odds ratio [OR] = 4.210, 95% CI = 1.652-10.733, P = 0.003) to have better dengue knowledge. Participants whose average monthly household income was more than MYR3,000 (US$715) were more likely (OR = 1.607, 95% CI = 1.059-2.438, P = 0.026) to have better practices of dengue prevention measures. The finding suggests that both government and community efforts are essential in order to continue to educate about dengue and reduce the frequency of dengue cases nationwide.

MeSH terms: Adult; Aedes; Animals; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dengue/prevention & control*; Dengue/transmission; Humans; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*; Malaysia; Socioeconomic Factors; Urban Population/statistics & numerical data; Young Adult; Mosquito Vectors
Fulltext Descriptive study on reported medication error among nurses in Queen Elizabeth II Hospital, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. [Abstract]

Chin JG, Tan M, Francis SY, Idris SR, Padtong M, Lotupas K, et al.

Borneo Journal of Medical Sciences, 2020;3(101):7-8.
MyJurnal

Introduction: Medication error is a global issue. Despite, the various impacts on health and non-health, continuous monitoring, assessment and intervention are required to reduce the number of medication error. Precise information on the root cause of medication error in Hospital Queen Elizabeth II, Kota Kinabalu will aid in the preventative measures to reduce medication error among nurses. Thus, this study aims to describe the incident of medication errors among nurses.
Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted to review medication error incidents Reports between 2015 to 2018. Data were analysed according to the type of error, day and shift of medication error occurred, causes and month of services. The collected data were analysed using descriptive statistics in SPSS 22.
Results: A total of 54 reports was reviewed. The mean (SD) month of services among nurses involved in the medication error is 41.3 (24.9) months. The most common type of medication error is the wrong frequency with 23 (42.6%) cases. Majority cases of medication error occurred in weekdays with 41 (75.9%) cases and 24 (44.4%) cases happen during the night shift. Poor communication among healthcare workers was the most commonly reported human error with 42 (77.8%) reports, followed by36 (66.7%) reports of failure to comply standard of procedure in medication administration.
Conclusion: Though this study found team factor is the recurrent causes, poorly designed work systems and individual factor should be imperious as well. A qualitative study is required to understand more on nurse behaviour practice towards medication administration. The high authority plays an important role to monitor this matter to improve medication safety practice.

MeSH terms: Borneo; Health Personnel; Hospitals, General; Humans; Malaysia; Medication Errors; Medication Systems, Hospital; Nurses*
Fulltext Evaluation of the service provision of emergency obstetric care in a tertiary care centre: a clinical audit

Francis Paul, Kent Kong Kian Keong, Jennifer Tan, Anna Lee En Moi, Alen Lim Chung Chieh

Borneo Journal of Medical Sciences, 2020;3(101):5-6.
MyJurnal

Introduction: Maternal death is a sensitive health indicator being monitored closely by the Ministry of Health. Obstetric emergency (OE) protocol is introduced to manage OE and to improve maternal outcome. However, there is no national OE guideline available and the OE protocol varies among different institutions. The current audit aims to evaluate the service quality during OE in Duchess of Kent Hospital (DOKH) in accordance with OE protocol DOKH revision-2017.

MeSH terms: Emergency Service, Hospital; Female; Hospitals; Humans; Maternal Mortality; Pregnancy; Maternal Death
Fulltext Implementation of ambulance hotspot strategy in reducing ambulance response time

Su Na Chin, Phee Kheng Cheah, Muhamad Yaakub Arifin, Hui Shan Kang, Zaturrawiah A Omar, Fouziah Md Yassin, et al.

Borneo Journal of Medical Sciences, 2020;3(101):3-4.
MyJurnal

Ambulance response time (ART) has an inseparable relationship with mortality rates and therefore is important to be reduced. However, an unprecedented increase in road traffic congestion has led to longer ART, especially during peak hours. To reduce ART despite congested traffic, a pre-dispatched ambulance is deployed at hotspot locations during peak hours. This study aims to determine if the hotspot strategy is able to reduce ART in an Urban Emergency Medical Services system.

MeSH terms: Accidents, Traffic; Ambulances; Emergency Medical Services; Hyperemia; Reaction Time
Genome-Wide Association for HbA1c in Malay Identified Deletion on SLC4A1 that Influences HbA1c Independent of Glycemia

Chai JF, Kao SL, Wang C, Lim VJ, Khor IW, Dou J, et al.

J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 2020 Dec 01;105(12).
PMID: 32936915 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgaa658

CONTEXT: Glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level is used to screen and diagnose diabetes. Genetic determinants of HbA1c can vary across populations and many of the genetic variants influencing HbA1c level were specific to populations.
OBJECTIVE: To discover genetic variants associated with HbA1c level in nondiabetic Malay individuals.
DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) analysis for HbA1c using 2 Malay studies, the Singapore Malay Eye Study (SiMES, N = 1721 on GWAS array) and the Living Biobank study (N = 983 on GWAS array and whole-exome sequenced). We built a Malay-specific reference panel to impute ethnic-specific variants and validate the associations with HbA1c at ethnic-specific variants.
RESULTS: Meta-analysis of the 1000 Genomes imputed array data identified 4 loci at genome-wide significance (P

MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Anion Exchange Protein 1, Erythrocyte/genetics*; Blood Glucose/genetics; Blood Glucose/metabolism*; Cross-Sectional Studies; Elliptocytosis, Hereditary/ethnology; Elliptocytosis, Hereditary/genetics; Ethnic Groups/genetics; Ethnic Groups/statistics & numerical data; Female; Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated/genetics*; Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated/metabolism; Humans; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Middle Aged; Polymorphism, Genetic; Singapore/epidemiology; Cohort Studies; Case-Control Studies; Gene Deletion*; Asian Continental Ancestry Group/genetics; Genome-Wide Association Study; Young Adult
Fulltext High prevalence of thyroid antibodies in urban population of Peninsular Malaysia

MA, Shahar, Ahmad Marzuki Omar, N, AB Wahab, N, Sukor, NA, Kamaruddin

IIUM Medical Journal Malaysia, 2020;19(2):3-12.
MyJurnal

INTRODUCTION: Thyroid antibodies are closely related to autoimmune thyroid disorders. To date, there
are no data on the prevalence of these antibodies among the Malaysian population. This study aimed to
determine the prevalence of thyroid antibodies; and the factors associated with thyroid antibodies in the
Malaysian adult population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed in 5 preassigned regions in Peninsular Malaysia. Participants’ sociodemographic profile and medical history were
recorded. Physical examinations were done looking for abnormalities of the thyroid gland and signs of thyroid
dysfunctions. Fifteen mils of blood were withdrawn and analysed for thyroid function, anti-thyroperoxidase
(anti-TPO) and anti-thyroglobulin (anti-TG) antibodies at a central laboratory. RESULTS: Among the total of
2190 respondents, the overall prevalence of positive anti-TPO and anti-TG antibodies were 12.2% and 12.1%,
respectively; mainly found in urban and coastal areas. Only 7% to 9% of those with positive anti-TPO or antiTG antibodies had either hypo- or hyperthyroidism. The predictors for positive anti-TPO antibody were
female [adjusted OR 1.7 (95%CI: 1.2–2.4); p=0.001], Indian [adjusted OR 1.9 (95%CI: 1.1–3.1); p=0.020], and
having a goitre [adjusted OR 1.8 (95%CI: 1.2–2.8), p=0.004]. The predictors of positive anti-TG antibody was
female [adjusted OR 2.3 (95%CI: 1.6–3.3); p

MeSH terms: Adult; Autoantibodies; Autoantigens; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Goiter; Humans; Hyperthyroidism; Iodide Peroxidase; Laboratories; Malaysia; Physical Examination; Surveys and Questionnaires; Prevalence; Iron-Binding Proteins
Fulltext Editorial

Mohd Yusof Ibrahim, Sadia Choudhury Shimmi

Borneo Journal of Medical Sciences, 2020;3(101):0-0.
MyJurnal

Sabah Research Day 2019

MeSH terms: Malaysia
The differences of patient satisfaction level in public and private hospitals in Makassar, Indonesia

Akbar FH, Rivai F, Awang AH

Enferm Clin, 2020 10;30 Suppl 6:165-169.
PMID: 33040892 DOI: 10.1016/j.enfcli.2020.06.038

OBJECTIVE: To know the difference in patient satisfaction level in the dental department of public hospitals and private hospital in Makassar.
METHODS: This study was conducted in December 2017-February 2018 in the dental department of Labuang Baji, which is a government hospital and Ibnu Sina Hospital, which is a private hospital. The samples were all patients who received dental treatment. Patient satisfaction was measured using a questionnaire (PSQ-18). Data were tested using Independent T-Test and ANOVA using SPSS version 24.
RESULTS: There were significant differences in accessibility, comfort, and communication between the public and private hospitals (p<0.05); the average value of patient satisfaction was higher in private hospitals.
CONCLUSION: Patients in private hospitals are more satisfied with the health services provided by health care providers, compared to patients in public hospitals.

MeSH terms: Hospitals, Public; Humans; Indonesia; Surveys and Questionnaires; Hospitals, Private*; Patient Satisfaction*
Fulltext Sinensetin: An Insight on Its Pharmacological Activities, Mechanisms of Action and Toxicity

Han Jie L, Jantan I, Yusoff SD, Jalil J, Husain K

Front Pharmacol, 2020;11:553404.
PMID: 33628166 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.553404

Sinensetin, a plant-derived polymethoxylated flavonoid found in Orthosiphon aristatus var. aristatus and several citrus fruits, has been found to possess strong anticancer activities and a variety of other pharmacological benefits and promising potency in intended activities with minimal toxicity. This review aims to compile an up-to-date reports of published scientific information on sinensetin pharmacological activities, mechanisms of action and toxicity. The present findings about the compound are critically analyzed and its prospect as a lead molecule for drug discovery is highlighted. The databases employed for data collection are mainly through Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus and Science Direct. In-vitro and in-vivo studies showed that sinensetin possessed strong anticancer activities and a wide range of pharmacological activities such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-obesity, anti-dementia and vasorelaxant activities. The studies provided some insights on its several mechanisms of action in cancer and other disease states. However, more detail mechanistic studies are needed to understand its pharmacological effects. More in vivo studies in various animal models including toxicity, pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic and bioavailability studies are required to assess its efficacy and safety before submission to clinical studies. In this review, an insight on sinensetin pharmacological activities and mechanisms of action serves as a useful resource for a more thorough and comprehensive understanding of sinensetin as a potential lead candidate for drug discovery.

MeSH terms: Animals; Anti-Infective Agents; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Antioxidants; Biological Availability; Citrus; Data Collection; Flavonoids; Neoplasms; Vasodilator Agents; Bibliometrics; Models, Animal; Orthosiphon; PubMed; Drug Discovery
Fulltext Utilisation, Availability and Price Changes of Medicines and Protection Equipment for COVID-19 Among Selected Regions in India: Findings and Implications

Haque M, Kumar S, Charan J, Bhatt R, Islam S, Dutta S, et al.

Front Pharmacol, 2020;11:582154.
PMID: 33628172 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.582154

Background: COVID-19 has already claimed a considerable number of lives worldwide. However, there are concerns with treatment recommendations given the extent of conflicting results with suggested treatments and misinformation, some of which has resulted in increased prices and shortages alongside increasing use and prices of personal protective equipment (PPE). This is a concern in countries such as India where there have been high patient co-payments and an appreciable number of families going into poverty when members become ill. However, balanced against pricing controls. Community pharmacists play a significant role in disease management in India, and this will remain. Consequently, there is a need to review prices and availability of pertinent medicines during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in India to provide future direction. Objective: Assess current utilisation and price changes as well as shortages of pertinent medicines and equipment during the early stages of the pandemic. Our Approach: Multiple approach involving a review of treatments and ongoing activities across India to reduce the spread of the virus alongside questioning pharmacies in selected cities from early March to end May 2020. Our Activities: 111 pharmacies took part, giving a response rate of 80%. Encouragingly, no change in utilisation of antimalarial medicines in 45% of pharmacies despite endorsements and for antibiotics in 57.7% of pharmacies, helped by increasing need for a prescription for dispensing. In addition, increased purchasing of PPE (over 98%). No price increases were seen for antimalarials and antibiotics in 83.8 and 91.9% of pharmacies respectively although shortages were seen for antimalarials in 70.3% of pharmacies, lower for antibiotics (9.9% of pharmacies). However, price increases were typically seen for PPE (over 90% of stores) as well as for analgesics (over 50% of pharmacies). Shortages were also seen for PPE (88.3%). Conclusion: The pandemic has impacted on utilisation and prices of pertinent medicines and PPE in India but moderated by increased scrutiny. Key stakeholder groups can play a role with enhancing evidenced-based approaches and reducing inappropriate purchasing in the future.
Fulltext Rapid Assessment of the Potential Paucity and Price Increases for Suggested Medicines and Protection Equipment for COVID-19 Across Developing Countries With a Particular Focus on Africa and the Implications

Sefah IA, Ogunleye OO, Essah DO, Opanga SA, Butt N, Wamaitha A, et al.

Front Pharmacol, 2020;11:588106.
PMID: 33628173 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.588106

Background: Countries across Africa and Asia have introduced a variety of measures to prevent and treat COVID-19 with medicines and personal protective equipment (PPE). However, there has been considerable controversy surrounding some treatments including hydroxychloroquine where the initial hype and misinformation led to shortages, price rises and suicides. Price rises and shortages were also seen for PPE. Such activities can have catastrophic consequences especially in countries with high co-payment levels. Consequently, there is a need to investigate this further. Objective: Assess changes in utilisation, prices, and shortages of pertinent medicines and PPE among African and Asian countries since the start of pandemic. Our approach: Data gathering among community pharmacists to assess changes in patterns from the beginning of March until principally the end of May 2020. In addition, suggestions on ways to reduce misinformation. Results: One hundred and thirty one pharmacists took part building on the earlier studies across Asia. There were increases in the utilisation of principally antimalarials (hydroxychloroquine) and antibiotics (azithromycin) especially in Nigeria and Ghana. There were limited changes in Namibia and Vietnam reflecting current initiatives to reduce inappropriate prescribing and dispensing of antimicrobials. Encouragingly, there was increased use of vitamins/immune boosters and PPE across the countries where documented. In addition, generally limited change in the utilisation of herbal medicines. However, shortages have resulted in appreciable price increases in some countries although moderated in others through government initiatives. Suggestions in Namibia going forward included better planning and educating patients. Conclusion: Encouraging to see increases in the utilisation of vitamins/immune boosters and PPE. However, concerns with increased utilisation of antimicrobials needs addressing alongside misinformation, unintended consequences from the pandemic and any appreciable price rises. Community pharmacists and patient organisations can play key roles in providing evidence-based advice, helping moderate prices through improved stock management, and helping address unintended consequences of the pandemic.
Fulltext Application of Plasmonic Metal Nanoparticles in TiO2-SiO2 Composite as an Efficient Solar-Activated Photocatalyst: A Review Paper

Joseph CG, Taufiq-Yap YH, Musta B, Sarjadi MS, Elilarasi L

Front Chem, 2020;8:568063.
PMID: 33628762 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2020.568063

Over the last decade, interest in the utilization of solar energy for photocatalysis treatment processes has taken centre-stage. Researchers had focused on doping TiO2 with SiO2 to obtain an efficient degradation rate of various types of target pollutants both under UV and visible-light irradiation. In order to further improve this degradation effect, some researchers resorted to incorporate plasmonic metal nanoparticles such as silver and gold into the combined TiO2-SiO2 to fully optimize the TiO2-SiO2's potential in the visible-light region. This article focuses on the challenges in utilizing TiO2 in the visible-light region, the contribution of SiO2 in enhancing photocatalytic activities of the TiO2-SiO2 photocatalyst, and the ability of plasmonic metal nanoparticles (Ag and Au) to edge the TiO2-SiO2 photocatalyst toward an efficient solar photocatalyst.

MeSH terms: Doping in Sports; Environmental Pollutants; Gold; Light; Silicon Dioxide; Silver; Solar Energy; Sunlight; Titanium; Metal Nanoparticles
Fulltext Diabetic foot care practice and its associated factors among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients attending primary health clinics in Kuantan, Malaysia: a cross sectional study

NH Azmi, Azwanis Abdul Hadi, Mohd Aznan Md Aris, E Nasreen, Hashima

IIUM Medical Journal Malaysia, 2020;19(2):13-19.
MyJurnal

INTRODUCTION: One of the most important and debilitating complication of diabetes mellitus is foot
problem such as ulcers, infections and amputations. However, these complications are preventable by simple
intervention such as regular foot care practice. This study aims to assess the foot care practice and its
associated factors among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients attending primary health clinics in Kuantan.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at four primary health clinics in
Kuantan involving 450 study participants who were selected by using universal sampling method. Level of
awareness and practice toward diabetic foot care was assessed using validated self-administered
questionnaire. Multiple logistic regressions were performed to identify factors associated with poor foot care
practice among the respondents. RESULTS: About 59.6% of respondents had poor foot care practice and
50.9% had poor awareness level. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified that, increasing age
(OR 0.97, 95% CI: 0.955-0.993) and good awareness towards foot problem (OR 0.43, 95%CI: 0.289-0.643)
were less likely to have poor foot care practice. However, Malay ethnicity (OR 1.81, 95% CI: 1.002-3.271) and
obesity (OR 1.9, 95% CI: 1.225-2.976) were associated with poor foot care practice after controlling other
variables. CONCLUSION: Majority of the respondents had poor foot care practice and poor awareness.
Respondents who are older and have better awareness are less likely to have poor foot care practice.
Diabetic patients who are Malays and/or obese are predicted to have poor diabetic foot practice and hence
must be prioritized for a sustainable patient education and compliance towards foot care practice at primary
care level.

MeSH terms: Amputation; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Ethnic Groups; Foot; Foot Diseases; Humans; Malaysia; Obesity; Patient Education as Topic; Surveys and Questionnaires; Ulcer; Logistic Models; Diabetic Foot
Fulltext Covid-19 : providing rehabilitation care in the time of pandemic

Salmah Anim Abu Hassan

IIUM Medical Journal Malaysia, 2020;19(2):35-37.
MyJurnal

In the wake of COVID-19 infection in the world, it is
more devastating when a developing country is
affected. Fortunately, due to coordinated infection
control measures in Malaysia, the national morbidity
and mortality rate is kept low. As of May 6th 2020,
22 patients required intensive care and the mortality
rate was 1.66%.1
The majority of patients contracted
a milder form of the disease.

MeSH terms: Urinary Bladder Diseases; Critical Care; Developing Countries; Humans; Malaysia; Morbidity; Physiological Phenomena
Fulltext Chronic low dose organic arsenic induced liver structural damage

Shahida S, Nor Zamzila A, Norlelawati AT, Jamalludin AR, Azliana AF, Zunariah Buyong

IIUM Medical Journal Malaysia, 2020;19(1):37-44.
MyJurnal

Introduction: Over the decades, organic arsenic has been thought to be less toxic than inorganic arsenic.
Monosodium methylarsonate (MSMA) is a potent organoarsenical herbicide that is still being used in most
Asian countries. Reported studies on the effects of organic arsenic are mainly to the gastrointestinal system,
however there are limited research on its impacts to the liver. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the
effect of MSMA exposure on hepatocytes and liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSEC). Materials and Methods:
Fourteen Sprague Dawley rats (n=14) were divided equally into arsenic-exposed (n=7) and control (n=7)
groups. The rats in arsenic-exposed group were given MSMA at 63.20 mg/kg daily for 6 months through oral
gavage. While the rats in control group were given distilled water ad libitum. At the end of the duration,
they were euthanized and underwent liver perfusion for tissue preservation. Liver tissues were harvested and
processed for light microscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The findings were analysed
descriptively. Results: MSMA had caused necrotic and apoptotic changes to the liver. Normal organelles
morphology were loss in the hepatocytes while LSEC revealed defenestration. Conclusion: In this study,
chronic low dose organic arsenic exposure showed evidence of toxicity to hepatocytes. Interestingly, LSEC
demonstrated capillarization changes.

MeSH terms: Animals; Arsenic; Arsenicals; Asia; Herbicides; Liver; Perfusion; Tissue Preservation; Water; Organelles; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Hepatocytes; Control Groups; Endothelial Cells; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; Rats
Fulltext Good recovery of prostate carcinoma with spine metastases to t9 following laminectomy

Muhammad Wafiuddin

Borneo Journal of Medical Sciences, 2020;14(1):61-66.
MyJurnal

Prostate carcinoma is a common health issue that can metastasise in the spine. A 65-year-old male was diagnosed with prostate carcinoma and two years later he developed a progressive neurological deficit over the bilateral lower limb. He experienced severe back pain, became paraplegic and the quality of life was severely impaired. Radiographic investigations were done and revealed osteoblastic bone metastasis at thoracic vertebrae with spinal cord compression. The patient underwent surgical decompression surgery at the T9 level mainly for pain control. Six months post-surgery not only the pain was well controlled but patient able to ambulate with walking aid. It is a rare post-operative result as the neurological recovery in a patient with complete paralysis is less than 3%. This type of recovery is possible when the cause of the neurological deficit is mainly mechanical compression from tumour rather than cord ischaemia from traumatic injury.

MeSH terms: Aged; Back Pain; Carcinoma; Humans; Ischemia; Male; Paraplegia; Prostate; Quality of Life; Spinal Cord Compression; Thoracic Vertebrae; Walking; Decompression, Surgical; Lower Extremity
Fulltext Improvement in Quality of Life after Myomectomy

Ehab Helmy Abdel Malek Fahmy, Constance Liew Sat Lin, Alvin Oliver Payus, Rhanye Mac Guad, May Zaw Soe, Satishratnam Nagaratnam, et al.

Borneo Journal of Medical Sciences, 2020;14(1):55-59.
MyJurnal

Dysmenorrhea is one of the leading causes of pelvic pain and menstrual disorder among women during childbearing age. The burden of dysmenorrhea is greater than any other gynaecological complaint. Some women have severe dysmenorrhea which renders them incapacitated for days each menstrual cycle requiring absence from study or duty, frequently requiring pain killer, restriction of daily performance, poor sleep, negative moods such as anxiety and depression. A 31-year-old female presented with severe dysmenorrhea and heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) as a cause of multiple uterine fibroids, underwent surgeries to remove 100 fibroids from her uterus which has improved her quality of life, eliminating her dysmenorrhea and menstrual abnormalities

MeSH terms: Adult; Anxiety; Anxiety Disorders; Depression; Dysmenorrhea; Female; Humans; Leiomyoma; Menorrhagia; Menstrual Cycle; Menstruation Disturbances; Quality of Life; Sleep; Pelvic Pain
Fulltext A double-edged sword: a case report on liver injury side-effect of anti-tuberculosis drug on liver tuberculosis patient

Azlina Ibrahim, Alvin Oliver Payus

Borneo Journal of Medical Sciences, 2020;14(1):49-53.
MyJurnal

Hepatic involvement in extra-pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is rare, even in the endemic area. It has a high mortality rate as it can easily be misdiagnosed due to its rarity and non-specific presentations, and the treatment can be challenging for its hepatotoxic side-effect. A 55-year old man who was newly diagnosed with AIDS and pulmonary TB which complicated with anti-TB-induced transaminitis, presented with a few weeks history of fever and persistent diarrhoea. It was initially treated as microsporidia infection but the symptoms persisted despite given antiparasitic agent for more than a week. He was subjected to computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen and noted multiple hypoechoic lesion at multiple segments of the liver, which later confirmed to be liver TB by liver biopsy. As he could not tolerate Akurit-4 (Rifampicin 150 mg, Isoniazid 75 mg, Pyrazinamide 400 mg and Ethambutol 275 mg), the second-line treatment was given instead. He is currently well on regular clinic appointment. The objective of this case report is to share the rare occurrence of hepatic TB and the difficulty to treat it as the hepatotoxic effect of anti-TB medications complicate the liver damage due to the infection.

MeSH terms: Abdomen; Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; Antiparasitic Agents; Biopsy; Diagnostic Errors; Diarrhea; Ethambutol; Humans; Isoniazid; Male; Middle Aged; Pyrazinamide; Rifampin; Tomography; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Tuberculosis; Tuberculosis, Hepatic; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary; Microsporidiosis
Has it come to the time to recommend routine use of alirocumab in patients with acute coronary syndrome?

Kow CS, Zaihan AF, Hasan SS

Eur J Prev Cardiol, 2020 Dec 28.
PMID: 33624099 DOI: 10.1093/eurjpc/zwaa148

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