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  1. Zanudin A, Mercer TH, Jagadamma KC, van der Linden ML
    Gait Posture, 2017 10;58:30-40.
    PMID: 28711651 DOI: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2017.07.005
    Availability of outcome measures (OMs) with robust psychometric properties is an essential prerequisite for the evaluation of interventions designed to address gait deterioration in young people with Cerebral Palsy (CP). This review evaluates evidence for the reliability, validity and responsiveness of outcome measures of gait quality and walking performance in young people with CP. A systematic search was performed in MEDLINE, CINAHL, PubMed and Scopus. Articles that met the eligibility criteria were selected. Methodological quality of studies was independently rated by two raters using the modified COnsensus-based Standard for the selection of health status Measurement INstruments checklist. Strength of evidence was rated using standardised guidelines. Best evidence synthesis was scored according to Cochrane criteria. Fifty-one articles reporting on 18 distinct OMs were included for review. Best evidence synthesis indicated a moderate to strong evidence for the reliability for OMs of walking performance but conflicting evidence for the reliability of OMs of gait quality. The evidence for responsiveness for all OMs included in this review was rated as 'unknown'. The limitations of using the modified COSMIN scoring for small sample sizes are acknowledged. Future studies of high methodological quality are needed to explore the responsiveness of OMs assessing gait quality and walking performance in young people with CP.
  2. Knaapen M, Hall NJ, Moulin D, van der Lee JH, Butcher NJ, Minneci PC, et al.
    Ann Surg, 2022 Dec 01;276(6):1047-1055.
    PMID: 33630468 DOI: 10.1097/SLA.0000000000004707
    OBJECTIVE: To develop an international core outcome set (COS), a minimal collection of outcomes that should be measured and reported in all future clinical trials evaluating treatments of acute simple appendicitis in children.

    SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: A previous systematic review identified 115 outcomes in 60 trials and systematic reviews evaluating treatments for children with appendicitis, suggesting the need for a COS.

    METHODS: The development process consisted of 4 phases: (1) an updated systematic review identifying all previously reported outcomes, (2) a 2-stage international Delphi study in which parents with their children and surgeons rated these outcomes for inclusion in the COS, (3) focus groups with young people to identify missing outcomes, and (4) international expert meetings to ratify the final COS.

    RESULTS: The systematic review identified 129 outcomes which were mapped to 43 unique outcome terms for the Delphi survey. The first-round included 137 parents (8 countries) and 245 surgeons (10 countries), the second-round response rates were 61% and 85% respectively, with 10 outcomes emerging with consensus. After 2 young peoples' focus groups, 2 additional outcomes were added to the final COS (12): mortality, bowel obstruction, intraabdominal abscess, recurrent appendicitis, complicated appendicitis, return to baseline health, readmission, reoperation, unplanned appendectomy, adverse events related to treatment, major and minor complications.

    CONCLUSION: An evidence-informed COS based on international consensus, including patients and parents has been developed. This COS is recommended for all future studies evaluating treatment ofsimple appendicitis in children, to reduce heterogeneity between studies and facilitate data synthesis and evidence-based decision-making.

  3. Alias H, Lau SCD, Schuitema I, de Sonneville LMJ
    Front Psychol, 2018;9:703.
    PMID: 29896137 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00703
    Objective: This study aimed to evaluate neuropsychological consequences in survivors of childhood brain tumor. Method: A case-control study was conducted over a period of 4 months in a tertiary referral center in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Fourteen survivors of childhood brain tumor aged 7-18 years, who were off-treatment for at least 1 year and were in remission, and 31 unrelated healthy controls were recruited. The median age at diagnosis was 8.20 years (range: 0.92-12.96 years). The diagnoses of brain tumors were medulloblastoma, germ cell tumor, pineocytoma, pilocystic astrocytoma, suprasellar germinoma, and ependymoma. Eleven survivors received central nervous system irradiation. Seven tasks were selected from the Amsterdam Neuropsychological Tasks program to evaluate alertness (processing speed), and major aspects of executive functioning, such as working memory capacity, inhibition, cognitive flexibility, and sustained attention. Speed, stability and accuracy of responses were the main outcome measures. Results: Survivors of childhood brain tumor showed statistically significant poorer performance on all tasks compared to healthy controls. Both processing speed and accuracy were impaired in the survivors, in particular under more complex task conditions. The survivors demonstrated deficits in alertness, sustained attention, working memory capacity, executive visuomotor control, and cognitive flexibility. Longer duration off treatment appeared to be correlated with poorer alertness, memory capacity, and inhibition. Conclusion: Survivors of childhood brain tumor in our center showed impaired neuropsychological functioning. Development of less toxic treatment protocols is important to prevent late effects of cognitive deficits in survivors of childhood brain tumor.
  4. Ekker MS, Jacob MA, van Dongen MME, Aarnio K, Annamalai AK, Arauz A, et al.
    BMJ Open, 2019 11 14;9(11):e031144.
    PMID: 31727655 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-031144
    INTRODUCTION: Worldwide, 2 million patients aged 18-50 years suffer a stroke each year, and this number is increasing. Knowledge about global distribution of risk factors and aetiologies, and information about prognosis and optimal secondary prevention in young stroke patients are limited. This limits evidence-based treatment and hampers the provision of appropriate information regarding the causes of stroke, risk factors and prognosis of young stroke patients.

    METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The Global Outcome Assessment Life-long after stroke in young adults (GOAL) initiative aims to perform a global individual patient data meta-analysis with existing data from young stroke cohorts worldwide. All patients aged 18-50 years with ischaemic stroke or intracerebral haemorrhage will be included. Outcomes will be the distribution of stroke aetiology and (vascular) risk factors, functional outcome after stroke, risk of recurrent vascular events and death and finally the use of secondary prevention. Subgroup analyses will be made based on age, gender, aetiology, ethnicity and climate of residence.

    ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval for the GOAL study has already been obtained from the Medical Review Ethics Committee region Arnhem-Nijmegen. Additionally and when necessary, approval will also be obtained from national or local institutional review boards in the participating centres. When needed, a standardised data transfer agreement will be provided for participating centres. We plan dissemination of our results in peer-reviewed international scientific journals and through conference presentations. We expect that the results of this unique study will lead to better understanding of worldwide differences in risk factors, causes and outcome of young stroke patients.

  5. Thavagnanam S, Cheong SY, Chinna K, Nathan AM, de Bruyne JA
    J Paediatr Child Health, 2018 May;54(5):530-534.
    PMID: 29168911 DOI: 10.1111/jpc.13789
    AIM: Adenotonsillectomy is performed in children with recurrent tonsillitis or obstructive sleep apnoea. Children at risk of post-operative respiratory complications are recommended to be monitored in paediatric intensive care unit (PICU). The aim of the study is to review the risk factors for post-operative complications and admissions to PICU.

    METHODS: A review of medical records of children who underwent adenotonsillectomy between January 2011 and December 2014 was performed. Association between demographic variables and post-operative complications were examined using chi-square and Mann-Whitney tests.

    RESULTS: A total of 214 children were identified, and of these, 19 (8.8%) experienced post-operative complications. Six children (2.8%) had respiratory complications: hypoxaemia in four and laryngospasm requiring reintubation in a further two. Both of the latter patients were extubated upon arrival to PICU and required no escalation of therapy. A total of 13 (6.1%) children had non-respiratory complications: 8 (3.7%) had infection and 5 (2.3%) had haemorrhage. A total of 26 (12.1%) children were electively admitted to PICU and mean stay was 19.5 (SD ± 13) h. No association between demographic characteristics, comorbid conditions or polysomnographic parameters and post-operative complications were noted. A total of 194 (90.7%) children stayed only one night in hospital (median 1 day, range 1-5 days).

    CONCLUSION: The previously identified risk factors and criteria for PICU admission need revision, and new recommendations are necessary.

  6. Tan SK, Leung WK, Tang ATH, Zwahlen RA
    PLoS One, 2017;12(7):e0181146.
    PMID: 28749983 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0181146
    BACKGROUND: Mandibular advancement surgery may positively affect pharyngeal airways and therefore potentially beneficial to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

    OBJECTIVE: To collect evidence from published systematic reviews that have evaluated pharyngeal airway changes related to mandibular advancement with or without maxillary procedures.

    METHODOLOGY: PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library were searched without limiting language or timeline. Eligible systematic reviews evaluating changes in pharyngeal airway dimensions and respiratory parameters after mandibular advancement with or without maxillary surgery were identified and included.

    RESULTS: This overview has included eleven systematic reviews. Maxillomandibular advancement (MMA) increases linear, cross-sectional plane and volumetric measurements of pharyngeal airways significantly (p<0.0001), while reducing the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and the respiratory disturbance index (RDI) significantly (p<0.0001). Two systematic reviews included primary studies that have evaluated single-jaw mandibular advancement, but did not discuss their effect onto pharyngeal airways. Based on the included primary studies of those systematic reviews, single-jaw mandibular advancement was reported to significantly increase pharyngeal airway dimensions (p<0.05); however, conclusive long-term results were lacking.

    CONCLUSION: MMA increases pharyngeal airway dimensions and is beneficial to patients suffering from OSA. However, more evidence is still needed to draw definite conclusion related to the effect of single-jaw mandibular advancement osteotomies on pharyngeal airways.

  7. Munajat M, Mohd Nordin NA, Mohamad Yahya NH, Zulkifly AH
    Medicine (Baltimore), 2019 Sep;98(36):e17045.
    PMID: 31490397 DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000017045
    INTRODUCTION: The presence of significant pain and swelling during the acute stage following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) may limit the patients' ability to cooperate in intensive physiotherapy interventions. Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound is one of the modalities that can be used for acute pain and swelling management. However, only one study investigated the effect of this modality in patients with TKA. There is limited documentation of the effects of combining low-intensity pulsed ultrasound in TKA rehabilitation in the recovery of physical impairments and how these influence the recovery of function after TKA. Therefore, this study is proposed with the aim to evaluate the effects of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound as an adjunct to conventional physiotherapy on the recovery of physical impairments, functional performance and quality of life after TKA surgery.

    METHODS: This is an assessor-blinded quasi-experimental study comparing two approaches of physiotherapy, namely pulsed ultrasound-added physiotherapy and conventional physiotherapy. Total number of participants with TKA required for this study will be calculated based on the result of a pilot study. Participants will be alternately allocated into either pulsed ultrasound-added physiotherapy group (low-intensity pulsed ultrasound and conventional physiotherapy) or control group (conventional physiotherapy). Pulsed ultrasound-added physiotherapy group will receive low-intensity pulsed ultrasound starting at post-operative day 2 (4-5 times for the first-week after surgery and 2-3 times a week for a further 2 weeks). Both groups will receive conventional physiotherapy 4 to 5 times for the first-week after surgery and 2 to 3 times a week for a further 11 weeks. This procedure and process will be tested and established in a pilot study. Primary outcomes of interest are pain level, swelling, active range of knee motion, and quadriceps strength. The secondary outcomes are functional performance and quality of life.

    DISCUSSION: This study will fill the gaps in knowledge relating the benefits of including low-intensity pulsed ultrasound into conventional physiotherapy for patients with TKA.

    TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, ACTRN12618001226291.

  8. Malini MN, Zain MM
    Med J Malaysia, 2020 01;75(1):24-28.
    PMID: 32008015
    BACKGROUND: In reproductive medicine poor ovarian response (POR) among women undergoing in vitro fertilisation (IVF) is of great concern. Meta-analysis showed that Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) administration resulted in a significant increase in the number of oocytes retrieved in women with POR. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of DHEA supplementation on IVF outcomes among poor responders undergoing IVF.

    METHODS: Sixteen patients who were diagnosed with POR scheduled to undergo their second cycle of Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)/embryo transfer cycle were enrolled. All enrolled patients had earlier undergone their first ICSI/embryo transfer cycle at least four months prior to this study. All subjects were given DHEA supplementation of 25mg three times daily for at least three months prior to their second ICSI/embryo transfer cycle. Statistical analysis of various ovarian response and ICSI outcomes parameter were compared pre and post DHEA.

    RESULTS: Sixteen women with the mean age of 35 years were enrolled in the study. The comparative analysis of results showed a significant increase in the number of good quality of embryos obtained (p<0.05). After the treatment with DHEA, there was an improvement in the number of oocytes retrieved, Metaphase II (MII) oocyte (mature) oocytes obtained, fertilised and transferrable embryos and the pregnancy rate. There was no significant effect of DHEA treatment on the number of days of stimulation and cumulative dose of gonadotrophins used.

    CONCLUSION: Our results is able to show that DHEA supplementation may help to enhance IVF-ICSI outcomes in women with POR especially in those age 35 years and below.

  9. De Britto RLJ, Vijayalakshmi G, Boopathi K, Kamaraj P, Supriya VK, Yuvaraj J
    Trop Biomed, 2020 Mar 01;37(1):66-74.
    PMID: 33612719
    Advocacy and training on "Home care" for filarial lymphoedma (FLE) patients are provided through morbidity management and disability prevention (MMDP) clinic commonly known as filariasis clinic and clinical improvement is assessed by follow-up visits. While the physicians aim at reducing the recurrent ADL (coined as ADLA in 1997) episodes, the patients expect reduction in LE volume. The objective of the present study was to know whether the MMDP clinic serves the primary expectation of the FLE patients. LE patients who attended the clinic for at least four follow-up consultations and had LE volume measurements at three points of time during the one year period of observation were considered for analysis. Clinical assessment was done for LE grading and LE volume was measured by water displacement volumetry. Sixty-three patients who fulfilled the follow up criteria were included. It was observed that the median LE volume was 914ml (IQR 269 - 1935) at first visit of the observation period which reduced to 645ml (IQR 215- 1666) and 752ml (IQR 215 - 1720) at first and second follow-up visits respectively. Over all, in short span of one year, 21 of the 63 patients (33.3%) who visited MMDP clinic at least four times in a year were benefitted through the MMDP advocacy and the National filariasis control programme need to emphasise on the importance of follow up visits to FLE patients.
    Matched MeSH terms: Outcome Assessment (Health Care)*
  10. Schwalm JR, McCready T, Lamelas P, Musa H, Lopez-Jaramillo P, Yusoff K, et al.
    Am Heart J, 2018 09;203:57-66.
    PMID: 30015069 DOI: 10.1016/j.ahj.2018.06.004
    BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death throughout the world, with the majority of deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries. Despite clear evidence for the benefits of blood pressure reduction and availability of safe and low-cost medications, most individuals are either unaware of their condition or not adequately treated.

    OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of this study is to evaluate whether a community-based, multifaceted intervention package primarily provided by nonphysician health workers can improve long-term cardiovascular risk in people with hypertension by addressing identified barriers at the patient, health care provider, and health system levels.

    METHODS/DESIGN: HOPE-4 is a community-based, parallel-group, cluster randomized controlled trial involving 30 communities (1,376 participants) in Colombia and Malaysia. Participants ≥50 years old and with newly diagnosed or poorly controlled hypertension were included. Communities were randomized to usual care or to a multifaceted intervention package that entails (1) detection, treatment, and control of cardiovascular risk factors by nonphysician health workers in the community, who use tablet-based simplified management algorithms, decision support, and counseling programs; (2) free dispensation of combination antihypertensive and cholesterol-lowering medications, supervised by local physicians; and (3) support from a participant-nominated treatment supporter (either a friend or family member). The primary outcome is the change in Framingham Risk Score after 12 months between the intervention and control communities. Secondary outcomes including change in blood pressure, lipid levels, and Interheart Risk Score will be evaluated.

    SIGNIFICANCE: If successful, the study could serve as a model to develop low-cost, effective, and scalable strategies to reduce cardiovascular risk in people with hypertension.

    Matched MeSH terms: Outcome Assessment (Health Care)*
  11. Vitamin E in Neuroprotection Study (VENUS) Investigators, Hor CP, Fung WY, Ang HA, Lim SC, Kam LY, et al.
    JAMA Neurol, 2018 04 01;75(4):444-452.
    PMID: 29379943 DOI: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2017.4609
    Importance: Management of painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy remains challenging. Most therapies provide symptomatic relief with varying degrees of efficacy. Tocotrienols have modulatory effects on the neuropathy pathway and may reduce neuropathic symptoms with their antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activities.

    Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of oral mixed tocotrienols for patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

    Design, Setting, and Participants: The Vitamin E in Neuroprotection Study (VENUS) was a parallel, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial that recruited participants from January 30, 2011, to December 7, 2014, with 12 months of follow-up. This trial screened 14 289 patients with diabetes from 6 health clinics and ambulatory care units from 5 public hospitals in Malaysia. A total of 391 patients who reported neuropathic symptoms were further assessed with Total Symptom Score (TSS) and Neuropathy Impairment Score (NIS). Patients 20 years or older with a TSS of 3 or higher and an NIS of 2 or higher were recruited.

    Interventions: Patients were randomized to receive 200 mg of mixed tocotrienols twice daily or matching placebo for 12 months. Patients with hyperhomocysteinemia (homocysteine level ≥2.03 mg/L) received oral folic acid, 5 mg once daily, and methylcobalamin, 500 μg thrice daily, in both groups.

    Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was patient-reported neuropathy TSS (lancinating pain, burning pain, paresthesia, and asleep numbness) changes at 12 months. The secondary outcomes were NIS and sensory nerve conduction test result.

    Results: Of 391 eligible patients, 300 were recruited (130 [43.3%] male; mean [SD] age, 57.6 [8.9] years; mean [SD] duration of diabetes, 11.4 [7.8] years) and 229 (76.3%) completed the trial. The TSS changes between the tocotrienols and placebo groups at 12 months (-0.30; 95% CI, -1.16 to 0.56; P = .49) were similar. No significant differences in NIS (0.60; 95% CI, -1.37 to 2.65; P = .53) and sensory nerve conduction test assessments were found between both groups. In post hoc subgroup analyses, tocotrienols reduced lancinating pain among patients with hemoglobin A1C levels greater than 8% (P = .03) and normohomocysteinemia (homocysteine level <2.03 mg/L; P = .008) at 1 year. Serious adverse events in both groups were similar, except more infections were observed in the tocotrienols group (6.7% vs 0.7%, P = .04). Results reported were of modified intention-to-treat analyses.

    Conclusions and Relevance: Supplementation of oral mixed tocotrienols, 400 mg/d for 1 year, did not improve overall neuropathic symptoms. The preliminary observations on lancinating pain among subsets of patients require further exploration.

    Trial Registration: National Medical Research Registry Identifier: NMRR-10-948-7327 and clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01973400.

  12. Li J, Fong DYT, Lok KYW, Wong JYH, Ho MM, Choi EPH, et al.
    J Glob Health, 2023 Oct 20;13:04125.
    PMID: 37861130 DOI: 10.7189/jogh.13.04125
    BACKGROUND: The interconnected nature of lifestyles and interim health outcomes implies the presence of the central lifestyle, central interim health outcome and bridge lifestyle, which are yet to be determined. Modifying these factors holds immense potential for substantial positive changes across all aspects of health and lifestyles. We aimed to identify these factors from a pool of 18 lifestyle factors and 13 interim health outcomes while investigating potential gender and occupation differences.

    METHODS: An international cross-sectional study was conducted in 30 countries across six World Health Organization regions from July 2020 to August 2021, with 16 512 adults self-reporting changes in 18 lifestyle factors and 13 interim health outcomes since the pandemic.

    RESULTS: Three networks were computed and tested. The central variables decided by the expected influence centrality were consumption of fruits and vegetables (centrality = 0.98) jointly with less sugary drinks (centrality = 0.93) in the lifestyles network; and quality of life (centrality = 1.00) co-dominant (centrality = 1.00) with less emotional distress in the interim health outcomes network. The overall amount of exercise had the highest bridge expected influence centrality in the bridge network (centrality = 0.51). No significant differences were found in the network global strength or the centrality of the aforementioned key variables within each network between males and females or health workers and non-health workers (all P-values >0.05 after Holm-Bonferroni correction).

    CONCLUSIONS: Consumption of fruits and vegetables, sugary drinks, quality of life, emotional distress, and the overall amount of exercise are key intervention components for improving overall lifestyle, overall health and overall health via lifestyle in the general population, respectively. Although modifications are needed for all aspects of lifestyle and interim health outcomes, a larger allocation of resources and more intensive interventions were recommended for these key variables to produce the most cost-effective improvements in lifestyles and health, regardless of gender or occupation.

  13. Er YT, Chan YM, Mohd Shariff Z, Abdul Hamid H, Mat Daud Z', Yong HY
    BMJ Open, 2023 Nov 20;13(11):e075937.
    PMID: 37989361 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-075937
    INTRODUCTION: Nutrition education is the cornerstone to maintain optimal pregnancy outcomes including gestational weight gain (GWG). Nevertheless, default for appointments is common and often lead to suboptimal achievement of GWG, accompanied with unfavourable maternal and child health outcomes. While mobile health (mHealth) usage is increasing and helps minimising barriers to clinic appointments among pregnant mothers, its effectiveness on health outcomes has been inconclusive. Therefore, this study aimed to address the gap between current knowledge and clinical care, by exploring the effectiveness of mHealth on GWG as the primary outcome, hoping to serve as a fundamental work to achieve optimal health outcomes with the improvement of secondary outcomes such as physical activity, psychosocial well-being, dietary intake, quality of life and sleep quality among pregnant mothers.

    METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A total of 294 eligible participants will be recruited and allocated into 3 groups comprising of mHealth intervention alone, mHealth intervention integrated with personal medical nutrition therapy and a control group. Pretested structured questionnaires are used to obtain the respondents' personal information, anthropometry data, prenatal knowledge, physical activity, psychosocial well-being, dietary intake, quality of life, sleep quality and GWG. There will be at least three time points of data collection, with all participants recruited during their first or second trimester will be followed up prospectively (after 3 months or/and after 6 months) until delivery. Generalised linear mixed models will be used to compare the mean changes of outcome measures over the entire study period between the three groups.

    ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approvals were obtained from the ethics committee of human subjects research of Universiti Putra Malaysia (JKEUPM-2022-072) and medical research & ethics committee, Ministry of Health Malaysia: NMRR ID-22-00622-EPU(IIR). The results will be disseminated through journals and conferences targeting stakeholders involved in nutrition research.

    TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Clinicaltrial.gov ID: NCT05377151.

  14. Haron NH, Taib NA, Yip CH
    ANZ J Surg, 2008 Nov;78(11):943-4.
    PMID: 18959689 DOI: 10.1111/j.1445-2197.2008.04709.x
    Matched MeSH terms: Outcome Assessment (Health Care)*
  15. Yii MK
    Asian J Surg, 2003 Jul;26(3):149-53.
    PMID: 12925289 DOI: 10.1016/S1015-9584(09)60374-2
    Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repairs represent a significant workload in vascular surgery in Asia. This study aimed to audit AAA surgery and evaluate the application of the Portsmouth Physiological and Operative Severity Score for the Enumeration of Mortality and Morbidity (P-POSSUM) in an Asian vascular unit for standard of care. Eighty-five consecutive surgical patients with AAA from a prospective vascular database from July 1996 to December 2001 in Sarawak were available for analysis. Comparisons between predicted deaths by P-POSSUM and observed deaths in both urgency of surgery categories (elective, urgent, emergency ruptures) and risk range groups (0-5%, >5-15%, >15-50%, >50-100%) were made. No significant difference was found between the predicted and observed rates of death for elective, urgent and emergency AAA repairs. The observed mortality rates were 5%, 18% and 30%, respectively. The observed rates of death were also comparable to P-POSSUM predicted rates of death in the various risk range groups. The POSSUM score used with the P-POSSUM mortality equation is easy to use and applicable as a comparative vascular auditing tool in Asia.
  16. Goh WC, Beh ST, Chern B, Yap LK
    Med J Malaysia, 2002 Sep;57(3):292-7.
    PMID: 12440268
    The authors made a 3-year retrospective study of cases of tubo-ovarian abscess surgically treated in KK Women's and Children's Hospital. In the period studied (1998 through 2000), there were 36 such cases. A total of 11 patients underwent laparoscopic treatment while 25 patients underwent laparotomy. The study demonstrates the differences in the patient profile and the short term morbidity in each mode of surgical treatment and the changing trends in the surgical treatment of tubo-ovarian abscess.
  17. Li Y, Babazono A, Jamal A, Liu N, Fujita T, Zhao R, et al.
    Soc Sci Med, 2022 Dec;314:115468.
    PMID: 36327638 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2022.115468
    Metabolic syndrome (MetS) prevalence has increased globally with considerable morbidity and economic burden at both individual and national levels. Japan is the first and only country that has introduced a nationwide lifestyle guidance intervention program to manage and control MetS. We conducted a quasi-experiment approach-regression discontinuity design-to evaluate the impact of this intervention on health outcomes at the population level. We retrospectively collected data of adults aged ≥35 years who participated in health checkups in 2015. Age in 2015 was used as the assignment variable, and an age of 40 years old was the threshold because those with MetS aged ≥40 were required to receive lifestyle guidance intervention. Among 26,772 MetS adults, those who received the intervention had significant reductions in obesity measurements (bodyweight, waist circumference, and body mass index [BMI]) after 1 year of this intervention. Blood pressure was also significantly reduced in men after 1 year of undertaking the intervention. The results were similar when including demographic, socioeconomic, and behavioral covariates and using alternative functional forms to estimate the impact, or when bandwidths around intervention thresholds were changed. Our results showed that lifestyle guidance intervention for MetS has an important impact on weight loss and blood pressure reduction at the population level. This intervention could address the high burden of obesity and cardiovascular diseases in Japan and other countries with an unmet need for MetS prevention and management.
  18. Yakob M, Hassan YR, Tse KL, Gu M, Yang Y
    PMID: 28092164 DOI: 10.1597/16-191
    Objective To test the reliability of the modified Huddart-Bodenham (MHB) numerical scoring system and its agreement with the GOSLON Yardstick categorization for assessing the dental arch relationships in unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) cases. Design A retrospective study. Setting Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong. Patients Forty-one nonsyndromic UCLP consecutive patients attending the Joint Cleft Lip/Palate Clinic at Faculty of Dentistry in the University of Hong Kong were selected. Interventions Study models at 8 to 10 years old (T1) and 10 to 12 years old (T2) were obtained from each patient. Main Outcome Measures Models were rated with the MHB scoring system and GOSLON Yardstick index. The intra- and interexaminer reliabilities as well as correlation of both scoring systems were evaluated. Furthermore, to investigate the outcome measurements consistency, the MHB scoring system and GOSLON Yardstick were independently used to compare the dental arch relationships from T1 to T2, with the samples split into intervention and nonintervention groups. Results The MHB scoring system presented good intra- and interexaminer agreement, which were comparable to those of the GOSLON Yardstick. The correlation between the MHB scoring system and GOSLON Yardstick scores was good. Both scoring systems showed similar results when assessing the change in the dental arch relationships from T1 to T2. Conclusions The MHB scoring system can be used as an alternative method to the commonly used GOSLON Yardstick for assessing dental deformities in UCLP patients. Both scoring systems showed similar results in assessing the improvement in dental arch relationships.
  19. Tan RKJ, O'Hara CA, Koh WL, Le D, Tan A, Tyler A, et al.
    BMC Public Health, 2021 05 31;21(1):1026.
    PMID: 34059021 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-11056-5
    BACKGROUND: Young gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (YMSM) are vulnerable to the risks associated with sexualized substance use. This is a novel study in Singapore that aims to classify patterns of sexualized substance use among YMSM, and investigate its association with sexual and mental health outcomes.

    METHODS: In this cross-sectional study among 570 YMSM aged 18 to 25 years old, latent class analysis (LCA) conducted to identify classes with similar patterns of sexualized substance use, across which measures of inconsistent condom use, recent STI diagnoses, past suicide ideation and depression severity were compared.

    RESULTS: LCA revealed three classes of YMSM based on types of substances ever used in sexualized contexts, which we labelled as 'substance-naive', 'substance-novice', and 'chemsex'. Substance-naive participants (n = 404) had only ever used alcohol, while substance-novice participants (n = 143) were primarily amyl nitrite users with a small proportion who reported using chemsex-related drugs. Chemsex participants (n = 23) comprised individuals who had mostly used such drugs. Those in the chemsex group were more likely to report recent unprotected anal sex with casual partners (aPR = 3.28, 95%CI [1.85, 5.79]), depression severity (aβ = 3.69, 95%CI [0.87, 6.51]) and a history of suicide ideation (aPR = 1.64, 95%CI [1.33, 2.03]).

    CONCLUSIONS: Findings of this study highlight how the use of varying substances in sexualized contexts may be classified and characterized by different sexual and mental health outcomes. Health promotion efforts should be differentiated accordingly to address the risks associated with sexualized substance use among YMSM.

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