MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were collected through medical records and interview sessions with patients on current pharmacotherapy for hypertension management at baseline and 2-3 months later. Results are expressed as mean ± SD for continuous data and as frequencies and percentages for categorical data.
RESULTS: Among 182 recruited patients, 89 (49%) achieved BP control by the end of the study. Majority (62/89) patients were on single-pill (monotherapy or SPC) antihypertensives. Majority (63/89) required more than two antihypertensives to achieve BP control.
CONCLUSION: Both SPC and free drug combination antihypertensives reduced BPs, but physicians preferred SPC to improve BP control and increase treatment compliance.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed patients who underwent surgical fixation of distal radius fractures between January 2004 to June 2006. Patients were divided into those with (Group 1) and without (Group 0) USFs. Post-operative radiographic parameters, clinical outcomes and overall wrist function were analysed. Outcomes included ulnar-sided wrist pain, extensor carpi ulnaris (ECU) tendinitis, triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) grind test, distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) instability and pain. Overall wrist function was assessed with range of motion and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score.
RESULTS: Our study cohort included 31 males and 23 females, and 38.9% of these patients had concomitant USFs. There was no difference in terms of demographic data and fracture configuration between groups. Radiographic parameters were similar, except for palmar tilt, which was significantly higher in Group 1 (4.6º vs 9.4º, p=0.047). At 24 months, there were no differences in clinical outcomes and overall wrist function. A sub-group analysis showed that mean USF fragment size was larger in patients with a positive TFCC grind test (3.9mm vs 7.3mm, p=0.033).
CONCLUSION: The presence of USFs in surgically managed distal radius fractures does not compromise clinical and functional outcome. Similarly, the size of USFs does not impact clinical and functional outcome but is associated with the presence of a positive TFCC grind test.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 480 students from different faculties in a Malaysian public university participated in this study. They were selected by simple random sampling method. They completed self-administered questionnaires including the Malay Version of Internet Addiction Test (MVIAT)) to measure internet addiction and Adult Self-Report Scale (ASRS) Symptom Checklist, Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) and UCLA Loneliness Scale (Version 3) to assess for ADHD symptoms, depression, anxiety, stress, and loneliness respectively.
RESULTS: The prevalence of IA among university students was 33.33% (n = 160). The respondents' mean age was 21.01 ± 1.29 years old and they were predominantly females (73.1%) and Malays (59.4%). Binary logistic regression showed that gender (p = 0.002; OR = 0.463, CI = 0.284-0.754), ADHD inattention (p = 0.003; OR = 2.063, CI = 1.273-3.345), ADHD hyperactivity (p<0.0001; OR = 2.427, CI = 1.495-3.939), stress (p = 0.048; OR = 1.795, CI = 1.004-3.210) and loneliness (p = 0.022; OR = 1.741, CI = 1.084-2.794) were significantly associated with IA.
CONCLUSION: A third of university students had IA. In addition, we found that those who were at risk of IA were males, with ADHD symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity, who reported stress and loneliness. Preventive strategy to curb internet addiction and its negative sequelae may consider these factors in its development and implementation.
METHODS: After translation and cross-cultural adaptation, interviews were conducted with 326 participants of the Temuan tribe from village Kampung Tering in Johol, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. The instrument's validity was assessed using the scores of MREALD-30, which were compared based on occupation, monthly household income, educational attainment, general literacy, use of dental services, and three dental outcomes. A questionnaire containing socio-behavioral information and validated Malay Oral Health Impact Profile (M-OHIP-14) was also administered. The reliability of the MREALD-30 was assessed by re-administering it to 30 subjects after two weeks. Its correlations evaluated convergent and discriminative validity of MREALD-30 with the level of education and dental visiting habits, monthly household income, respectively. Predictive validity was assessed with M-OHIP-14, while construct validity was evaluated by exploratory factor analysis using the Rasch model.
RESULTS: The internal consistency of the MREALD-30 measured by Cronbach's alpha was 0.89. The test-retest reliability was excellent (ICC 0.95, k = 0.85). MREALD-30 exhibited good construct validity. Rasch analysis showed two factors, and infit mean-square statistics for MREALD-30 were all within the desired range of 0.50-2.0. The discriminant validity and predictive validity were statistically significant (p
METHOD: This interventional cohort pilot study on patients with Eustachian tube dysfunction compared those with nasopharyngeal carcinoma to patients without. Outcome assessment was based on tympanometry type and Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Questionnaire score.
RESULTS: A total of 14 ears (12 patients) were tested. Only 14 per cent of the nasopharyngeal carcinoma cohort showed improvement, while 71 per cent of the non-nasopharyngeal carcinoma group were successfully treated. No significant adverse effect was reported in any patient during this study.
CONCLUSION: Balloon Eustachian tube dilatation was not shown to be beneficial for post-radiotherapy Eustachian tube dysfunction in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients in the preliminary stages of this pilot study.
METHODS: In this cross sectional study, body composition data (weight, height, body fat percentage [% fat], fat mass, fat free mass, visceral fat, waist circumference [WC] and body mass index-for-age [BMI z-score]) and bone health data (Z-score and broadband ultrasound attenuation [BUA]) were collected from 415 schoolchildren aged 9-12 years, cluster sampled from randomly selected primary schools in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
RESULTS: Girls generally had significantly higher height, body fat percentage, fat mass, visceral fat and Z-score as compared to boys. A steady increase of the mean BUA value was observed with increasing age in both sexes. The mean BUA value of the present study across the population was significantly higher than that of schoolchildren from Nigeria (p < 0.001), Colombia (p < 0.001) and Spain (p = 0.002). Significant positive correlations were found between all the body composition variables and bone outcome variables across the population. Further, BUA was significantly correlated with weight (β = 0.172; p = 0.001), height (β = 0.299; p < 0.001), % fat (β = 0.131; p = 0.007), fat mass (β = 0.130; p = 0.007), fat free mass (β = 0.209; p < 0.001), visceral fat (β = 0.127, p = 0.008), WC (β = 0.165; p = 0.001) and BMI z-score (β = 0.162; p = 0.001), after controlling for sex, age and ethnicity. Similarly, after confounders adjusted, Z-score was significantly predicted by weight (β = 0.160; p = 0.001), height (β = 0.310; p < 0.001), % fat (β = 0.104; p = 0.032), fat mass (β = 0.107; p = 0.026), fat free mass (β = 0.218; p < 0.001), visceral fat (β = 0.107, p = 0.026), WC (β = 0.145; p = 0.002) and BMI z-score (β = 0.150; p = 0.002).
CONCLUSIONS: Our findings have revealed that body composition variables were positive correlated with bone outcome variables, suggesting that adipose tissue acts to stimulate bone growth. Further clinical and molecular studies in the future is recommended to fully illustrate the complex interactions between adiposity and bone health.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between July 2011 and February 2015, 155 patients underwent PFNA insertion. The decision on whether to use a short or long PFNA nail, locked or unlocked, was determined by the attending operating surgeon. Visual Analogue Pain Score (VAS) Harris Hip Scores (HHS), Short-form 36 Health Questionnaire (SF-36) and Parker Mobility Scores (PMS) were collected at six weeks, six months and one year post-operatively.
RESULTS: A total of 137 (88.4%) patients were successfully followed-up. Forty-two (30.7%) patients received a short PFNA. The patients were similar in baseline characteristics of age, gender, and comorbidities. Operative time was significantly longer in the short PFNA group (62 ±17 mins) versus the long PFNA group (56±17). While the patients in both groups achieved improvement in all outcome measures, there was no significant difference between the groups in terms of HHS (61.0 ±16.0 vs 63.0 ±16.8, p=0.443), PMS (2.3±1.5 vs 2.7±2.1, p=0.545) and VAS (1.7±2.9 vs 1.8 ±2.2 p=0.454). There were 3 (7.1%) and 7 (7.4%) complications in the short versus long PFNA group, respectively.
CONCLUSION: Both short and long PFNA had similar clinical outcomes and complication rates in the treatment of intertrochanteric fractures in an Asian population.
METHODS: Data were obtained from 18 countries, or functionally self-governing areas, in the Far East, 17 of which were also included in the original study. An online questionnaire was completed by leading CAP professionals in each country. Questions were expanded in the present study to capture the contents of CAP training.
RESULTS: When compared to data from the original study, there has been progress in CAP training systems in the last 5 years. Specifically, there has been an increase in the number of countries with CAP training programs and national guidelines for the training. In addition, the number of CAP departments/divisions affiliated with academic institutions/universities has increased. Findings from 12 of 18 countries in the present study provide data on clinical contents. All informants of the present study reported the need for more child and adolescent psychiatrists and allied professionals.
CONCLUSION: Despite progress in CAP training systems over the last 5 years, the need for more professionals in child and adolescent mental health care in all the relevant areas in this region have yet to be adequately addressed. Continued national efforts and international collaborations are imperative to developing and sustaining new CAP training systems while facilitating improvements in existing programs.
CASE SUMMARY: An adult male presented with sudden anterior neck swelling and bruises on his neck and chest with hoarseness and dysphagia. Clinical assessment and CT scan revealed a thyroid haemorrhage with laryngopharyngeal, neck and chest haematoma. He was intubated for airway protection and given intravenous steroids and antibiotics. He was extubated well after 3 days.
CONCLUSION: Careful prompt management of the patient's airway is of vital importance as worsening haematoma can lead to rapid airway compromise. Acute physicians should be aware of the clinical signs of thyroid haemorrhage, as this rare condition may present to the acute medical take.