METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study of 314 adolescents aged 16 years from February 2015 to April 2015 in Putrajaya, Malaysia. The accuracy of self-reporting was assessed using a data collection sheet and was validated by the urine cotinine strip test. Three schools were chosen by the simple random method, where all Form 4 students constituted the sample unit. The kappa statistic was used for determining agreement between self-reporting and urine cotinine strip testing.
RESULTS: There was a substantial agreement between self-reporting and the urine cotinine strip test (kappa = 0.757, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.63, 0.88); there was 95.86% overall agreement. The prevalence of self-reported smoking was 8% (95% CI: 7.47, 8.53) and that of urine cotinine strip testing was 10.8% (95% CI: 10.20, 11.41). There was a discrepancy with the results of the urine cotinine strip test in 8% of self-reported smokers and 3.8% of self-reported nonsmokers. Self-reporting had 67.6% sensitivity and 99.3% specificity as compared to those of urine cotinine strip testing and had 92% positive predictive value and 96.2% negative predictive value.
CONCLUSION: Self-reporting can be used to assess smoking status but should be used with care among adolescents. Urine cotinine strip test validation of self-reporting enables the measurement of the true prevalence of smoking among adolescents.
Methods: We systematically reviewed the PubMed and Web of Science databases for articles reporting on the effectiveness of PEP vaccination against rabies among Asian populations between 2015 and 2019.
Results: Our search identified 11 relevant studies. Majority of study either used PCECV or PVRV type of vaccine, with different regimes and method. All are non-inferior to the other. Most of the studies recorded adequate response by Day 14 of vaccination. Nonetheless, the intradermal (ID) vaccination used minimal volume of vaccine used in all settings, thus cost less and the concurrent administration of RIG to the wound(s) doesn't affect the RVNA GMT response.
Conclusion: PCECV, using either the Essen or Zagreb regimen, might be a useful alternative for the healthy population in the context of PVRV shortage, especially during an outbreak. Use of the Zagreb or Thai Red Cross (TRC) regimens can be considered (either PVRV or PCECV), as both demonstrate good immunogenic outcomes in Asian populations.
Methods: The systematic review searched through two databases of Medline and Cochrane up to 24th June 2017. The search strategy focused on Population, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcomes (PICO). We searched the role of trace elements in cancer and focusing on case-control studies in CRC to obtain an insight into the differences in trace element concentrations between those with and without cancer.
Results: The serum concentrations of Ca, Cu, Mg, Mn, Se, Si, and Zn were lower in CRC patients but for Co and S the levels were higher in CRC patients. The concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Mg, Mn, Pb, and Zn were increased in patients with metastasis, but not in Se. As for colon tissue specimens, inconsistent levels were reported between studies, notably in Cu, Se, and Zn. No changes were reported for B and Ca levels. Most of the trace elements in the tissue specimens showed higher concentrations of Cr, Fe, K, Mg, P, Rb, S, and Si compared to Br.
Conclusion: With the growing interest to understand the link between trace elements in carcinogenesis and the possible interactions, multi assessment analysis of a larger cohort of samples is necessary.
Methods: a cross-sectional study was conducted, using the Kedah audit samples data extracted from the National Diabetes Registry (NDR) from the year 2014 to 2018. A total of 25,062 registered type 2 diabetes mellitus patients were selected using the inclusion and exclusion criteria from the registry. Only patients with complete data on their HbA1C, lipid profile, waist circumference and BMI were analysed using SPSS version 21.
Results: the means for the age, BMI and waist circumference of the samples were 61.5 (±10.85) years, 27.3 (±5.05) kg/m2 and 89.46 (±13.58) cm, respectively. Poor glycaemic control (HbA1c>6.5%) was observed in 72.7% of the patients, with females having poorer glycaemic control. The BMI and waist circumference were found to be significantly associated with glycaemic control (P<0.001). The total cholesterol, triglycerides and low-density lipoproteins values showed positive correlation with glycaemic control (r = 0.178, 0.157, 0.145, p<0.001), while high-density lipoproteins values are negatively correlated (r = -0.019, p<0.001).
Conclusion: implementing lifestyle changes such as physical activity and dietary modifications are important in the management of BMI, waist circumference and body lipids, which in turn results in improved glycaemic control.
Methodology: We conducted a comparative case-control study involving 28 T2DM patients with a history of SH within the last 5 years with no documented ACAD, and matched them with 28 T2DM patients with no history of SH. All subjects underwent coronary artery calcium scoring (CACS) with or without coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) to evaluate the severity of ACAD.
Results: A history of SH in T2DM was associated with a higher prevalence of significant ACAD (79% versus 46%, p=0.026). A high CACS (≥100) was seen in a greater number of patients with a history of SH compared to those without (75% versus 43%, p=0.029). Similarly, there was a higher prevalence of obstructive CAD in those with a history of SH compared to those without (72% versus 39%, p=0.036). Median C-reactive protein level was also higher among patients with a history of SH (0.41 mg/dL versus 0.16 mg/dL, p=0.029).
Conclusion: In patients with T2DM, a history of SH is significantly associated with ACAD compared to those without SH. A history of SH warrants screening for ACAD.
METHODS: A case control study was conducted among 142 newly diagnosed IHD women patients registered in government hospitals in Terengganu, Malaysia and their 1:1 frequency matched population controls. Data on sociodemographic and socioeconomic profile, co-morbidities, lifestyle factors related to physical activities, dietary fat intake, stress, passive smoking history, anthropometric measurements and biochemical markers were obtained.
RESULTS: Middle aged women were recruited with women diagnosed with diabetes (aOR = 1.92, 95% CI: 1.11-3.31), having low HDL-C (aOR = 3.30, 95% CI: 1.28-8.27), those with positive family history of IHD (aOR = 1.92, 95% CI:1.13-3.26) and passive smokers (aOR = 2.99, 95% CI:1.81-4.94) were at higher odds of IHD.
CONCLUSIONS: The findings are useful for public health interventions and policy making focusing on specific women population.
AIM: To determine the association of the behavior factors in relation to ED and to identify the risk and protective factors.
METHOD: A systematic review search based on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis was conducted. The primary databases PubMed, PlosOne, Oxford Academic, SCOPUS, and Ovid were accessed using specific keyword searches. Quality of articles was assessed by using Newcastle-Ottawa Assessment Scale according to the study design.
OUTCOME: Evaluation of the relationship between behavioral factors and ED.
RESULTS: 24 studies were identified from the 5 databases which met the predetermined criteria. Overall, the study population include adult male age between 18 and 80 years. The sample size of the studies ranges from 101 to the largest sample size of 51,329. Smoking, alcohol, and drugs usage are found to be risk factors for ED. Meanwhile, dietary intake, physical activity, and intimacy are the protective factors for ED.
CLINICAL IMPLICATION: The findings from this review may aid clinicians to aim for early detection of ED by screening their risk factors and providing early treatment. This can also be used to promote awareness to the community on the sexual health and factors that can affect their sexual function.
STRENGTH & LIMITATION: This study looks at all types of behavioral factors that may affect ED; however, there was a substantial heterogeneity detected across the selected study factors. Furthermore, the lack of PROSPERO registration is also a limitation in this study.
CONCLUSION: Overall, smoking, dietary intake, alcohol consumption, drugs, and physical activities are modifiable risk factors for ED in men. Therefore, it is crucial to promote healthy lifestyle and empower men to prevent ED and early detection of ED for early treatment. Sivaratnam L, Selimin DS, Abd Ghani SR, et al. Behavior-Related Erectile Dysfunction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Sex Med 2021;18:121-143.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study involving 290 medical undergraduates was conducted in a Malaysian university. The questionnaires on the attitude towards suicide and general help-seeking behavior were used as research instruments.
RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 22.4 years. Participants who did psychiatry posting indicated a greater tendency to agree on suicide as a way of communication (p = 0.008) than those who did not. Participants previously diagnosed with a psychiatric illness indicated a greater ability to understand and accept suicide (p < 0.001) as well as a greater tendency to agree on the normality of suicide (p = 0.019) than those without a previous diagnosis. Those who attended a suicide prevention program also indicated a greater tendency to agree that loneliness and avoidance could be triggers to suicide (p = 0.037) than those who did not. No correlation was found between the "attitude towards suicide" and "general help-seeking behavior" variable.
CONCLUSION: Education programs in suicide prevention and management need to be incorporated early into the undergraduate medical curriculum to cultivate a more positive attitude towards suicide and help-seeking behavior.
METHODS: Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed and Ovid MEDLINE were systematically searched for published articles. Articles were screened based of inclusion and exclusion criteria. The inclusion criteria were: (1) published in 2010-2020, (2) full original article, (3) written in English, (4) qualitative, mixed-methods article, observational or interventional study. The exclusion criteria were: (1) animal study, (2) in vivo/in vitro study, (3) type 1 diabetes or gestational DM and (4) conference abstract, book chapter, report, and systematic review. Eligible articles were assessed using Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) by three assessors.
RESULTS: A total of 11 articles were selected for qualitative synthesis from the initial 620 articles. The issues and challenges seen in T2DM primary prevention followed three themes: healthcare program (sub-themes: lack of resources, community partnership, participation, health literacy), health provider (sub-themes: lack of implementation, health care staff, collaboration, availability), individual (sub-themes: awareness, communication, misbehaviour, family conflict).
CONCLUSION: Factors relating to healthcare programmes, health providers, and individual issues are the main challenges in T2DM primary prevention. By establishing sustainable preventative initiatives that address these issues and challenges in the primary prevention of T2DM, a reduction in T2DM prevalence could be achievable.