METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted to include patients with a diagnosis of cHL from 2013 to 2017. Data of demographic and clinical characteristics, treatment regimens, and outcomes were collected and analyzed.
RESULTS: We recruited 94 patients with a median age of 27.0 [interquartile range (IQR), 12] years. Most of the patients were male (61.7%) and 73.4% were ethnic Malay. Nodular sclerosis was the most common histology (77.6%), followed by mixed cellularity (6.4%) and others (16%). The median follow-up time was 28.0 (IQR, 32) months. All patients received chemotherapy but only 13.8% received radiotherapy as consolidation. The doxorubicin-bleomycin-vinblastine-dacarbazine regimen was the most common (85.1%), followed by the escalated bleomycin-etoposide-doxorubicin-cyclophosphamide-vincristineprednisolone-procarbazine regimen (14.9%). Following treatment, 76.1% of patients achieved complete response. The 2-year overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) of the entire cohort were 96.5% and 71.1%, respectively. The 2-year OS and PFS for advanced-stage disease were 93.9% and 62.8%, compared to 100% and 82.7% for early-stage disease, respectively (P=0.252 and P=0.052, respectively).
CONCLUSION: This study provides insight into the clinical presentation and treatment outcomes among patients with cHL in Malaysia. A longer study duration is required to identify OS and PFS benefits and treatment-related complications for different chemotherapeutic regimens.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective observational study was conducted between 1st October 2021 till September 2022 in the state of Johor, Malaysia. 300 patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection were randomly selected and followed up for six months. Data were analysed by using Chi-square test, Fisher's Exact test, Paired t test and Multiple logistic regression.
RESULTS: The prevalence of short-term neuropsychiatric symptoms was 78%, with anosmia being the most prevalent symptom. Long-term symptoms were found in 22.75% of patients, with headache being the most prevalent (p= 0.001). COVID-19 Stage 2 and 3 infections were associated with a higher risk of short-term neuropsychiatric symptoms, OR for Stage 2 infection was 5.18 (95% CI: 1.48-16.97; p=0.009) and for Stage 3 infection was 4.52 (95% CI: 1.76-11.59; p=0.002). Complete vaccination was a significant predictor of longterm symptoms with adjusted OR 3.65 (95% CI 1.22-10.91; p=0.021).
CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that neuropsychiatric symptoms were common among COVID-19 patients in Johor, Malaysia and the risk of these symptoms was associated with the severity of the infection. Additionally, complete vaccination does not completely protect against long-term neuropsychiatric deficits. This is crucial for continuous monitoring and addressing neuropsychiatric symptoms in COVID-19 survivors.