Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 245 in total

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  1. Mendel B, Christianto, Setiawan M, Prakoso R, Siagian SN
    Curr Cardiol Rev, 2021 Jun 03.
    PMID: 34082685 DOI: 10.2174/1573403X17666210603113430
    BACKGROUND: Junctional ectopic tachycardia (JET) is an arrhythmia originating from the AV junction, which may occur following congenital heart surgery, especially when the intervention is near the atrioventricular junction.

    OBJECTIVE: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to compare the effectiveness of amiodarone, dexmedetomidine and magnesium in preventing JET following congenital heart surgery.

    METHODS: This meta-analysis was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement, where 11 electronic databases were searched from date of inception to August 2020. The incidence of JET was calculated with the relative risk of 95% confidence interval (CI). Quality assessment of the included studies was assessed using the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) 2010 statement.

    RESULTS: Eleven studies met the predetermined inclusion criteria and were included in this meta-analysis. Amiodarone, dexmedetomidine and magnesium significantly reduced the incidence of postoperative JET [Amiodarone: risk ratio 0.34; I2= 0%; Z=3.66 (P=0.0002); 95% CI 0.19-0.60. Dexmedetomidine: risk ratio 0.34; I2= 0%; Z=4.77 (P<0.00001); 95% CI 0.21-0.52. Magnesium: risk ratio 0.50; I2= 24%; Z=5.08 (P<0.00001); 95% CI 0.39-0.66].

    CONCLUSION: All three drugs show promise in reducing the incidence of JET. Our systematic review found that dexmedetomidine is better in reducing the length of ICU stays as well as mortality. In addition, dexmedetomidine also has the least pronounced side effects among the three. However, it should be noted that this conclusion was derived from studies with small sample sizes. Therefore, dexmedetomidine may be considered as the drug of choice for preventing JET.

    Matched MeSH terms: Confidence Intervals
  2. Lee ZY, Hasan MS, Day AG, Ng CC, Ong SP, Yap CSL, et al.
    PMID: 34021917 DOI: 10.1002/jpen.2194
    BACKGROUND: Nutrition risk, sarcopenia, and frailty are distinct yet inter-related. They may be due to suboptimal or prevented by optimal nutrition intake. The combination of nutrition risk (modified nutrition risk in the critically ill [mNUTRIC]), sarcopenia (SARC-CALF) and frailty (clinical frailty scale [CFS]) in a single score may better predict adverse outcomes and prioritizing resources for optimal nutrition (and exercise) in the intensive care unit (ICU).

    METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of a single-center prospective observational study that enrolled mechanically ventilated adults with expected ≥96 hours ICU stay. SARC-F and CFS questionnaires were administered to patient's next-of-kin and mNUTRIC were calculated. Calf-circumference was measured at the right calf. Nutrition data was collected from nursing record. The high-risk scores (mNUTRIC ≥5, SARC-CALF >10 or CFS ≥4) of these variables were combined to become the NUTRIC-SF score (range: 0-3).

    RESULTS: Eighty-eight patients were analyzed. Multiple logistic model demonstrated increasing mNUTRIC score was independently associated with 60-day mortality while increasing SARC-CALF and CFS showed a strong trend towards higher 60-day mortality. Discriminative ability of NUTRIC-SF for 60-day mortality is better than it's component (AUROC 0.722, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.677-0.868). Every increment of 300 kcal/day and 30 g/day is associated with a trend towards higher rate of discharge alive for high [≥2; Adjusted Hazard Ratio 1.453 (95% CI 0.991-2.130) for energy, 1.503 (95% CI 0.936-2.413) for protein] but not low (<2) NUTRIC-SF score.

    CONCLUSION: NUTRIC-SF score may be a clinically relevant risk stratification tool in the ICU. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

    Matched MeSH terms: Confidence Intervals
  3. Wong LP, Wu Q, Hao Y, Chen X, Chen Z, Alias H, et al.
    Int Health, 2021 May 04.
    PMID: 33945613 DOI: 10.1093/inthealth/ihab023
    BACKGROUND: We aimed to investigate the association between institution trust and public responses to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak.

    METHODS: An Internet-based, cross-sectional survey was administered on 29 January 2020. A total of 4393 adults ≥18 y of age and residing or working in the province of Hubei, central China were included in the study.

    RESULTS: The majority of the participants expressed a great degree of trust in the information and preventive instructions provided by the central government compared with the local government. Being under quarantine (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 2.35 [95% confidence interval {CI} 1.80 to 3.08]) and having a high institutional trust score (OR 2.23 [95% CI 1.96 to 2.53]) were both strong and significant determinants of higher preventive practices scores. The majority of study participants (n=3640 [85.7%]) reported that they would seek hospital treatment if they suspected themselves to have been infected with COVID-19. Few of the participants from Wuhan (n=475 [16.6%]) and those participants who were under quarantine (n=550 [13.8%]) expressed an unwillingness to seek hospital treatment.

    CONCLUSIONS: Institutional trust is an important factor influencing adequate preventive behaviour and seeking formal medical care during an outbreak.

    Matched MeSH terms: Confidence Intervals
  4. Angchaisuksiri P, Goto S, Farjat AE, Fryk H, Bang SM, Chiang CE, et al.
    Thromb Res, 2021 05;201:63-72.
    PMID: 33652328 DOI: 10.1016/j.thromres.2021.02.024
    BACKGROUND: Although epidemiological studies report a lower risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) than in the Western world, VTE rates in Asia may be underestimated. Furthermore, it is uncertain whether VTE outcomes differ in Asia and the rest of the world (ROW).

    METHODS: GARFIELD-VTE is a global, prospective, non-interventional study of real-world treatment practices. In this study, we compared baseline characteristics, treatment patterns, and 12-month outcomes in Asia and ROW.

    RESULTS: Of the 10,684 enrolled patients, 1822 (17.1%) were Asian (China n = 420, Hong Kong n = 98, Japan n = 148, Malaysia n = 244, South Korea n = 343, Taiwan n = 232, Thailand n = 337). Compared with ROW patients, those from Asia were more often female (57.4% vs. 48.0%), non-smokers (74.0% vs. 58.9%) and had a lower BMI (24.8 kg/m2 vs. 29.1 kg/m2). Asian patients were more likely to be managed in the hospital (86.9% vs. 70.4%) and to have active cancer (19.8% vs. 8.1%) or a history of cancer (19.1% vs. 12.0%). Asian patients received no anticoagulation more frequently than ROW patients (6.5% vs. 2.1%). Over 12-months follow-up, the rate of all-cause mortality (per 100 person-years [95% confidence interval]) was higher in Asians (15.2 [13.4-17.3] vs. 5.9 [5.4-6.5]). Adjusted hazard ratios indicated a higher risk of all-cause mortality in Asian patients than the ROW (1.32 [1.08-1.62]). The frequencies of major bleeding and recurrent VTE were similar.

    CONCLUSION: Asian patients have different risk profiles, treatment patterns and a higher risk of mortality compared with the ROW.

    Matched MeSH terms: Confidence Intervals
  5. Chet LS, Hamid SAA, Bachok N, Chidambaram SK, Adnan WNAW
    Saudi J Med Med Sci, 2021 04 29;9(2):135-144.
    PMID: 34084104 DOI: 10.4103/sjmms.sjmms_72_20
    Background: Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has transformed the management of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and significantly improved survival rates, but there is lack of such survival data from Malaysia.

    Objective: The objective was to determine the survival rates and prognostic factors of survival in HIV-infected adults treated with ART in Malaysia.

    Materials and Methods: This retrospective cohort study considered all HIV-positive adult patients registered in Sungai Buloh Hospital, a major referral center in Malaysia, between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2016. Then, patients were selected through a systematic sampling method. Demographic, clinical, and treatment data were extracted from electronic medical records. Person-years at risk and incidence of mortality rate per 100 person-years were calculated. The Kaplan-Meier survival curve and log-rank test were used to compare the overall survival rates. Cox proportional hazards regression was applied to determine the prognostic factors for survival.

    Results: A total of 339 patients were included. The estimated overall survival rates were 93.8%, 90.4%, 84.9%, and 72.8% at 1, 3, 5, and 10 years, respectively, from ART initiation. The results of multiple Cox proportional hazard regression indicated that anemic patients were at a 3.76 times higher risk of mortality (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.97-7.18; P < 0.001). The hazard risk was 2.09 times higher for HIV patients co-infected with tuberculosis (95% CI: 1.10, 3.96; P = 0.024).

    Conclusion: The overall survival rates among HIV-infected adults in this study are higher than that from low-income countries but lower than that from high-income countries. Low baseline hemoglobin levels of <11 g/dL and tuberculosis co-infection were strong prognostic factors for survival.

    Matched MeSH terms: Confidence Intervals
  6. Judge C, O'Donnell MJ, Hankey GJ, Rangarajan S, Chin SL, Rao-Melacini P, et al.
    Am J Hypertens, 2021 04 20;34(4):414-425.
    PMID: 33197265 DOI: 10.1093/ajh/hpaa176
    BACKGROUND: Although low sodium intake (<2 g/day) and high potassium intake (>3.5 g/day) are proposed as public health interventions to reduce stroke risk, there is uncertainty about the benefit and feasibility of this combined recommendation on prevention of stroke.

    METHODS: We obtained random urine samples from 9,275 cases of acute first stroke and 9,726 matched controls from 27 countries and estimated the 24-hour sodium and potassium excretion, a surrogate for intake, using the Tanaka formula. Using multivariable conditional logistic regression, we determined the associations of estimated 24-hour urinary sodium and potassium excretion with stroke and its subtypes.

    RESULTS: Compared with an estimated urinary sodium excretion of 2.8-3.5 g/day (reference), higher (>4.26 g/day) (odds ratio [OR] 1.81; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.65-2.00) and lower (<2.8 g/day) sodium excretion (OR 1.39; 95% CI, 1.26-1.53) were significantly associated with increased risk of stroke. The stroke risk associated with the highest quartile of sodium intake (sodium excretion >4.26 g/day) was significantly greater (P < 0.001) for intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) (OR 2.38; 95% CI, 1.93-2.92) than for ischemic stroke (OR 1.67; 95% CI, 1.50-1.87). Urinary potassium was inversely and linearly associated with risk of stroke, and stronger for ischemic stroke than ICH (P = 0.026). In an analysis of combined sodium and potassium excretion, the combination of high potassium intake (>1.58 g/day) and moderate sodium intake (2.8-3.5 g/day) was associated with the lowest risk of stroke.

    CONCLUSIONS: The association of sodium intake and stroke is J-shaped, with high sodium intake a stronger risk factor for ICH than ischemic stroke. Our data suggest that moderate sodium intake-rather than low sodium intake-combined with high potassium intake may be associated with the lowest risk of stroke and expected to be a more feasible combined dietary target.

    Matched MeSH terms: Confidence Intervals
  7. Wong LP, Lee HY, Khor CS, Abdul-Jamil J, Alias H, Abu-Amin N, et al.
    PMID: 33879981 DOI: 10.1007/s12288-021-01428-7
    Throughout the world, there has been growing concern over the risk of hepatitis E virus (HEV) transmission via blood transfusion. The present study screened blood donor samples for anti-HEV immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin G (IgG). The prevalence of HEV infection was assessed on a total of 1,003 archived serum samples obtained from the National Blood Centre, Malaysia. The samples were collected from healthy blood donor from Klang Valley between 2017 and 2018. All samples were tested for IgM and IgG antibodies to HEV using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). HEV-specific IgG antibodies were detected in 31/1003 (3.1%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.1%-4.4%) and IgM in 9/1003 (0.9%; 95% CI 0.4%-1.7%) samples. In bivariate analysis, there was no significant difference in the prevalence of anti-HEV IgG with respect to gender and district of origin. Although not statistically significant, males had higher odds of having anti-HEV IgG than females (odds ratio [OR] = 2.86; 95% CI 0.95-8.64). All anti-HEV IgG positive individuals were people of Chinese descent. Anti-HEV IgG increased significantly with age, from 0.6% (95% CI 0.1%-2.6%) of 18-30-year-old donors to 7.4% (95% CI 2.7%-17.0%) of donors older than 50 years and was highest among non-professional workers (5.3%; 95% CI 2.5%-10.5%). Increasing age and a non-professional occupation remained significant predictors for anti-HEV IgG in the multivariable analysis. Screening of blood donations for HEV in Malaysia is important to safeguard the health of transfusion recipients. The higher rates of HEV infection in blood from older donors and donors who are non-professional workers may provide insights into targeted groups for blood screening.
    Matched MeSH terms: Confidence Intervals
  8. Wei R, Lim CY, Yang Y, Tang XD, Yan TQ, Yang RL, et al.
    Orthop Surg, 2021 Apr;13(2):553-562.
    PMID: 33665985 DOI: 10.1111/os.12918
    OBJECTIVES: This study aims to: (i) evaluate the outcome of patients with Harrington class III lesions who were treated according to Harrington classification; (ii) propose a modified surgical classification for Harrington class III lesions; and (iii) assess the efficiency of the proposed modified classification.

    METHODS: This study composes two phases. During phase 1 (2006 to 2011), the clinical data of 16 patients with Harrington class III lesions who were treated by intralesional excision followed by reconstruction of antegrade/retrograde Steinmann pins/screws with cemented total hip arthroplasty (Harrington/modified Harrington procedure) were retrospectively reviewed and further analyzed synthetically to design a modified surgical classification system. In phase 2 (2013 to 2019), 62 patients with Harrington class III lesions were classified and surgically treated according to our modified classification. Functional outcome was assessed using the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) 93 scoring system. The outcome of local control was described using 2-year recurrence-free survival (RFS). Owing to the limited sample size, we considered P 

    Matched MeSH terms: Confidence Intervals
  9. Amir NN, Kamaruzzaman SB, Effendi-Tenang I, Jamaluddin M, Tan MP, Ramli N, et al.
    Eur Geriatr Med, 2021 Apr;12(2):313-319.
    PMID: 33486745 DOI: 10.1007/s41999-021-00450-2
    PURPOSE: Using data from the Malaysian Elders Longitudinal Research (MELoR), this study investigated the association between visual function (visual acuity and contrast sensitivity) and frailty in a group of urban-dwelling older adults.

    METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study. 1332 participants aged ≥ 55 years were selected by random sampling from the parliamentary electoral register. Only 1274 participants completed the frailty assessment and 1278 participants completed the contrast sensitivity assessment. Impaired vision was defined as a Snellen visual acuity of worse than 6/12 in the better eye. Poor contrast sensitivity was defined as a score on the Pelli Robson chart of lower than 1.65. Frailty was defined with the Fried's phenotype criteria. Inter-group comparisons were determined with the independent T-test for continuous variables and the Pearson's Chi-squared test for categorical variables. The odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to evaluate the cross-sectional association between frailty and visual function.

    RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 68.8 ± 7.5 years, of which 58.1% (774) were women. Impaired vision and poor contrast sensitivity were present in 187 (14%) and 271 (21.2%) subjects respectively. 73 (5.8%) individuals were classified as frail, 1161 (91.0.%) pre-frail, and 40 (2.8%) non-frail. There was no significant difference in frailty phenotypes between those with good and impaired vision (p = 0.241). Fried's component of handgrip strength, gait speed and exhaustion were significantly better in those with good visual function (p 

    Matched MeSH terms: Confidence Intervals
  10. Samsudin EZ, Isahak M, Rampal S, Rosnah I, Zakaria MI
    Malays J Med Sci, 2021 Apr;28(2):142-156.
    PMID: 33958968 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2021.28.2.13
    Background: Research suggests that junior doctors often experience workplace bullying, which may have adverse impacts on medical training and delivery of quality healthcare. However, evidence among local population has not been established. The present study aims to examine the prevalence of workplace bullying among Malaysian junior doctors and explore its associated sociodemographic and employment factors.

    Methods: A multicentre cross-sectional study was conducted in 12 government hospitals accredited for housemanship training within the central zone of Malaysia. The study included a total of 1,074 house officers who had been working for at least 6 months in various housemanship rotations. The Negative Acts Questionnaire-Revised (NAQ-R) was used to examine workplace bullying.

    Results: The 6-month prevalence of workplace bullying among study participants was 13%. Work-related bullying such as 'being ordered to do work below your level of competence', person-related bullying such as 'being humiliated or ridiculed in connection with your work', and physically intimidating bullying such as 'being shouted at or being the target of spontaneous anger' were commonly reported by study participants. Medical officers were reported to be the commonest perpetrators of negative actions at the workplace. Study participants who graduated from Eastern European medical schools (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 2.27; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.27, 4.07) and worked in surgical-based rotation (AOR 1.83; 95% CI: 1.13, 2.97) had higher odds of bullying compared to those who graduated from local medical schools and worked in medical-based rotation, whereas study participants with good English proficiency (AOR 0.14; 95% CI: 0.02, 0.94) had lower odds of bullying compared to those with poor English proficiency.

    Conclusion: The present study shows that workplace bullying is prevalent among Malaysian junior doctors. Considering the gravity of its consequences, impactful strategies should be developed and implemented promptly in order to tackle this serious occupational hazard.

    Matched MeSH terms: Confidence Intervals
  11. Shahrin AA, Ghani SHA, Norman NH
    Korean J Orthod, 2021 Mar 25;51(2):86-94.
    PMID: 33678624 DOI: 10.4041/kjod.2021.51.2.86
    Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effect of micro-osteoperforations (MOPs) on external apical root resorption (EARR) during the initial orthodontic alignment phase of maxillary anterior crowding.

    Methods: Thirty patients (25 females, 5 males; mean age, 22.66 ± 3.27 years) who presented with moderate crowding of the upper labial segment and underwent extraction-based fixed appliance treatment were recruited. They were randomly allocated to receive adjunctive therapy with MOPs (n = 15) or treatment with fixed appliances only (control group; n = 15). EARR was measured from long-cone periapical radiographs taken at the start and the sixth month of treatment. A correction factor for the enlargement difference was used to calculate EARR. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and repeated-measures analysis of variance.

    Results: The mean root lengths of 168 teeth were measured and showed no statistically significant difference (p > 0.05) after six months of fixed appliance treatment in the MOP (mean difference [MD] = 0.13 mm; 95% confidence interval [CI] = -0.10-0.35) and control group (MD = 0.14 mm; 95% CI = -0.10-0.37). Most of the roots in the MOP and control groups (42.86% and 52.38%, respectively) showed only mild resorption. Less than 8% of the roots in both groups (7.14% in the MOP group and 4.76% in the control group) showed moderate resorption.

    Conclusions: Acceleration of orthodontic tooth movement with adjunctive MOPs therapy during the alignment phase does not exacerbate EARR in patients with moderate crowding of the upper labial segment in comparison with controls.

    Matched MeSH terms: Confidence Intervals
  12. Kotepui M, Masangkay FR, Kotepui KU, Milanez GJ
    BMC Infect Dis, 2021 Mar 12;21(1):259.
    PMID: 33711940 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-021-05941-y
    BACKGROUND: Plasmodium cynomolgi is a simian malaria parasite that has been reported as a naturally acquired human infection. The present study aims to systematically review reports on naturally acquired P. cynomolgi in humans, mosquitoes, and macaques to provide relevant data for pre-emptive surveillance and preparation in the event of an outbreak of zoonotic malaria in Southeast Asia.

    METHODS: The protocol of the systematic review was registered at PROSPERO with approval ID CRD42020203046. Three databases (Web of Science, Scopus, and MEDLINE) were searched for studies reporting the prevalence of P. cynomolgi infections in Southeast Asian countries between 1946 and 2020. The pooled prevalence or pooled proportion of P. cynomolgi parasitemia in humans, mosquitoes, and macaques was estimated using a random-effects model. Differences in the clinical characteristics of P. cynomolgi infections were also estimated using a random-effects model and presented as pooled odds ratios (ORs) or mean differences (MDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

    RESULTS: Thirteen studies reporting on the prevalence of naturally acquired P. cynomolgi in humans (3 studies, 21 cases), mosquitoes (3 studies, 28 cases), and macaques (7 studies, 334 cases) were included. The results demonstrated that the pooled proportion of naturally acquired P. cynomolgi in humans was 1% (95% CI, 0.1%, I2, 0%), while the pooled proportion of P. cynomolgi infecting mosquitoes was 18% (95% CI, 10-26%, I2, 32.7%). The pooled prevalence of naturally acquired P. cynomolgi in macaques was 47% (95% CI, 27-67%, I2, 98.3%). Most of the cases of naturally acquired P. cynomolgi in humans were reported in Cambodia (62%) and Malaysia (38%), while cases of P. cynomolgi in macaques were reported in Malaysia (35.4%), Singapore (23.2%), Indonesia (17.3%), Philippines (8.5%), Laos (7.93%), and Cambodia (7.65%). Cases of P. cynomolgi in mosquitoes were reported in Vietnam (76.9%) and Malaysia (23.1%).

    CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated the occurrence of naturally acquired P. cynomolgi infection in humans, mosquitoes, and macaques. Further studies of P. cynomolgi in asymptomatic human cases in areas where vectors and natural hosts are endemic are extensively needed if human infections with P. cynomolgi do become public health problems.

    Matched MeSH terms: Confidence Intervals
  13. Gnatiuc L, Tapia-Conyer R, Wade R, Ramirez-Reyes R, Aguilar-Ramirez D, Herrington W, et al.
    Eur J Prev Cardiol, 2021 Mar 09.
    PMID: 33693634 DOI: 10.1093/eurjpc/zwab038
    AIMS: Results of previous studies of abdominal adiposity and risk of vascular-metabolic mortality in Hispanic populations have been conflicting. We report results from a large prospective study of Mexican adults with high levels of abdominal adiposity.

    METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 159 755 adults aged ≥35 years from Mexico City were enrolled in a prospective study and followed for 16 years. Cox regression, adjusted for confounders, yielded mortality rate ratios (RRs) associated with three markers of abdominal adiposity (waist circumference, waist-hip ratio, and waist-height ratio) and one marker of gluteo-femoral adiposity (hip circumference) for cause-specific mortality before age 75 years. To reduce reverse causality, deaths in the first 5 years of follow-up and participants with diabetes or other prior chronic disease were excluded. Among 113 163 participants without prior disease and aged 35-74 years at recruitment, all adiposity markers were positively associated with vascular-metabolic mortality. Comparing the top versus bottom tenth of the sex-specific distributions, the vascular-metabolic mortality RRs at ages 40-74 years were 2.32 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.84-2.94] for waist circumference, 2.22 (1.71-2.88) for the waist-hip ratio, 2.63 (2.06-3.36) for the waist-height ratio, and 1.58 (1.29-1.93) for hip circumference. The RRs corresponding to each standard deviation (SD) higher usual levels of these adiposity markers were 1.34 (95% CI 1.27-1.41), 1.31 (1.23-1.39), 1.38 (1.31-1.45), and 1.18 (1.13-1.24), respectively. For the markers of abdominal adiposity, the RRs did not change much after further adjustment for other adiposity markers, but for hip circumference the association was reversed; given body mass index and waist circumference, the RR for vascular-metabolic mortality for each one SD higher usual hip circumference was 0.80 (0.75-0.86).

    CONCLUSIONS: In this study of Mexican adults, abdominal adiposity (and in particular the waist-height ratio) was strongly and positively associated with vascular-metabolic mortality. For a given amount of general and abdominal adiposity, however, higher hip circumference was associated with lower vascular-metabolic mortality.

    Matched MeSH terms: Confidence Intervals
  14. Correia JC, Meraj H, Teoh SH, Waqas A, Ahmad M, Lapão LV, et al.
    Bull World Health Organ, 2021 Mar 01;99(3):209-219B.
    PMID: 33716343 DOI: 10.2471/BLT.19.250068
    Objective: To determine the effectiveness of telemedicine in the delivery of diabetes care in low- and middle-income countries.

    Methods: We searched seven databases up to July 2020 for randomized controlled trials investigating the effectiveness of telemedicine in the delivery of diabetes care in low- and middle-income countries. We extracted data on the study characteristics, primary end-points and effect sizes of outcomes. Using random effects analyses, we ran a series of meta-analyses for both biochemical outcomes and related patient properties.

    Findings: We included 31 interventions in our meta-analysis. We observed significant standardized mean differences of -0.38 for glycated haemoglobin (95% confidence interval, CI: -0.52 to -0.23; I2 = 86.70%), -0.20 for fasting blood sugar (95% CI: -0.32 to -0.08; I2 = 64.28%), 0.81 for adherence to treatment (95% CI: 0.19 to 1.42; I2 = 93.75%), 0.55 for diabetes knowledge (95% CI: -0.10 to 1.20; I2 = 92.65%) and 1.68 for self-efficacy (95% CI: 1.06 to 2.30; I2 = 97.15%). We observed no significant treatment effects for other outcomes, with standardized mean differences of -0.04 for body mass index (95% CI: -0.13 to 0.05; I2 = 35.94%), -0.06 for total cholesterol (95% CI: -0.16 to 0.04; I2 = 59.93%) and -0.02 for triglycerides (95% CI: -0.12 to 0.09; I2 = 0%). Interventions via telephone and short message service yielded the highest treatment effects compared with services based on telemetry and smartphone applications.

    Conclusion: Although we determined that telemedicine is effective in improving several diabetes-related outcomes, the certainty of evidence was very low due to substantial heterogeneity and risk of bias.

    Matched MeSH terms: Confidence Intervals
  15. Johar N, Mohamad N, Saddki N, Tengku Ismail TA, Sulaiman Z
    Korean J Fam Med, 2021 Mar;42(2):140-149.
    PMID: 32423181 DOI: 10.4082/kjfm.19.0178
    BACKGROUND: Cesarean delivery is linked with lower rates of early breastfeeding initiation. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of early initiation of breastfeeding among women admitted for elective cesarean delivery in Kelantan, Malaysia.

    METHODS: A total of 171 women admitted for elective cesarean delivery at two tertiary hospitals in Kelantan, Malaysia, participated in this study. On day two after cesarean delivery, face-to-face interviews were conducted with the mothers to get information on feeding practice. Descriptive statistics, including simple and multiple logistic regressions, were used for data analysis.

    RESULTS: Seventy-three percent of mothers initiated breastfeeding within 1 hour of birth. Approximately 15.8% and 10.5% of mothers initiated breastfeeding within 24 hours and ≥24 hours, respectively. Skin-to-skin contact between mothers and their infants occurred in 77.8% of cases after cesarean delivery. Breastfeeding initiation was significantly associated with skin-to-skin contact (odds ratio [OR], 14.42; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.58-58.06), mothers who exclusively breastfed during hospitalization (OR, 36.37; 95% CI, 5.60-236.24), and infants who were not sleepy during attempts at breastfeeding (OR, 5.17; 95% CI, 1.32-20.21).

    CONCLUSION: Based on our results, it is possible to increase the proportion of mothers initiating breastfeeding within 1 hour among women who undergo elective cesarean delivery. Therefore, it is important that health practitioners educate women beginning in the antenatal period who plan to undergo cesarean delivery by emphasizing the importance of early initiation of breastfeeding.

    Matched MeSH terms: Confidence Intervals
  16. Noor NHM, Joibe KF, Hasan MN
    Oman Med J, 2021 Mar;36(2):e249.
    PMID: 33898061 DOI: 10.5001/omj.2021.55
    Objectives: A near miss in transfusion practice is defined as a deviation from standard procedures discovered before transfusion and can lead to a transfusion error. Information on near-miss events provides pivotal data on areas of improvement to prevent actual errors in the future. Our study sought to determine the prevalence and rate of near-miss events and their associated factors amongst house officers (HO) in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia.

    Methods: The initial part of this study is a descriptive cross-sectional study involving data collection from all requests sent for group, screen, and hold (GSH) and group and cross match (GXM) tests from 2011 to 2017. The association between sociodemographic, workplace, and experience factors with near-miss events amongst HO was analyzed with a case-control study using logistic regression.

    Results: We reported 83 near-miss events with a prevalence of 0.034% (95% confidence interval 0.027-0.042). The rate of near-miss events was one in every 2916 requests. The mean reporting rate was 11.9 events per year. Clinical near miss predominated at 89.2% compared to 10.8% laboratory near miss. Mislabeled events (33.7%) were more than miscollected events (10.8%). HO were implicated with most events (83.1%). Most events were predominantly in the medical and obstetrics and gynecology wards amounting to 31.3% each. We found a significant association between the ages of HO with near-miss events.

    Conclusions: The prevalence of near-miss events in our hospital was relatively low. Our study has shown areas for improvement include improving sampling practices in clinical areas, adequate training of laboratory technicians, and providing proper transfusion education. Interventions such as encouraging compliance to guidelines and training in clinical and laboratory areas to minimize the risk of mistransfusion should be considered.

    Matched MeSH terms: Confidence Intervals
  17. Ross J, Jiamsakul A, Kumarasamy N, Azwa I, Merati TP, Do CD, et al.
    HIV Med, 2021 Mar;22(3):201-211.
    PMID: 33151020 DOI: 10.1111/hiv.13006
    OBJECTIVES: To assess second-line antiretroviral therapy (ART) virological failure and HIV drug resistance-associated mutations (RAMs), in support of third-line regimen planning in Asia.

    METHODS: Adults > 18 years of age on second-line ART for ≥ 6 months were eligible. Cross-sectional data on HIV viral load (VL) and genotypic resistance testing were collected or testing was conducted between July 2015 and May 2017 at 12 Asia-Pacific sites. Virological failure (VF) was defined as VL > 1000 copies/mL with a second VL > 1000 copies/mL within 3-6 months. FASTA files were submitted to Stanford University HIV Drug Resistance Database and RAMs were compared against the IAS-USA 2019 mutations list. VF risk factors were analysed using logistic regression.

    RESULTS: Of 1378 patients, 74% were male and 70% acquired HIV through heterosexual exposure. At second-line switch, median [interquartile range (IQR)] age was 37 (32-42) years and median (IQR) CD4 count was 103 (43.5-229.5) cells/µL; 93% received regimens with boosted protease inhibitors (PIs). Median duration on second line was 3 years. Among 101 patients (7%) with VF, CD4 count > 200 cells/µL at switch [odds ratio (OR) = 0.36, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.17-0.77 vs. CD4 ≤ 50) and HIV exposure through male-male sex (OR = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.17-0.64 vs. heterosexual) or injecting drug use (OR = 0.24, 95% CI: 0.12-0.49) were associated with reduced VF. Of 41 (41%) patients with resistance data, 80% had at least one RAM to nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), 63% to NRTIs, and 35% to PIs. Of those with PI RAMs, 71% had two or more.

    CONCLUSIONS: There were low proportions with VF and significant RAMs in our cohort, reflecting the durability of current second-line regimens.

    Matched MeSH terms: Confidence Intervals
  18. Chang CT, Ang JY, Islam MA, Chan HK, Cheah WK, Gan SH
    Pharmaceuticals (Basel), 2021 Feb 25;14(3).
    PMID: 33669084 DOI: 10.3390/ph14030187
    Drug-related problems (DRPs) in the elderly include polypharmacy, potentially inappropriate medications, nonadherence, and drug-related falls. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, the prevalence of DRPs and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use among the Malaysian elderly was estimated. PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases were searched to identify studies published since their inception up to 24 August 2020. A random-effects model was used to generate the pooled prevalence of DRPs along with its corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI). The heterogeneity of the results was estimated using the I2 statistics, and Cochran's Q test and sensitivity analyses were performed to confirm the robustness of the results. We identified 526 studies, 23 of which were included in the meta-analysis. (n = 29,342). The pooled prevalence of DRPs among Malaysian elderly was as follows: (1) polypharmacy: 49.5% [95% CI: 20.5-78.6], (2) potentially inappropriate medications: 28.9% [95% CI: 25.4-32.3], (3) nonadherence to medications: 60.6% [95% CI: 50.2-70.9], and (4) medication-related falls 39.3% [95% CI: 0.0-80.8]. Approximately one in two Malaysian elderly used CAM. The prevalence of polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate medications among the Malaysian elderly population was high, calling for measures and evidence-based guidelines to ensure the safe medication use.
    Matched MeSH terms: Confidence Intervals
  19. Kow CS, Hasan SS
    J Asthma, 2021 Feb 08.
    PMID: 33461348 DOI: 10.1080/02770903.2021.1878531
    Objective: With emerging of observational evidence, we aimed to perform a meta-analysis to summarize the overall effect of the chronic use of inhaled corticosteroids on the clinical outcomes in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Methods:Systematic literature search in electronic databases was performed to identify observational studies that investigated the preadmission use of inhaled corticosteroids on the risk of a fatal or severe course of illness in patients with COVID-19 and reported adjusted measures of association. Adjusted odds ratios or relative risks and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals from each study were pooled to produce pooled odds ratio and 95% confidence interval. Results: The meta-analysis revealed no significant difference in the risk for the development of a fatal course of COVID-19 with preadmission use of inhaled corticosteroids in patients with COVID-19 relative to non-use of inhaled corticosteroids (pooled odds ratio=1.28; 95% confidence interval 0.73-2.26). Similarly, the meta-analysis observed no significant difference in the risk for the development of a severe course of COVID-19 with preadmission use of inhaled corticosteroids in patients with COVID-19 relative to non-use of inhaled corticosteroids (pooled odds ratio=1.45; 95% confidence interval 0.96-2.20).Conclusions: Our findings assured the safety of continued use of inhaled corticosteroids during the COVID-19 pandemic.
    Matched MeSH terms: Confidence Intervals
  20. Rampamba EM, Meyer JC, Helberg E, Godman B
    J Res Pharm Pract, 2021 01 11;9(4):181-185.
    PMID: 33912500 DOI: 10.4103/jrpp.JRPP_20_49
    Objective: Controlling blood pressure (BP) in hypertensive patients is a challenge, with the lack of antihypertensive medicines negatively impacting on BP control. Consequently, we assessed the availability of prescribed antihypertensives among patients with chronic hypertension attending primary health care (PHC) facilities in a rural province of South Africa and explored any association between medicines availability, the number of prescribed antihypertensive medicines and BP control.

    Methods: Secondary data that included patients' demographics, BP, and data on medicines availability of the intervention group from a 3 months' operational study conducted in rural PHC facilities in South Africa were analyzed. The association between medicines availability, the number of antihypertensive medicines, and BP control was explored.

    Findings: Fifty-five African patients (89.1% females) with a mean age of 61.3 years were included. Two-thirds (67.2%) received all their medicines during their monthly visits, 25.5% received some, and for 7.3%, there was no record of whether medicines were dispensed or not. Patients with controlled BP (60.0%) were more likely to have been prescribed only one antihypertensive medicine compared to patients with uncontrolled BP (20.7%) (P = 0.017; odds ratio: 5.75; 95% confidence interval: 1.46, 22.61).

    Conclusion: It is concerning that one-third of patients went home without all of their antihypertensive medicines from PHC facilities in this Province of South Africa where there is evidence of use of herbal medicines and uncontrolled BP contributing to high morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular diseases. Additional studies are needed to fully explore the association between medicines availability, their use, and BP control among patients.

    Matched MeSH terms: Confidence Intervals
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