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Understanding the role of Facebook to support women with endometriosis: A Malaysian perspective

Wilson S, Mogan S, Kaur K

Int J Nurs Pract, 2020 Aug;26(4):e12833.
PMID: 32189457 DOI: 10.1111/ijn.12833

AIMS: To examine the pertinent issues discussed by endometriosis patients in Malaysia on MyEndosis Facebook group as an alternative platform for online support.
METHODS: Using thematic analysis based on three frameworks, 120 posted messages and comments were examined from MyEndosis Facebook group-a support group for women with endometriosis from January to July 2014.
RESULTS: Results showed the issues discussed were (a) personal struggles, (b) medication and treatment, (c) alternative medication, (d) side effects, and (e) medication recommended by doctors. While using this social medium, users found (a) emotional support, (b) esteem support, (c) information support, (d) network support, and (e) tangible assistance in their engagement with others.
CONCLUSION: The analysis suggested that users' interactions were structured around information, emotion, and community building, which many doctors and nurses were not aware of. The group was shaped as a social network where peer users share social support, cultivate companionship, and exert social influence.
Characteristics of electroencephalogram changes and correlation with seizures in hospitalised patients

Satar SNA, Mogan S, Jaafar WPN, Maghalingam S, Affendi FAR, Ng CF, et al.

Med J Malaysia, 2023 Mar;78(2):149-154.
PMID: 36988523

INTRODUCTION: Electroencephalogram (EEG) is an important investigational tool that is widely used in the hospital settings for numerous indications. The aim was to determine factors associated with abnormal EEG and its clinical correlations in hospitalised patients.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with at least one EEG recording were recruited. The EEG and clinical data were collated.
RESULTS: Two hundred and fifty patients underwent EEG and 154 (61.6%) were found to have abnormal EEG. The abnormal changes consist of theta activity (79,31.6%), delta activity (20, 8%), focal discharges (41,16.4%) and generalised discharges (14, 5.6%). Older patients had 3.481 higher risk for EEG abnormalities, p=0.001. Patients who had focal seizures had 2.240 higher risk of having EEG abnormalities, p<0.001. Low protein level was a risk for EEG abnormalities, p=0.003.
CONCLUSION: This study emphasised that an abnormal EEG remains a useful tool in determining the likelihood for seizures in a hospital setting. The risk factors for EEG abnormality in hospitalised patients were age, focal seizures and low protein level. The EEG may have an important role as part of the workup in hospitalised patients to aid the clinician to tailor their management in a holistic manner.
Impact of Silymarin Supplements on Liver Enzyme Levels: A Systematic Review

Calderon Martinez E, Herrera D, Mogan S, Hameed Z, Jangda AA, Khan TJ, et al.

Cureus, 2023 Oct;15(10):e47608.
PMID: 38021897 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.47608

Silymarin, extracted from milk thistle (Silybum marianum), is esteemed for its antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and antifibrotic properties, notably within liver-related contexts. Nevertheless, a comprehensive grasp of its effects on liver enzymes remains elusive. This systematic review aims to scrutinize the influence of silymarin supplements on liver enzyme levels, elucidating its potential for hepatoprotection. Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, we systematically reviewed pertinent studies in PubMed/MEDLINE (Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online). Our inclusion criteria comprised randomized clinical trials (RCTs) published between 1992 and 2023, accessible in English, with a primary focus on liver enzyme levels. Non-original research, ambiguously defined studies, and those lacking essential data were excluded. Of the 1,707 initially identified articles, 29 RCTs met the inclusion criteria, encompassing 3,846 participants with diverse underlying conditions. Silymarin dosages ranged from 140 mg to 420 mg, administered for various durations. Results revealed that 65.5% of the studies reported reduced liver enzyme levels, 20.7% exhibited no significant change, and 13.8% observed elevated liver enzymes. The systematic review implies a potential advantageous influence of silymarin on liver enzyme levels, indicating its hepatoprotective potential. Nevertheless, outcome disparities may stem from comorbidities, suboptimal doses, and underlying diseases. Notably, silymarin's impact on liver enzymes could be context-dependent, with varying responses among different conditions, with the decrease of liver enzyme levels in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Silymarin supplements exhibit potential for hepatoprotection by ameliorating liver enzyme levels across diverse conditions. Further research should ascertain optimal dosages and contexts, accounting for individual patient characteristics and underlying diseases.
Improving the diagnosis of endometriosis in Asia-Pacific: Consensus from the Asia-Pacific Endometriosis Expert Panel for Endometriosis

Yen CF, Hamdan M, Hengrasmee P, Huang Z, Jeong K, Dao LA, et al.

Int J Gynaecol Obstet, 2023 Dec;163(3):720-732.
PMID: 37837343 DOI: 10.1002/ijgo.15142

Endometriosis should be diagnosed as early as possible in the continuum of care; but substantial delays of approximately 6-8 years between symptom onset and endometriosis diagnosis have been widely reported. With the purpose of improving the prompt diagnosis of endometriosis, the Asia-Pacific Endometriosis Expert Panel (APEX) sought to address the reasons for diagnostic delays across the region, and formulate a multi-pronged approach to overcoming these challenges. In the first instance, clinical diagnosis is preferable to surgical diagnosis, in order to facilitate earlier empirical treatment and minimize the negative sequelae of undiagnosed/untreated disease. There should be a high clinical index of suspicion in women presenting with cyclical symptoms, including those involving extrapelvic organs. Diagnostic delays in Asia-Pacific countries are attributable to a variety of patient, physician, and healthcare factors, including poor awareness, normalization/trivialization of pain, individual/cultural attitudes toward menstruation, default use of symptom-suppressing treatments, misdiagnosis, and a lack of diagnostic resourcing or adequate referral pathways in some areas. Suggested initiatives to reduce diagnostic delays are geared toward improving public awareness, improving clinical diagnostic skills, streamlining multidisciplinary care pathways for timely referral, updating and implementing diagnostic guidelines, lobbying policymakers and insurance companies for endometriosis support, and increasing efforts to bridge data gaps and perform further research in this field. Formulating specific action plans and gathering traction are the responsibility of individual countries within local parameters. The APEX group advocates for any initiatives and policies that support the unmet needs of women with endometriosis, to improve patient experience and outcomes.
Fulltext Anxiety and its risk factors among non-Japanese residents living in Japan undergoing COVID-19 situation: A cross-sectional survey

Luu MN, Imoto A, Matsuo Y, Huy NT, Qarawi A, Alhady STM, et al.

PLoS One, 2024;19(3):e0280144.
PMID: 38489310 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0280144

INTRODUCTION: In the context of collective efforts taken in Japan to control the spread of COVID-19, the state of emergency and social distancing have caused a negative impact on the mental health of all residents, including foreign communities in Japan. This study aimed to evaluate the level of anxiety and its associated factors among non-Japanese residents residing in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic.
METHODS: A web-based survey in 13 languages was conducted among non-Japanese residents living in Japan during the COVID-19 situation. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory assessed the level of anxiety-State (STAI-S) scores prorated from its six-item version. The multivariable logistic regression using the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) method was performed to identify the associated factors of anxiety among participants.
RESULTS: From January to March 2021, we collected 392 responses. A total of 357 valid responses were analyzed. 54.6% of participants suffered from clinically significant anxiety (CSA). In multivariable logistic model analysis, the CSA status or the high level of anxiety was associated with three factors, including having troubles/difficulties in learning or working, decreased sleep duration, and decreased overall physical health (p<0.05).
CONCLUSION: Our study suggests several possible risk factors of anxiety among non-Japanese residents living in Japan undergoing the COVID-19 pandemic, including the troubles or difficulties in learning or working, the decrease in sleep duration, and the decrease in overall physical health.