Objectives: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of depressive disorder
and its association with perceived social support among patients with HIV
attending the Infectious Disease Clinic in HTJS.
Methods: A cross-sectional
study was conducted, and systematic random sampling method was employed
for the selection of participants. Socio-demographic and clinical details were
obtained through a self-rated questionnaire and participants’ medical records.
Depressive disorder was screened and diagnosed using the Mini International
Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I.) and perceived social support was
determined using the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support
(MSPSS). Appropriate statistical analyses were used to determine the prevalence
of depressive disorder and its association with perceived social support.
Results:
A total of 99 patients participated in this study. The mean age of participants
was 38.16 ± 1.01 years, and the majority of participants were male (69.7%). Most
of the participants were Malay (58.6%), followed by Indians (20.2%), Chinese
(17.2%) and others (4.0%). The majority had completed secondary education
(54%), and most were employed (79.8%). Most of the participants were single
(45.5%) or married (45.5%). The lifetime and point prevalence of depressive
disorder was 24.2% and 17.2%, respectively. About 64.7% of patients with
depressive disorder were undiagnosed. Out of the 3 sources of perceived social
support, perceived social support from a significant other (OR=0.53, p=0.042,
Cl=0.29, 0.98) and perceived social support from friends (OR=0.49, p=0.015,
Cl=0.27, 0.87) were found to be negative predictors for depressive disorder.
Conclusion: This study reports that the prevalence disorder among patients with
HIV in HTJS is higher than that of the general population. Patients without
depressive disorder reported significantly higher perceived social support scores.
Perceived social supports from significant others and friends were found to be
important associated factors for lower depressive disorder vulnerability. Hence,
physicians should routinely screen for depressive disorder in this vulnerable
group and explore and mobilize their social support to reduce patients’
vulnerability to develop depressive disorder.
A 27-year old Nepali man presented with a four-day history of fever, vomiting and horizontal diplopia. There was no history of trauma. The patient has esotropia of the left eye or what is commonly known as a squint or strabismus. The squint is an inward squint (synonyms include convergent squint or esodeviation of the eye). Esotropia is a condition where either one or both eyes are turned inward. Congenital esotropia, often seen in infants below six years old, may give rise to amblyopia. Accommodative esotropia is common among patients with moderate amounts of
hypermetropia or hyperopia. Esotropias can be concomitant, where the degree of deviation is independent of the direction of the gaze, or incomitant, where the degree of deviation is influenced by the direction of the gaze. This patient had incomitant esotropia as the squint was revealed when he was asked to look to the left. A comprehensive step-bystep approach to a patient presenting with a squint has been described extensively in literature.
Careful drug history should be elicited from HIV infected patient on ART by the attending primary care physician in order to avoid potential adverse effects from drug-drug interactions. In conclusion, primary care physicians have a significant role in early diagnosis of HIV infected people, ensuring wider access to early ART, ensuring the welfare of health care workers attending to possible HIV positive patients and safe long term follow up of HIV positive patients needing medications for non-HIV related ailments.
This is the photograph of an adult male with Human Immunodeficiency Virus -Hepatitis C virus (HIV-HCV) co-infection. He was on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for HIV infection. The liver function tests showed hypoalbuminemia and elevated serum transaminases while liver ultrasonography showed coarse echotexture compatible with liver cirrhosis.
We report a study which defined the prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) among men with ischaemic heart disease. We recruited 510 men with established ischemic heart disease and interviewed these men using the International Index of Erectile Dysfunction (IIEF-5) questionnaire to determine the presence and severity of ED. Presence of ED was defined as IIEF-5 score of less than 22. The mean age was 60.5 years (range 36-92 years; SD: +9.58). 461 (90.4%) men reported some degree of ED of which two third of them had moderate to severe ED. The prevalence of ED increased significantly with age. Age above 60 years was the only significant risk factor. Non-statistically significant but important risk factors included diabetes, hypertension, diuretics and oral hypoglycemic agents. ED is very common among men with ischemic heart disease. The prevalence and severity increased significantly with age above 60 years old.
Community-based HIV voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) services is an effective alternative for mapping the local demographics of at-risk populations for HIV as well as provide an acceptable and reliable means of early detection of HIV. We describe the profiles of men-who-have-sex-with-men (MSM) who sought VCT services in a community based centre in Kuala Lumpur.
Background: Medical schools are escalating changes
to meet the need for doctors competent to work in the
era of precision medicine. Information on the current
level of awareness of precision medicine among medical
students can help effect the necessary changes in the
medical curriculum. A cross-sectional comparative
study was done to assess the knowledge, attitude and
perception toward the practice of precision medicine
among junior and senior medical students in a medical
school in Malaysia.
Materials and Method: A survey instrument measuring
attitude toward precision medicine, perceived
knowledge of genomic testing concepts, and perception
toward ethical consideration related to precision
medicine, was distributed to junior and senior medical
students. Comparisons were made between senior and
junior medical students.
Results: Only about one-third of the 356 respondents
had heard of precision medicine although 92.7%
expressed interest to learn more about precision
medicine. Overall, junior and senior medical students
had positive attitude toward the adoption of genomeguided
prescribing and precision medicine but were
uncomfortable with their knowledge of genomic testing
concepts. Both junior and senior students were largely
well grounded in their understanding of ethical issues
related to precision medicine.
Conclusions: Knowledge of precision medicine was low
among junior and senior medical students. Although
the students supported the use of precision medicine,
they did not feel adequately prepared to apply genomics
to clinical practice. Their perceptions on ethical issues
related to precision medicine were sound. Seniority did
not appear to influence the perceptions of the students.
Figure 1 is a picture of a 48-year-old male patient who presents with progressive painful enlargement of the areolae of 10 months’ duration. There was no bleeding or nipple discharge. He was diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection 16 months ago and was initiated on antiretroviral therapy (ARV), which consisted of zidovudine, lamivudine and efavirenz. As his CD4 cell count at diagnosis was less than 200 cells/mm3, he was prescribed trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole (Bactrim) for prophylaxis against pneumonia due to pneumocystis jirovecii. Physical examination was unremarkable except for bilateral breast enlargement and right-sided old shingles scar in the T4 dermatome distribution.
A 19-year-old man presented with sudden onset of right eye ptosis, diplopia and giddiness. He had no previous medical illnesses with negative history of exertional dyspnoea, epistaxis, haemoptysis, palpitations, chest pain and chronic cough. Examination revealed central cyanosis, digital clubbing, polycythaemia, partial ptosis of right eye, diplopia on right gaze and dilated right pupil. Examination of the chest revealed pectus excavatum but no cardiac murmurs were heard. Investigations revealed a solitary right pulmonary arteriovenous malformation with two feeder vessels which were successfully embolized surgically.
We describe the HIV risk perception, sexual behavior, and HIV prevalence among 423 men-who-have-sex-with-men (MSM) clients who received voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) services at a community-based center in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The mean age was 29 years old. One hundred one (23.9%) clients rated themselves as low risk, 118 (27.9%) as medium risk, 36 (8.5%) as high risk, and 168 (39.7%) were unsure of their risk. Twenty-four (9.4%) clients tested HIV positive (4 (4%) low risk, 9 (7.6%) medium risk, 11 (30.6%) high risk, and 13 (7.7%) unsure risk). We found a positive correlation between risk perception and HIV infection in this study. Clients with high HIV risk perception have 17x the odds of testing HIV positive compared to low risk clients. High HIV risk perception was significantly associated with multiple sex partners, multiple types of sex partners, alcohol use before intercourse, unprotected sex beyond 6 months, and inconsistent condom use during anal sex compared to low risk clients. There were no statistically significant differences between medium risk and unsure risk clients compared to low risk clients. Strategies should be targeted towards change in sexual practices among those who are perceived to be at high risk.
Concurrent infections with more than one etiological agent can result in an illness with overlapping symptoms, resulting in a situation where the diagnosis and management of such a patient could be challenging. We report a case of vivax malaria in a patient who was also serologically positive for leptospirosis and dengue.
Background: Misinterpretation of abbreviations by healthcare workers has been reported to compromise patient safety. Medical students are future doctors. We explored how early medical students acquired the practice of using abbreviations, and their ability to interpret commonly used abbreviations in medical practice.
Method: Eighty junior and 74 senior medical students were surveyed using a self-administered questionnaire designed to capture demographic data; frequency and reasons for using abbreviations; from where abbreviations were learned; frequency of encountering abbreviations in medical practice; prevalence of mishaps due to misinterpretation; and the ability of students to correctly interpret commonly used abbreviations. Comparisons were made between senior and junior medical students.
Results: Abbreviation use was highly prevalent among junior and senior medical students. They acquired the habit mainly from the clinical notes of doctors in the hospital. They used abbreviations mainly to save time, space and avoid writing in full sentences. The students experienced difficulties, frustrations and often resorted to guesswork when interpreting abbreviations; with junior students experiencing these more than senior students. The latter were better at interpreting standard and non-standard abbreviations. Nevertheless, the students felt the use of abbreviations was necessary and acceptable. Only a few students reported encountering mishaps in patient management as a result of misinterpretation of abbreviations.
Conclusion: Medical students acquired the habit of using abbreviations early in their training. Senior students knew more and correctly interpreted more standard and non-standard abbreviations compared to junior students. Medical students should be taught to use standard abbreviations only.
We describe the findings from a survey assessing the beliefs regarding testing, confidentiality, disclosure, and environment of care and attitudes towards care of people with HIV/AIDS (PLHWA), in 1020, 4th and 5th year medical students, from public and private medical universities in Malaysia. A self-administered validated questionnaire based on the UNAIDS Model Questionnaire with a 5-point Likert scale (5, strongly disagree; 4, disagree; 3, neutral; 2, agree; 1, strongly agree) was used as a survey tool. The survey included demographic data and data on undergraduate training received on HIV/AIDS. Statistical significance in the demographic data and training received by respondents was evaluated using the chi-square test while the independent Student's t-test was used for comparison of means between public and private universities. A P value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant with 95% confidence interval. Our study revealed less than 20% of medical students received adequate training to care for PLHWA. They had prevalent negative beliefs regarding testing, confidentiality, disclosure and environment of care towards PLHWA although in giving care to PLHWA, their attitudes were largely positive and nondiscriminatory.
Study site: 7 public and private universities in Malaysia
Background: The International Medical University (IMU) has an outcome-based curriculum defined by eight major curriculum outcome domains.The attributes, qualities and competencies expected of a health care professional form the basis for these outcome domains. Community service is an effective curriculum delivery tool widely practised by medical universities around the world. We present the results of a survey among IMU students to explore the effectiveness of community service as a curriculum delivery tool in enabling activities defined within the major curriculum outcome domains of IMU.
Methods: A self-administered 6-point Likert scale questionnaire was used to survey student participants of 20 community service events held in a rural village between 2007–2012. The survey tool included questions on demographic data as well as the perception of the students on whether participation in the events enabled them to experience activities defined under the eight major curriculum outcome domains of IMU.The one sample Student t-test was used to test for statistical significance while regression analysis was done to look for significant predictors.
Results: A total of 255 students were surveyed, of which 229 (90.5%) were medical students while the rest were nursing students. Most of the students were in the 3rd (48.2%) and 4th (43.8%) year of their studies and have completed the surgery, internal medicine and family medicine posting. Six out of the 8 curriculum outcomes domains were achieved through participation in the community service programme.
Conclusion: Community service is an effective curriculum delivery tool for the outcome-based curriculum of IMU where activities defined in six out of eight outcome domains were achieved.
We set out to investigate whether neckties worn by doctors are more likely to be contaminated with Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) compared to neckties worn by preclinical medical undergraduates who have never been exposed to a hospital environment. We discovered that more than half (52%) of neckties worn by doctors were contaminated with Staphylococcus and out of these, 62% of them were identified as MRSA. In contrast, none of the student's ties were contaminated with MRSA. Due to the high prevalence of staphylococcus detected on doctors' neckties, we recommend that health care workers do not wear neckties.
We set out to assess the efficacy of radiofrequency-induced intradiscal nucleoplasty in reducing pain in symptomatic patients with MRI-defined lumbar disc herniation and their satisfaction with the procedure. We compared the patients' pain intensity and severity of disability scores before and after undergoing the procedure in a retrospective questionnaire. These patients reported statistically significant reduction of pain intensity and disability level after the procedure. We conclude that radiofrequencyinduced intradiscal nucleoplasty is an acceptable alternative minimally invasive procedure in relieving the symptoms of patients with lumbar disc herniation.
Efavirenz is a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor used in combination with other drugs for the treatment of patients with HIV infection. Efavirenz has been reported to cause a positive urine cannabis test reaction which may create problems between HIV-infected patients on Efavirenz and law enforcement agencies. Doctors are at loss whether to issue documents certifying the potential false positive urine cannabis test with Efavirenz to patients. We investigated if the urine of HIV-infected patients on Efavirenz caused a positive urine cannabis test using the AxSYM Cannabinoids Assay®. Urine samples from 51 eligible patients on Efavirenz were tested for cannabis. All tested negative except for one who had used cannabis the day before. Efavirenz does not cause false positive urine cannabis test with the AxSYM Cannabinoids Assay®. Certification documents from doctors are therefore unnecessary.
CONTEXT: The Palliative Care Outcome Scale (POS) is an easy-to-use assessment tool to evaluate the effectiveness of palliative care. There is no published literature on the use of POS as an assessment tool in Malaysia.
AIM: To define the concordance in the assessment of quality of life between patients with advanced cancers and their palliative care nurses using a Malay version of the POS.
SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This study was conducted in the palliative care unit of the Hospital Tuanku Ja'afar Seremban, Malaysia, from February 2014 to June 2014.
SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We adapted and validated the English version of the 3-day recall POS into Malay and used it to define the concordance in the assessment of quality of life between patients and palliative care nurses. Forty patients with advanced stage cancers and forty palliative care nurses completed the Malay POS questionnaire.
STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: The kappa statistical test was used to assess the agreement between patients and their palliative care nurses.
RESULTS: Slight to fair concordance was found in all items, except for one item (family anxiety) where there was no agreement.
CONCLUSIONS: The Malay version of the POS was well accepted and reliable as an assessment tool for evaluation of the effectiveness of palliative care in Malaysia. Slight to fair concordance was shown between the patients and their palliative care nurses, suggesting the needs for more training of the nurses.