AIMS: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of treatment according to subtypes, compared with empirical proton pump inhibitor (PPI), in the initial treatment of FD.
METHODS: We performed a single-blinded, randomised controlled trial of adults with FD. In the intervention group (treatment according to subtype), patients were categorised into epigastric pain syndrome (treatment esomeprazole); postprandial distress syndrome (PDS; treatment itopride) and overlap (treatment itopride, maintain, add/or switch to esomeprazole at week 4). The control group received esomeprazole only. The primary efficacy outcome was the assessment of global symptom improvement (primary end point: best two points from the 7-point Likert scale) over 8 weeks. Secondary outcomes included assessment of the change in nine individual upper gastrointestinal symptoms, quality of life (Short-Form Nepean Dyspepsia Index) and adverse events.
RESULTS: We randomised 180 patients (median age: 50; 68.7% female 56.7% PDS) 1:1 into intervention and control arms. The percentage of patients achieving the primary efficacy outcome were 74.4% and 72.2%, respectively (p = 0.74). The improvement of individual symptoms in both groups were similar. The SF-NDI improved after treatment in both groups (p
METHODS: This study was conducted in 4 local medical schools. LAUNDERKAP was developed via literature review and had 3 domains: attitude, knowledge, practice. An expert panel assessed the content validity and clarity of wording. LAUNDERKAP was then piloted among 32 medical students. To test construct validity and internal consistency, 362 medical students were approached. Construct validity was assessed using exploratory factor analysis. Internal consistency was evaluated using Cronbach alpha for attitude and practice, while Kuder-Richardson 20 (KR-20) was used for knowledge.
RESULTS: A total of 319 of 362 students responded. Exploratory factor analysis extracted 1 factor each for attitude and knowledge respectively, and 3 factors for practice. Cronbach alpha for attitude was 0.843 while KR-20 for knowledge was 0.457. Cronbach alpha for practice ranged from 0.375 to 0.689. The final LAUNDERKAP contained 32-items (13 attitude, 9 knowledge, 10 practice).
CONCLUSIONS: LAUNDERKAP had adequate psychometric properties and can be used to assess KAP of medical students towards white coat use.
METHODS: A validated, online-based survey was disseminated to 670 students from four Malaysian medical schools via random sampling. Scores were classified into good, moderate, or poor knowledge and practice, and positive, neutral, or negative attitude. Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to analyze the relationship between demographic variables and knowledge, attitude, and practice scores.
RESULTS: A total of 492/670 students responded (response rate: 73.4%). A majority showed negative attitudes (n = 246, 50%), poor knowledge (n = 294, 59.8%), and moderate practice (n = 239, 48.6%). Senior and clinical year students had more negative attitudes. Male students had higher knowledge, while students from private medical schools and preclinical years had better practice. There was a significant relationship between attitude and practice (r = 0.224, P