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  1. ACES Investigators
    Int J Stroke, 2009 Oct;4(5):398-405.
    PMID: 19765130 DOI: 10.1111/j.1747-4949.2009.00339.x
    Better methods of identifying which patients with asymptomatic carotid stenosis will develop stroke, are required to improve the risk-benefit ratio of carotid endarterectomy. A promising method is the detection of asymptomatic embolic signals using transcranial Doppler. Embolic signals predict stroke risk in symptomatic carotid stenosis, but their predictive role in asymptomatic carotid stenosis is uncertain.
    Matched MeSH terms: Prospective Studies
  2. ACTION Study Group
    Eur J Cancer, 2017 03;74:26-37.
    PMID: 28335885 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2016.12.014
    BACKGROUND: Evidence to guide policymakers in developing affordable and equitable cancer control plans are scarce in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC).

    METHODS: The 2012-2014 ASEAN Costs in Oncology Study prospectively followed-up 9513 newly diagnosed cancer patients from eight LMIC in Southeast Asia for 12 months. Overall and country-specific incidence of financial catastrophe (out-of-pocket health costs ≥ 30% of annual household income), economic hardship (inability to make necessary household payments), poverty (living below national poverty line), and all-cause mortality were determined. Stepwise multinomial regression was used to estimate the extent to which health insurance, cancer stage and treatment explained these outcomes.

    RESULTS: The one-year incidence of mortality (12% in Malaysia to 45% in Myanmar) and financial catastrophe (24% in Thailand to 68% in Vietnam) were high. Economic hardship was reported by a third of families, including inability to pay for medicines (45%), mortgages (18%) and utilities (12%), with 28% taking personal loans, and 20% selling assets (not mutually exclusive). Out of households that initially reported incomes above the national poverty levels, 4·9% were pushed into poverty at one year. The adverse economic outcomes in this study were mainly attributed to medical costs for inpatient/outpatient care, and purchase of drugs and medical supplies. In all the countries, cancer stage largely explained the risk of adverse outcomes. Stage-stratified analysis however showed that low-income patients remained vulnerable to adverse outcomes even when diagnosed with earlier cancer stages.

    CONCLUSION: The LMIC need to realign their focus on early detection of cancer and provision of affordable cancer care, while ensuring adequate financial risk protection, particularly for the poor.
    Matched MeSH terms: Prospective Studies
  3. Abad-Casintahan F, Chow SK, Goh CL, Kubba R, Hayashi N, Noppakun N, et al.
    J Dermatol, 2016 Jul;43(7):826-8.
    PMID: 26813513 DOI: 10.1111/1346-8138.13263
    In patients with darker skin types (Fitzpatrick phototypes III-VI), acne is often accompanied by post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). Further, acne-related pigmentation can pose a greater concern for the patient than the acne lesions. There has been little formal study of this acne-related PIH. Recently, the Asian Acne Board - an international group of dermatologists with interest in acne research - made a preliminary evaluation of the frequency and characteristics of PIH in seven Asian countries. A total of 324 sequential acne subjects were evaluated for the presence of PIH. The majority (80.2%) of subjects had mild to moderate acne and there were more females than males (63.0% vs 37.0%). In this population of patients consulting a dermatologist for acne, 58.2% (188/324) had PIH. The results also showed that pigmentation problems are often long lasting: at least 1 year for more than half of subjects and 5 years or longer in 22.3%. In accordance with our clinical experience, patients reported that PIH is quite bothersome, often as bothersome or more so than the acne itself and sometimes more problematic. Excoriation was commonly reported by patients, and may represent a modifiable risk factor that could potentially be improved by patient education.
    Matched MeSH terms: Prospective Studies
  4. Abai G, Henry J, Lian CB, Wee ASF, Bili H, Ratu I
    Int J Public Health Res, 2011;1(2):92-99.
    MyJurnal
    Introduction Neonatal jaundice occurs in about 60% of newborns. If not managed properly, it can progress to severe neonatal jaundice (SNNJ) leading to death or permanent disability. The incidence of SNNJ in Kuching District increased from 119.3 per 100,000 live births in 2005 to 123.3 per 100,000 live births in 2008, which was above the Standard National QAP Indicator of 100 per 10,000 live births. SNNJ can be prevented by early detection and proper management of neonatal jaundice. The objective is to increase the knowledge and practise of early detection of neonatal jaundice by nurses in Kuching District. Methods This was an interventional study covering a period of six months. The sample comprised 113 nurses of all categories working in urban and rural maternal and child health clinics in Kuching District. Tools used in the study were self-administered questionnaires in English and Bahasa Malaysia. The preintervention survey started in July 2009 while the post-intervention survey was done in January 2010. The interventions were done through Continuing Nursing Education sessions and included new nursing formats and new reporting procedures. New vehicles were also provided for home nursing. Data was collected and analyzed using MS Excel program. Results The pre-intervention survey on nurses showed that only 56.6% were able to identify the risk of factors causing jaundice; 94.6% able to define jaundice; 41.5% able to detect jaundice while 70.8% knew sign of Kernicterus. In term of recommended post natal nursing schedule only 40.7% able to practice the schedule while only 69.0% able to give advice on management of jaundice. Post intervention; 63.2% of nurses were able to identify the risk factors causing jaundice; 97.2% able to define jaundice while 97.2% were able to detect jaundice and 88.6% know sign of Kernicterus. On recommended post natal nursing schedule, 49.9 % practice the recommended schedule while 92.0% were able to give advice to mother on management of jaundice. The incident of jaundice of Severe Neonatal Jaundice dropped to 78 per 100,000 live births in 2010.
    Conclusions The study shows that the interventions taken helped to improve the knowledge and practice of recommended measures to detect neonatal jaundice early. Stronger emphasis must be placed on using the new reporting procedures and new nursing sheets. Continuous monitoring through regular nursing audits by clinic supervisors is also essential to reduce the incidence of SNNJ. Provision of vehicles for all busy maternal and child health clinics for home nursing care is highly recommended.
    Matched MeSH terms: Prospective Studies
  5. Abbavannagari Bharath Kumar, Marakanam Srinivasan Umashankar, Sandeep Podda
    MyJurnal
    Introduction: Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease and noted to be incidence is intensifying globally and contem- plated as epidemic. The study is aimed to assess the coronary artery disease risk profile associated diabetes mellitus patient and to identify the clinical pharmacist care services in the management and to control the risk burden in the clinical practice. Method: A prospective observational study was conducted among the consecutive patients of coronary artery disease associated diabetic patients in a tertiary care teaching hospital over 6 months period. A sam- ple of 150 patients was recruited in the study. Data analysis was done with graph pad prism software 5.01. Results: The present study revealed that coronary artery disease in diabetes was more prevalent in age group between 41-50 years. About 54.66% patients with hyperlipidemia were at risk to develop the coronary artery disease complication. Glycated hemoglobin test was detected in 40% of the patient showing abnormal levels and around 43.33% of patient had an abnormal fasting blood sugar level. The study showed only 32% of patients was prescribed Insulin & oral hy- poglycemic agents and 13 % were treated with statins. Conclusion: It could be concluded that the causative factors should be controlled and treated with an early need for amalgamation of clinical pharmacist care services with the health care team on life style modification counseling could ultimately improve the patient health outcomes and also lowers progression of coronary artery disease risk complications among diabetic patients.
    Matched MeSH terms: Prospective Studies
  6. Abbott CA, Chatwin KE, Foden P, Hasan AN, Sange C, Rajbhandari SM, et al.
    Lancet Digit Health, 2019 10;1(6):e308-e318.
    PMID: 33323253 DOI: 10.1016/S2589-7500(19)30128-1
    BACKGROUND: Prevention of diabetic foot ulcer recurrence in high risk patients, using current standard of care methods, remains a challenge. We hypothesised that an innovative intelligent insole system would be effective in reducing diabetic foot ulcer recurrence in such patients.

    METHODS: In this prospective, randomised, proof-of-concept study, patients with diabetes, and with peripheral neuropathy and a recent history of plantar foot ulceration were recruited from two multidisciplinary outpatient diabetic foot clinics in the UK, and were randomly assigned to either intervention or control. All patients received an insole system, which measured plantar pressure continuously during daily life. The intervention group received audiovisual alerts via a smartwatch linked to the insole system and offloading instructions when aberrant pressures were detected; the control group did not receive any alerts. The primary outcome was plantar foot ulcer occurrence within 18 months. This trial is registered with ISRCTN, ISRCTN05585501, and is closed to accrual and complete.

    FINDINGS: Between March 18, 2014, and Dec 20, 2016, 90 patients were recruited and consented to the study, and 58 completed the study. At follow-up, ten ulcers from 8638 person-days were recorded in the control group and four ulcers from 11 835 person-days in the intervention group: a 71% reduction in ulcer incidence in the intervention group compared with the control group (incidence rate ratio 0·29, 95% CI, 0·09-0·93; p=0·037). The number of patients who ulcerated was similar between groups (six of 26 [control group] vs four of 32 [intervention group]; p=0·29); however, individual plantar sites ulcerated more often in the control group (ten of 416) than in the intervention group (four of 512; p=0·047). In an exploratory analysis of good compliers (n=40), ulcer incidence was reduced by 86% in the intervention group versus control group (incidence rate ratio 0·14, 95% CI 0·03-0·63; p=0·011). In the exploratory analysis, plantar callus severity (change from baseline to 6 months) was greater in re-ulcerating patients (6·5, IQR 4·0-8·3) than non-re-ulcerating patients (2·0, 0·0-4·8; p=0·040).

    INTERPRETATION: To our knowledge, this study is the first to show that continuous plantar pressure monitoring and dynamic offloading guidance, provided by an innovative intelligent insole system, can lead to a reduction in diabetic foot ulcer site recurrence.

    FUNDING: Diabetes UK and Orpyx Medical Technologies.

    Matched MeSH terms: Prospective Studies
  7. Abd Aziz NH, Yazid NA, Abd Rahman R, Abd Rashid N, Wong SK, Mohamad NV, et al.
    PMID: 32397276 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17093291
    Information on the role of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) in preventing adverse pregnancy/neonatal outcomes is limited in Malaysia. This study aims to determine the relationship between the level of maternal 25(OH)D in the first trimester of pregnant women and their pregnancy/neonatal outcomes. A total of 60 pregnant women in the first trimester were recruited and followed until the end of their pregnancy. The occurrence of any antenatal, delivery, and neonatal complications was recorded. Their blood was collected in the first trimester for total serum 25(OH)D determination using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Overall, 10% of the women had vitamin D deficiency, while 57% had vitamin D insufficiency in their first trimester. No statistically significant difference in 25(OH)D level/status was observed between women with or without antenatal and delivery complications (p > 0.05). No difference in maternal serum 25(OH)D level and vitamin D status was observed between neonates with or without complications (p > 0.05). In conclusion, there is a high prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency among Malaysian pregnant women, but it is not associated with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. More comprehensive studies should be planned to verify this relationship.
    Matched MeSH terms: Prospective Studies
  8. Abd Rashid RB, Mohd Daud MNB, Guad RM, Gan SH, Wan Husin WAIB, Giloi N, et al.
    Aust J Rural Health, 2021 Jun;29(3):464-472.
    PMID: 34148278 DOI: 10.1111/ajr.12732
    OBJECTIVES: In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors of alcohol use among a cohort of population in Sabah.

    DESIGN: This is a prospective, cohort study involving rural community residents.

    SETTING: Rural community resident at Bingkor, Keningau, Sabah.

    PARTICIPANTS: 363 individuals aged 13 years old and above.

    INTERVENTION: Community-based participatory research to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with alcohol use.

    MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Measurement of alcohol use using Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and assessment of psychiatric morbidity using Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) questionnaires.

    RESULTS: Most alcohol drinkers aged between 36-45 years old, followed by 26-35 years old and 46-55 years old. Interestingly, there are almost similar female to male ratio. Most were Kadazan-Dusun ethnic, non-Muslims, and married. Although only less than a third of the participants received tertiary education, the majority were working. Based on the findings, being a male, non-Muslim and having an obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) (current) posed a significantly higher risk of alcohol consumption.

    CONCLUSION: A worryingly high prevalence of hazardous alcohol consumption among the locals is reported. There is a need for population-wide intervention towards preventive measures based on the identified risk factors for hazardous alcohol use.

    Matched MeSH terms: Prospective Studies
  9. Abdelbasit MA, Alwi M, Kandavello G, Che Mood M, Samion H, Hijazi ZM
    Catheter Cardiovasc Interv, 2015 Jul;86(1):94-9.
    PMID: 25675888 DOI: 10.1002/ccd.25878
    OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of the Occlutech® PDA occluder for closure of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA).

    BACKGROUND: The Occlutech® PDA occluder is novel, self-shaping Nitinol wire device with PET (polyethylene terephthalate) patches integrated into the shank of the device to assure a better obturation of the ductus. The Occlutech® PDA occluder has undergone two design modifications.

    METHODS: A prospective, non-randomized pilot study was started in November 2011. Thirty-three patients were included until April 2013. Patients weighing <6 kg or those with associated cardiac anomalies that required surgery were excluded. All patients were followed up by transthoracic echocardiography at 24 hr, 30 days, 90 days, 180 days, and 360 days after implantation. Residual shunt, left pulmonary artery (LPA) and descending aortic velocities were among the parameters assessed. All occluders were delivered via 6-8 F long sheaths and PDA closures were performed following standard techniques.

    RESULTS: Thirty three patients (20 female/13 male), with a median age of 2 years (6 month to 38 years), and median weight of 9.3 kg (6-69.2 kg) were included. The narrowest median PDA diameter was 3mm (1.8-5.8 mm). All the 33 patients were closed successfully using Occlutech ductal occluder, 16 patients (48.4%) had immediate and complete closure on angiography. Within 24 hr, color Doppler revealed complete closure in 27patients (81.8%), 32patients (97%) at 30 days, and in 100% of patients at 90 days. All patients with a large PDA had immediate residual shunt which was closed at the 90-day follow-up. There was no device embolization, hemolysis, or obstruction to the LPA or descending aorta.

    CONCLUSION: The new Occlutech® PDA is safe and effective. In patients with a large PDA complete closure tended to take longer time.

    Matched MeSH terms: Prospective Studies
  10. Abdollahi F, Agajani-Delavar M, Zarghami M, Lye MS
    Iran J Psychiatry Behav Sci, 2016 Mar;10(1):e426.
    PMID: 31168307 DOI: 10.17795/ijpbs-426
    Background: Post-partum depression (PPD) can produce adverse symptoms that make motherhood one of the most tumultuous events in a female's life. First-time mothers who have problems adapting themselves to the mother's role are more vulnerable to PPD.

    Objectives: The current study aimed to explore the extent of social support and parental self-efficacy on PPD, this study was conducted among the first-time pregnant women.

    Patients and Methods: A prospective cohort study assessed the depressive symptoms and related factors among 838 first-time not depressed pregnant women from third trimester of pregnancy to 12 weeks postpartum who attended primary health centers (Jan to July 2009). The study employed Edinburgh postnatal depression scale, social support appraisals scale, network orientation scale, marital inventory, parental expectation survey and socio-demographic questionnaires. Logistic regression was used for data analysis.

    Results: The incidence of depression was 10.7% at three months post-partum. The adjusted odds ratio showed the PPD was associated with perceived social isolation (OR = 1.06; 95% CI = 1.01 - 1.12), lack of marital satisfaction (OR = 0.91; 95% CI = 0.86 - 0.97) and low parental self-efficacy (OR = 0.74; 95% CI = 0.65 - 0.85).

    Conclusions: A high incidence of PPD was identified among the first-time mothers which makes PPD one of the major health problems in females. The important effects of perceived social isolation, maternal parental self-efficacy, and marital satisfaction on reducing the risk of PPD should be considered.
    Matched MeSH terms: Prospective Studies
  11. Abdul Aziz NA, Toh TH, Loh EC, Capelle DP, Goh KJ, Abdul Latif L, et al.
    PMID: 33726578 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2021.1893336
    Objective: To compare two ALS staging systems, King's clinical staging and Milano-Torino (MiToS) functional staging, using prospective data from a multi-ethnic cohort of ALS patients. Methods: The stages of disease were determined prospectively based on existing definitions. The two systems were compared for timing of stages using box plots, correspondence using chi-square tests and association using Spearman's rank correlation. Results: The distribution of stages differed between the two systems. The proportions of disease stages of the King's staging system were more evenly distributed whereas in MiToS, there was greater weight seen at the later stages of disease. At the early stages, patients moved consecutively in the MiToS staging system but not in the King's staging system where patients tended to skip stages to reach later stages. Both systems had good correlation (Spearman's rho = 0.869) and the King's stage 4 most frequently corresponded to MiToS stage 2. Conclusion: We found the King's staging was helpful in determining the stages of disease burden, whereas both were helpful in determining the time to functional dependence with MiToS further refining the levels of dependence.
    Matched MeSH terms: Prospective Studies
  12. Abdul Hamid H, Szatkowski L, Budge H, Cheah FC, Ojha S
    BMJ Paediatr Open, 2021;5(1):e001153.
    PMID: 34514178 DOI: 10.1136/bmjpo-2021-001153
    Objective: To explore differences in nutritional practices and growth outcomes among preterm infants in neonatal units in Malaysia and the UK.

    Design: Prospective exploratory study of infants born at <34 weeks gestational age (GA).

    Setting: Two neonatal units, one in Malaysia and one in the UK (May 2019 to March 2020).

    Methods: Data collected from birth until discharge and compared between units.

    Results: From 100 infants included, median GA (IQR) was 31 (30-33) and mean±SD birth weight was 1549±444 g. There were more small-for-gestational age infants in Malaysian unit: 12/50 (24%) vs UK: 3/50 (6%), p=0.012 and more morbidities. More Malaysian infants received breast milk (Malaysia: 49 (98%) vs UK: 38 (76%), p=0.001), fortified breast milk (Malaysia: 43 (86%) vs UK: 13 (26%), p<0.001) and exclusive breast milk at discharge (Malaysia: 26 (52%) vs UK: 16 (32%), p=0.043). There was higher parenteral nutrition use among Malaysian infants (40/50 (80%)) vs UK (19/50 (38%)) (p<0.001) with higher protein intake (mean±SD Malaysia: 3.0±0.5 vs UK: 2.7±0.6 g/kg/d, p=0.004) in weeks 1-4 and smaller cumulative protein deficits (mean±SD Malaysia: 11.4±6.1 vs UK: 15.4±8.0 g/kg, p=0.006). There were no significant differences in short-term growth between units and more than half of the infants in both units had ≥1.28 changes in weight-for-age Z-score at discharge (p=0.841).

    Conclusions: An exploratory comparison of practices showed differences in patient characteristics and nutritional practices which impacted growth. Future studies with larger sample sizes and detailed analysis of maternal characteristics and infants' outcomes are needed for improving care of preterm infants in all settings.

    Matched MeSH terms: Prospective Studies
  13. Abdul Jalil RM, Yahya N, Sulaiman O, Wan Mat WR, Teo R, Izaham A, et al.
    Acta Anaesthesiol Taiwan, 2014 Jun;52(2):49-53.
    PMID: 25016507 DOI: 10.1016/j.aat.2014.05.007
    The basis for the transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block involves infiltration of a local anesthetic into the neurofascial plane between the internal oblique and the transversus abdominis muscles, causing a regional block that spreads between the L1 and T10 dermatomes. Thus, the TAP block is said to be suitable for lower abdominal surgery. This study was designed to compare the analgesic efficacy of two different concentrations of ropivacaine for TAP block in patients undergoing appendectomy.
    Matched MeSH terms: Prospective Studies
  14. Abdul Karim AK, Azrai Abu M, Chelliah B, Mohd Razi ZR, Omar MH, Othman H, et al.
    Minerva Ginecol, 2017 Oct;69(5):431-437.
    PMID: 28447444 DOI: 10.23736/S0026-4784.17.04069-2
    BACKGROUND: We conducted a study to evaluate the changes in thyroid function during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) and its association with the outcome of assisted reproductive technique (ART).

    METHODS: This is a prospective cohort study done in University Hospital Fertility Clinic for one year duration. A total of 88 euthyroid women who underwent COH as part of planned in-vitro fertilization (IVF) were invited to participate in this study. Serum thyroid function of each women will be monitored before stimulation (T1), day 10-13 of cycle (T2), during oocyte retrieval (T3), one week following embryo transfer (T4), and at four weeks after embryo transfer (T5). Reproductive outcome of IVF will be observed and documented.

    RESULTS: Nine women had ongoing singleton pregnancy, seven suffered from miscarriage, while the rest had implantation failure. Serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxine (fT4) increased throughout stimulation, peaking at 32-36 hours after hCG administration compared to baseline (1.250 vs. 1.740 mIU/L and 13.94 vs. 15.25 pmol/L). It remains elevated until one week following embryo transfer. The increment of serum TSH exceeded the upper limit, acceptable for first trimester (<1.60 mIU/L). However, the evolution of serum TSH and fT4 did not significantly differ with pregnancy outcome.

    CONCLUSIONS: In euthyroid women, thyroid function changed significantly during COH, but these changes were not different between the three reproductive outcomes. Thus, we do not suggest continuous thyroid function monitoring during COH.

    Matched MeSH terms: Prospective Studies
  15. Abdul Nasir HH, Goh HP, Wee DVT, Goh KW, Lee KS, Hermansyah A, et al.
    Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2022 Sep 09;19(18).
    PMID: 36141623 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191811350
    BACKGROUND: Medication wastage is causing a cost burden to the healthcare system that is worth millions of dollars. An economic and ecological friendly intervention such as using a patient's own medications (POM) has proven to reduce wastage and save the cost spent by the hospital. The potential benefits of using POM in inpatient settings have yet to be explored in a country with universal health coverage. This study aimed to pilot test the POM intervention in an adult ward setting and to perform the economic analysis of using POM and ward stock during hospitalization.

    METHODS: A prospective cross-sectional observational study was conducted among the patients admitted to the medical and surgical wards in a public hospital located in Brunei Darussalam between February 2022 and April 2022. Hospitalized adults above 18 years old with regular medications with a minimum length of stay of 48 h and a maximum length of stay of 21 days were included in the study. These eligible patients were divided into a POM group and a non-POM group. The economic analysis of using POM was performed by calculating the direct cost per unit of medication used during admission (from unit-use, ward stock and POM) and comparing the cost spent for both groups. Expired ward stock deemed as medication wastage was determined. Medical research ethics were approved, and all participating patients had given their written informed consent before enrolling in this study.

    RESULTS: A total of 112 patients aged 63.2 ± 15.8 years participated in this study. The average cost of medication supplied by the inpatient pharmacy for the non-POM group was USD 21.60 ± 34.20 per patient, whereas, for the POM group, it was approximately USD 13.00 ± 18.30 per patient, with a mean difference of USD 8.60 ± 5.17 per patient (95% CI: -3.95, 27.47, p ≥ 0.05). The use of POM minimized 54.03% (USD 625.04) of the total cost spent by the hospital for the POM group within the period of the study.

    CONCLUSION: The pilot study showed that the supplied medication cost per patient was not significantly different between the POM and non-POM groups. Nevertheless, the utilization of POM during hospitalization is capable of reducing at least 50% of the total cost spent on inpatient medications by the hospital. The use of POM during hospitalization also helped in reducing the total time spent on the medication process per patient.

    Matched MeSH terms: Prospective Studies
  16. Abdul Rahman Z, Hamzah SH, Hassan SA, Osman S, Md Noor SS
    J Infect Dev Ctries, 2013 Jun;7(6):448-52.
    PMID: 23771288 DOI: 10.3855/jidc.2535
    INTRODUCTION: Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) are a group of micro-organisms that are increasingly implicated as a cause of significant infection and the leading cause of bloodstream infection (BSI). One important predictor of true BSI is the isolation of CoNS from multiple blood cultures, presuming that the isolates represent the same species. Thus the objective of this study was to determine the significance of repeated CoNS isolated from blood cultures.
    METHODOLOGY: This was a prospective laboratory study which was initiated in June 2007 and lasted until July 2008. CoNS isolates were obtained from patients who had two positive blood cultures within a 14-day interval. CoNS were identified to the species level using an API-Staph, and antibiotics susceptibility testing was performed according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute specifications. Strain relatedness was confirmed using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis.
    RESULTS: During the study period, 202 CoNS-positive samples were isolated from 101 patients. The most common species isolated was Staphylococcus epidermidis (59.0%), and 83.2% of the patients isolated the same species of CoNS from repeated blood cultures. Among the isolates of the same species, only 40.7% had the same antibiogram. CoNS with the same species and antibiogram had 93.3% probability of belonging to the same strain. Most (65.5%) of the patients were treated with antibiotics, primarily from the glycopeptides group.
    CONCLUSION: Speciation and antibiogram of CoNS from repeated blood cultures are adequate in determining the significance of repeated CoNS isolated from blood cultures.
    Matched MeSH terms: Prospective Studies
  17. Abdul Rashid RM, Mohamed M, Hamid ZA, Dahlui M
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2013;14(10):5901-4.
    PMID: 24289597
    OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of different methods of recall for repeat Pap smear among women who had normal smears in the previous screening.
    DESIGN: Prospective randomized controlled study.
    SETTING: All community clinics in Klang under the Ministry of Health Malaysia.
    PARTICIPANTS: Women of Klang who attended cervical screening and had a normal Pap smear in the previous year, and were due for a repeat smear were recruited and randomly assigned to four different methods of recall for repeat smear.
    INTERVENTION: The recall methods given to the women to remind them for a repeat smear were either by postal letter, registered letter, short message by phone (SMS) or phone call.
    MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Number and percentage of women who responded to the recall within 8 weeks after they had received the recall, irrespective whether they had Pap test conducted. Also the numbers of women in each recall method that came for repeat Pap smear.
    RESULTS: The rates of recall messages reaching the women when using letter, registered letter, SMS and phone calls were 79%, 87%, 66% and 68%, respectively. However, the positive responses to recall by letter, registered letter, phone messages and telephone call were 23.9%, 23.0%, 32.9% and 50.9%, respectively (p<0.05). Furthermore, more women who received recall by phone call had been screened (p<0.05) compared to those who received recall by postal letter (OR=2.38, CI=1.56-3.62).
    CONCLUSION: Both the usual way of sending letters and registered letters had higher chances of reaching patients compared to using phone either for sending messages or calling. The response to the recall method and uptake of repeat smear, however, were highest via phone call, indicating the importance of direct communication.
    Study site: Klinik Kesihatan, Kelang, Selangor, Malaysia
    Matched MeSH terms: Prospective Studies
  18. Abdul Samad S, Yusoff H, Fadilah SAW
    Med J Malaysia, 2001 Mar;56(1):32-8.
    PMID: 11503293
    A biotin-avidin-linked immunosorbent assay was developed to detect Aspergillus antigens in sera of immunocompromised patients. The assay was based on a double antibody sandwich ELISA using polyclonal antibodies raised against water-soluble antigens of Aspergillus fumigatus. Aspergillus antigens were positive in sera of 9 of 16 (56%) patients who were studied prospectively and in 13 of 73 (19%) patients studied retrospectively. The 9 prospectively studied patients who were antigen positive were febrile neutropenic hematological malignancy patients who exhibited a high risk of acquiring invasive aspergillosis.
    Matched MeSH terms: Prospective Studies
  19. Abdul-Aziz MH, Sulaiman H, Mat-Nor MB, Rai V, Wong KK, Hasan MS, et al.
    Intensive Care Med, 2016 Oct;42(10):1535-1545.
    PMID: 26754759 DOI: 10.1007/s00134-015-4188-0
    PURPOSE: This study aims to determine if continuous infusion (CI) is associated with better clinical and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) outcomes compared to intermittent bolus (IB) dosing in critically ill patients with severe sepsis.

    METHODS: This was a two-centre randomised controlled trial of CI versus IB dosing of beta-lactam antibiotics, which enrolled critically ill participants with severe sepsis who were not on renal replacement therapy (RRT). The primary outcome was clinical cure at 14 days after antibiotic cessation. Secondary outcomes were PK/PD target attainment, ICU-free days and ventilator-free days at day 28 post-randomisation, 14- and 30-day survival, and time to white cell count normalisation.

    RESULTS: A total of 140 participants were enrolled with 70 participants each allocated to CI and IB dosing. CI participants had higher clinical cure rates (56 versus 34 %, p = 0.011) and higher median ventilator-free days (22 versus 14 days, p MIC than the IB arm on day 1 (97 versus 70 %, p 

    Matched MeSH terms: Prospective Studies
  20. Abdul-Aziz MH, Abd Rahman AN, Mat-Nor MB, Sulaiman H, Wallis SC, Lipman J, et al.
    Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 2016 01;60(1):206-14.
    PMID: 26482304 DOI: 10.1128/AAC.01543-15
    Doripenem has been recently introduced in Malaysia and is used for severe infections in the intensive care unit. However, limited data currently exist to guide optimal dosing in this scenario. We aimed to describe the population pharmacokinetics of doripenem in Malaysian critically ill patients with sepsis and use Monte Carlo dosing simulations to develop clinically relevant dosing guidelines for these patients. In this pharmacokinetic study, 12 critically ill adult patients with sepsis receiving 500 mg of doripenem every 8 h as a 1-hour infusion were enrolled. Serial blood samples were collected on 2 different days, and population pharmacokinetic analysis was performed using a nonlinear mixed-effects modeling approach. A two-compartment linear model with between-subject and between-occasion variability on clearance was adequate in describing the data. The typical volume of distribution and clearance of doripenem in this cohort were 0.47 liters/kg and 0.14 liters/kg/h, respectively. Doripenem clearance was significantly influenced by patients' creatinine clearance (CL(CR)), such that a 30-ml/min increase in the estimated CL(CR) would increase doripenem CL by 52%. Monte Carlo dosing simulations suggested that, for pathogens with a MIC of 8 mg/liter, a dose of 1,000 mg every 8 h as a 4-h infusion is optimal for patients with a CL(CR) of 30 to 100 ml/min, while a dose of 2,000 mg every 8 h as a 4-h infusion is best for patients manifesting a CL(CR) of >100 ml/min. Findings from this study suggest that, for doripenem usage in Malaysian critically ill patients, an alternative dosing approach may be meritorious, particularly when multidrug resistance pathogens are involved.
    Matched MeSH terms: Prospective Studies
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