MyMedR

Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 174 in total

Abstract:

Sort:

Fulltext A qualitative exploration of Malaysian doctors' perceptions towards complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) [Abstract]

Farooqui M, Othman CN, Hassali AA, Saleem F, Ul Haq N, Sadeeqa S

Value Health, 2014 Nov;17(7):A789.
PMID: 27202944 DOI: 10.1016/j.jval.2014.08.425

Objectives: The study aims to assess doctors’ perceptions towards Complementary and Alternative Medicines (CAM) in their medical practice, factors that affect the referral of CAM and suggestions to improve CAM in medical practice.
Methods: A qualitative research approach was adopted to gain a better understanding of the current perceptions and practice held by doctors’ within their medical professions. In order to gain a wide perspective of the issue, eleven doctors were purposively selected who were working in academics, hospitals and in the community health clinics. Participants were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide. A saturation point was reached after the 10th interview, and no new information emerged with the subsequent interviews. All interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed by means of a standard content analysis framework.
Results: The doctors expressed a range of views on CAM that can be divided into two major themes: doctors’ knowledge and understanding towards CAM and doctors’ viewpoint on CAM in their professional practice. A key factor which affected doctor’s perspectives on CAM was the lack of scientific evidences. The attitudes on CAM were basically shaped based on their personal CAM use rather than knowledge gained during an academic course. Lack of knowledge on CAM was also attributing to the doctors’ reluctance in CAM discussion with their patients. Though addition of CAM courses into the medical curriculum was proposed by some of the doctors; the practical implication was criticized as some found medical curriculum heavily packed with the biomedical courses.
Conclusions: Majority of the doctors in this study were skeptical and uncertain about CAM due to lack of scientific evidence. Doctor-patient communication on CAM can only be improved when doctors’ knowledge on CAM can be improved by providing necessary training on CAM.

Matched MeSH terms: Complementary Therapies
Complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) among diabetes patients: a prospective study from Pakistan [Abstract]

Iqbal MS, Iqbal MZ, Iqbal MW, Bahari MB

Value Health, 2015 Nov;18(7):A620.
PMID: 26533480 DOI: 10.1016/j.jval.2015.09.2170

Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence and patterns of CAM use among diabetes patients in Pakistan. In addition, the study also focused on the perceived effectiveness of CAM over conventional therapies, information seeking behavior and CAM disclosure to healthcare providers.
Methods: A prospective, cross-sectional and self-administered questionnaire based study was conducted in tertiary care public hospitals in Pakistan. A prevalence based sample of 350 diabetes patients attending the tertiary hospital in Punjab, Pakistan were selected for the study. All obtained data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.
Results: Overall, 327 questionnaires were completed and included in the analysis, showing that 52.8% of diabetics had used CAM, with most (62.4%) believing that CAM therapies assist body’s natural forces to heal. CAM usage was significantly associated with gender (P=0.001), level of education (P=0.001), employment status (P=0.03) and monthly income (P<0.001).
Conclusions: Diabetes treatment and management requires compliance to effective therapies at early stages. Healthcare providers should engage diabetics in an open non-judgmental dialogue to ascertain better understanding of diabetes and its management options.

Matched MeSH terms: Complementary Therapies*
Use of complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) in diabetics patients In Quetta [Abstract]

Ul Haq N, Saeed S, Iqbal Q, Naseem A, Razaq G, Farooqui M

Value Health, 2015 Nov;18(7):A865.
PMID: 26534631 DOI: 10.1016/j.jval.2015.09.516

Objectives: The current study aimed to determine the prevalence of Complementary and Alternative Medicines (CAM) and its types used in diabetes patients in Quetta, Pakistan.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was undertaken with diabetes patients, attending different government and private hospitals and clinic of Quetta city, Pakistan. A self-administered questionnaire containing 16 questions (5 questions related with disease and remaining questions were for information regarding CAM use). Descriptive statistics were applied to evaluate the patient’s demographics. Inferential statistics were used to fine the association between demographics characteristics and CAM (p<0.05).
Results: A total of 500 questionnaires were distributed and 451 were returned (with response rate of 90.2%). Out of 451 patients 148 (32.8%) used CAM for the diabetes treatment, out of which 87 (58.8%) were females and 61 (41.2%) were males. Most of the participants were uneducated 51 (34.5%) and belongs to large families 89 (60.1%). Fifty (33.8%) participants were using mind body intervention, followed by alternative medical system (33.1%) and herbal products (31.8%) respectively for treatment of diabetes. Type of family, monthly income and per month medicine cost were significant associated (p<0.05) with CAM use.
Conclusions: The current study indicated that diabetes patients used mind body intervention, alternative medical system and herbal products are the most common CAM type used for diabetes control. Further research is recommended to evaluate the diabetes control in patients with CAM used.

Matched MeSH terms: Complementary Therapies*
Fulltext Catharanthus roseus aqueous extract is cytotoxic to Jurkat Leukaemic T-cells but Induces the proliferation of normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells

Nor Hazwani Ahmad, Rohanizah Abdul Rahim, Ishak Mat

Trop Life Sci Res, 2010;21(2):-.
MyJurnal

Research on natural products has been widely used as a strategy to discover new drugs with potential for applications in complementary medicines because they have fewer side effects than conventional drugs. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the in vitro cytotoxic effects of crude aqueous Catharanthus roseus extract on Jurkat cells and normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The aqueous extract was
standardised to vinblastine by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and was used to determine cytotoxicity by the MTS [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium] assay. DNA fragmentation assay was employed to determine if cell death was due to apoptosis. The results showed that the aqueous extract induced cell death of Jurkat cells at 24, 48 and 72 hours posttreatment in a time- and dose-dependent manner. However, cells treated at 48 and 72 hours produced higher cytotoxic effects with half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50)values of 2.55 µg/ml and 2.38 µg/ml, respectively. In contrast, the extract induced normal PBMC proliferation, especially after 24 hours treatment with 1000 µg/ml. This result indicates that the C. roseus crude aqueous extract showed differential effects of inhibiting the proliferation of the Jurkat cell line and promoting the growth of PBMCs. These data suggest that the extract may be applicable for modulating the normal and transformed immune cells in leukaemia patients.

Matched MeSH terms: Complementary Therapies
Unlicensed medical practice in West Malaysia

Chen PC

Trop Geogr Med, 1971 Jun;23(2):173-82.
PMID: 4327992
Matched MeSH terms: Complementary Therapies*
Complementary treatment of psychotic and epileptic patients in malaysia

Razali SM, Yassin AM

Transcult Psychiatry, 2008 Sep;45(3):455-69.
PMID: 18799643 DOI: 10.1177/1363461508094676

The objective of this article is to describe and compare the use of traditional/complementary medicine (T/CM) among psychotic (schizophrenia and schizophreniform disorder) and epileptic Malay patients in peninsular Malaysia. There were 60 patients in each group. T/CM consultation was uniformly spread across all levels of education and social status. We could not find a single over-riding factor that influenced the decision to seek T/CM treatment because the decision to seek such treatment was complex and the majority of decisions were made by others. Fifty-three patients (44.2%), consisting of 37 (61.7%) psychotic and 16 (26.7%) epileptic patients had consulted Malay traditional healers (bomoh) and/or homeopathic practitioners in addition to modern treatment; of these, only three had consulted bomoh and homeopathic practitioners at the same time. The use of T/CM was significantly higher in psychotic than in epileptic Malay patients.

Matched MeSH terms: Complementary Therapies*
Some beliefs and practices affecting the health of the aborigines (Orang Asli) of Bukit Lanjan, West Malaysia

Foong-San S

Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 1972 Jun;3(2):267-76.
PMID: 4343262
Matched MeSH terms: Complementary Therapies
Fulltext Perception of integrating complementary and alternative medicine practice in patient's treatment among the healthcare practitioners: a systematic review

Aizuddin AN, Zamzuri M'IA, Mansor J, Nurumal SR, Yunus SZSA, Razak MAA, et al.

Pan Afr Med J, 2022;43:19.
PMID: 36451723 DOI: 10.11604/pamj.2022.43.19.31133

There is a growing trend in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) usage among the population with medical conditions. However, there is hesitancy for medical practitioners to integrate its application with the current treatment modality, despite governance by the authority. Hence, our objective is to systematically evaluate the healthcare perception towards integrating CAM in their practices. We systematically searched three large and renowned databases i.e., Scopus, Web of Science and PubMed, regarding "Perception on Integrating CAM Usage in Patient's Treatment among Healthcare Practitioners" from 2016 until 2020. At least two independent reviewers comprehensively screened and extracted the data from the accepted articles. A total of 15 studies were included in the final qualitative synthesis following a strict and rigorous assessment checked using MMAT 2018 checklist. The studies included providing the richness of information due to the qualitative nature of the study design. There were three main domains extracted i.e. knowledge, attitude, and perspective of the healthcare practitioner towards CAM integration. Limited knowledge of CAM among healthcare providers may be the possible main reason for non-supportive attitude and negative perspective on CAM. However, those who showed an inclination towards CAM were found to be more open and ready to learn about CAM if it provides benefits to the patients. There is a heterogeneity of perception towards CAM integration from healthcare providers' point of view. A proactive and systematic CAM literacy awareness program may help to improve their understanding and possibly gain more trust in its application.

Matched MeSH terms: Complementary Therapies*
Fulltext A review of breast cancer research in Malaysia

Yip CH, Bhoo Pathy N, Teo SH

Med J Malaysia, 2014 Aug;69 Suppl A:8-22.
PMID: 25417947 MyJurnal

Four hundred and nineteen articles related to breast cancer were found in a search through a database dedicated to indexing all original data relevant to medicine published in Malaysia between the years 2000-2013. One hundred and fifty four articles were selected and reviewed on the basis of clinical relevance and future research implications. Overall, Malaysian women have poor survival from breast cancer and it is estimated that half of the deaths due to breast cancer could be prevented. Five-year survival in Malaysia was low and varies among different institutions even within the same disease stage, suggesting an inequity of access to optimal treatment or a lack of compliance to optimal treatment. Malaysian women have poor knowledge of the risk factors, symptoms and methods for early detection of breast cancer, leading to late presentation. Moreover, Malaysian women experience cancer fatalism, belief in alternative medicine, and lack of autonomy in decision making resulting in delays in seeking or avoidance of evidence-based medicine. There are ethnic differences in estrogen receptor status, HER2 overexpression and incidence of triple negative breast cancer which warrant further investigation. Malay women present with larger tumours and at later stages, and even after adjustment for these and other prognostic factors (stage, pathology and treatment), Malay women have a poorer survival. Although the factors responsible for these ethnic differences have not been elucidated, it is thought that pharmacogenomics, lifestyle factors (such as weight-gain, diet and exercise), and psychosocial factors (such as acceptance of 2nd or 3rd line chemotherapy) may be responsible for the difference in survival. Notably, survivorship studies show self-management programmes and exercise improve quality of life, highlighting the need to evaluate the psychosocial impact of breast cancer on Malaysian women, and to design culturally-, religiously- and linguistically-appropriate psycho-education programmes to help women cope with the disease and improve their quality of life. Research done in the Caucasian populations may not necessarily apply to local settings and it is important to embark on local studies particularly prevention, screening, diagnostic, prognostic, therapeutic and psychosocial research.

Matched MeSH terms: Complementary Therapies
Fulltext Use of complementary medicine amongst hypertensive patients in a public primary care clinic in Ipoh

Mahfudz AS, Chan SC

Med J Malaysia, 2005 Oct;60(4):454-9.
PMID: 16570707

The use and reasons for use of Complementary Medicine (CM) amongst hypertensive patients attending the Hypertension/ Diabetes/ Asthma Clinic in Greentown Health Clinic, Ipoh was assessed. One hundred and twenty patients were selected by systematic random sampling (1:5) over a 2-week period commencing 26/04/04. Data was obtained from interviews, questionnaires and medical records. Twenty seven percent were on CM. Most commonly used CM was herbal medicine. Majority of those using CM for BP control were Malays. The Chinese and Indians were using CM mainly for other health problems. Ninety six percent were using both CM and conventional therapy concurrently. Therefore doctors should enquire about CM usage during patient assessment to prevent possible drug interactions.

Matched MeSH terms: Complementary Therapies/utilization*
Fulltext Use of complementary medicine amongst asthmatic patients in primary care

Mokhtar N, Chan SC

Med J Malaysia, 2006 Mar;61(1):125-7.
PMID: 16708752 MyJurnal

Complementary Medicine (CM) usage amongst asthmatic patients was studied. Eighty-eight patients, selected by systematic random sampling in two public polyclinics in April/May 2004, were interviewed. They completed a structured pre-tested questionnaire. Forty-one percent were using CM, majority (64%) together with conventional therapy. Eighty-one percent did not inform their physicians of their CM usage. More Malays were using CM which included nutritional supplements, herbs, yoga, homoeopathy, reflexology and massage.

Matched MeSH terms: Complementary Therapies/utilization*
Fulltext Knowledge and practice of complementary medicine amongst public primary care clinic doctors in Kinta district, Perak

Ismail IA, Chan SC

Med J Malaysia, 2004 Mar;59(1):4-10.
PMID: 15535328 MyJurnal

The knowledge and practice of doctors (n=40) towards complementary medicine (CM) in 16 health clinics in the Kinta District were assessed by questionnaire. Thirty-four (85%) responded. More than half felt that acupuncture (73.50), homeopathy (59%) and herbal medicine (59%) were occasionally harmful. Forty-four percent felt manipulative therapy was frequently harmful. Relaxation technique (79%) and nutritional therapy (44%) were considered most frequently useful. 59% used some form of CM. There were no significant differences found in usage rates by gender, age group and exposure to CM during undergraduate training. Sixty-seven percent had encouraged patients to seek CM. Seventy-three percent perceived an increasing demand for CM. Eighty-eight percent were in favour of a hospital based CM referral center. Only 6% were trained in CM.
Study site: Klinik kesihatan, Perak, Malaysia

Matched MeSH terms: Complementary Therapies/standards*
Fulltext Usage of traditional and complementary medicine (T & CM): Prevalence, practice and perception among post stroke patients attending conventional stroke rehabilitation in a teaching hospital in Malaysia

Ali MF, Abdul Aziz AF, Rashid MR, Che Man Z, Amir AA, Lim YS, et al.

Med J Malaysia, 2015 Feb;70(1):18-23.
PMID: 26032524

INTRODUCTION: The lack of evidence that proves the benefit of traditional and complementary medicines (T & CM) in treating chronic medical conditions does not deter its usage among patients worldwide. Prevalence of usage among post-stroke patients in Malaysia especially is unknown. This study aims to determine the prevalence, practice and perception of T & CM use among stroke survivors attending an outpatient rehabilitation program in a teaching hospital.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 104 post stroke patients attending an outpatient rehabilitation program. A structured self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on sociodemographic and clinical profile of patients, as well as types of therapy used and perception on T & CM usage. Descriptive analysis was done, and bivariate analysis was used to determine associations between categorical data.
RESULTS: Mean age of patients was 62 years (SD 12.2), 54% were Chinese and 75% of the patients had ischaemic stroke. Mean age of T & CM users was younger compared to non- T & CM users (61 years vs. 66 years, p=0.04). Two-thirds (66%) of patients admitted to concurrent T & CM usage while attending conventional post stroke rehabilitation. Acupuncture (40.4%), massage (40.4%) and traditional Chinese medicine (11.5%) were the most common T & CM used. Positive perception was recorded in terms of ability of T & CM usage to relieve post stroke symptoms (68%), and it was safe to use because it was made from 'natural sources'. Negative perception recorded: T & CM caused significant adverse effects (57.6%) and was not safe to be used in combination with other conventional medicines (62.5%).
CONCLUSIONS: Concurrent T & CM usage among post-stroke patients attending structured outpatient rehabilitation program is widely practised especially acupuncture, massage and traditional Chinese medicines. Overall the perception towards its use is favourable.
Study site: Medical Rehabilitation Services Department, Perubatan Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (PPUKM), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Matched MeSH terms: Complementary Therapies
Factors influencing late stage of breast cancer at presentation in a district Hospital - Segamat Hospital, Johor

Cheng ML, Ling DY, Nanu P KP, Nording H, Lim CH

Med J Malaysia, 2015 Jun;70(3):148-52.
PMID: 26248776 MyJurnal

INTRODUCTION: In Malaysia, late stage presentation of breast cancer (stage III or IV) has been a healthcare problem that varies geographically throughout the country. This study aims to understand the factors influencing late stage of breast cancer at presentation among Malaysian women in Segamat Hospital, Johor, which is a district hospital.
METHODS: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted on secondary data of all newly diagnosed breast cancer women from 1st August 2011 to 28th February 2014. Secondary data includes age, ethnicity, marital status, family history, education level, occupation, presenting symptom, duration of symptom, tumour size, tumour pathology, tumour grading, oestrogen, progesterone and HER-2 receptor status were collected and analysed using SPSS version 20.0.0.
RESULT: In total, data from 52 women was analysed and two women were excluded for incompleteness as these women defaulted. Late stage at presentation was 59.6% of all new cases (17.3% stage III and 42.3% stage IV). The commonest age group of all women diagnosed with breast cancer was in the 5th decade. Majority of them were Malay, married and housewives with no family history of breast cancer. The statistically significant factors associated with late stage at presentation include Malay ethnicity (p=0.019), presenting symptoms other than breast lump (p=0.047), and duration of breast lump more than 3 months (p=0.009).
DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated presentation at late stage of breast cancer is a major health concern among Malaysian women in district hospital. This may be attributed to different sociocultural beliefs, strong belief in complementary and alternative medicine, lack of awareness, and difficult accessibility to healthcare services.

Matched MeSH terms: Complementary Therapies
Fulltext Pain management and the role of pain clinics in Malaysia--is there a place for alternative medicine in pain clinics?

Delilkan AE

Med J Malaysia, 1998 Sep;53(3):201.
PMID: 10968153
Matched MeSH terms: Complementary Therapies*
Is input on Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) necessary in our medical curriculum? A perspective from a survey on medical practitioners

Nabilla AS, Safura J, Karina R, Noran H, Norizan M, Sabariah M, et al.

Med J Malaysia, 2002 Dec;57 Suppl E:37-43.
PMID: 12733192

A cross-sectional study was carried out through a postal survey of a random sample of registered medical practitioners in Malaysia to explore the pursuit and practice of CAM among them. A response rate of 42% was acquired. 27.1% of the medical practitioners are currently using CAM on themselves or their own families and 22.2% actually have referred patients to CAM practitioners. Analysis showed that only 14.9% of the medical practitioners who responded were exposed to CAM during their undergraduate days. Out of 28 respondents graduated from USM, 15 (53.6%) were exposed while out of the 80 graduates of UM, only 6 (7.5%) were exposed and out of 58 respondents graduates of UKM, only 5 (8.6%) were exposed to CAM during their undergraduate teaching. These differences are statistically different (p < 0.001). Analysis also showed that more (72.6%) medical practitioners are for having training in CAM during the medical undergraduate studies. Only 9.1% of the respondents have attended any training in CAM post graduation and 36.8% would like further training on CAM postgraduate and would pay for it. The findings illustrate the need for training in CAM in medical undergraduate education especially in this new age where alternative therapy is in demand by the consumers.

Matched MeSH terms: Complementary Therapies/education*
Fulltext Traditional/complementary medicine: the way ahead

Merican I

Med J Malaysia, 2002 Sep;57(3):261-5.
PMID: 12440264
Matched MeSH terms: Complementary Therapies/trends*
Fulltext 'Thermal reflex therapy' a danger for diabetic feet

Yeap JS, Anbanandan S, Yeap JK, Borhan Tan M, Harwant S

Med J Malaysia, 2001 Mar;56(1):102-3.
PMID: 11503287
Matched MeSH terms: Complementary Therapies
Editorial: The cross-cultural approach to medical practice

Sandosham AA

Med J Malaysia, 1974 Sep;29(1):1.
PMID: 4377165
Matched MeSH terms: Complementary Therapies*
A case of nasopharyngeal carcinoma and precious pregnancy

Abdul Satar NF, Cheong EV, Jasmin LPY, Ngu MR

Med J Malaysia, 2020 11;75(6):738-741.
PMID: 33219188

Cancer during pregnancy is a rare condition. We report here a case of a lady diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) at University of Malaya Medical Centre during her first pregnancy conceived via In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF). A multidisciplinary (MDT) meeting among Oncology, Obstetrics, Rheumatology and Otolaryngology teams was conducted to discuss her treatment options. She opted for treatment with Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM). This case illustrates the unique challenges in the oncological management of a patient diagnosed with NPC during pregnancy. It also serves as a reminder that the use of CAM in cancer patients is prevalent. It is important for doctors to inquire about use of CAM and to be well-informed about it. Transparent communication and taking cognizance of the goals and concerns of the patients are essential in delivering patient-centred care.

Matched MeSH terms: Complementary Therapies

Filters

Please provide feedback to Administrator (afdal@afpm.org.my)

External Links