In West Malaysia RA appears to be less common than in temperate climates, but more common than in tropical Africa; furthermore, the incidence of gout and SLE is comparable. The clinical manifestations of RA are milder than those seen in more temperate climates. Subcutaneous rheumatoid nodules have not been observed. Positive serological tests for RF are significantly higher than in the general Malaysian population, but still lower than those reported for patients with RA in temperate climates. Of the three main ethnic groups, the highest incidence of positive results is found in the Chinese.
Study site: Arthritis Clinic, University Hospital, Kuala Lumpur (University Malaya Medical Centre, UMMC, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
To explore the possibility that environmental and/or genetic factors may yield clues to the etiology of osteogenic sarcoma, an epidemiologic retrospective study of all cases of osteogenic sarcoma in a country with clear geographic and racial variables (Malaysia) was conducted covering a 4-year period. Sixty-eight cases were identified (+85% of the predicted total). The incidence (cases per 100,000 population per year) was 0.11 in Malay, 0.23 in the Chinese, and 0.23 in the Indian. The urban versus rural incidence in the Malay was 0.22 versus 0.09, and in the Chinese 0.31 versus 0.18. The Indian population was too small when dividied into urban and rural segments to be significant.
A retrospective study of birthweights, the incidence, and possible aetiology of low birthweight in 31,490 Nigerian children, delivered in two hospitals at Ibadan, is reported. The important findings were: (a) mean birthweights for males (3,000 gm), and for females (2,880 gm) in a non-teaching hospital were significantly higher than 2,980 gm and 2,860 gm for males and females respectively in the teaching hospital; (b) the mean birthweights for boys were significantly higher than those for girls in both hospitals; (c) these mean birthweights, though generally higher than previous reports from Nigeria, were significantly lower than those for North American Caucasian and Negro babies, and of babies of three different racial groups in Malaysia. Other interesting, though expected findings were: (a) a high incidence of low birthweight (15.5 per cent) and (b) a high incidence of small for dates babies (60 per cent). It is suggested that since birthweights, the incidence of low birthweight and its aetiology are vital in the planning of health care in any country, a prospective study involving many urban and rural areas of the country and including factors known to influence birthweight should be undertaken.
Following the suggestion that it was possible that cases of melioidosis amongst those who had been exposed abroad in the past, might be escaping notice, 487 Royal Marines were examined by indirect haemagglutination studies. Four hundred and eleven of these subjects had served for variable times in areas where melioidosis has been known to occur in Indonesia and Malaya, between 1960 and 1974, occupied in activities in the jungle and paddy fields during which exposure to the disease was to be expected. No evidence of residual subclinical melioidosis was found and it seems unlikely that recrudescent disease will prove to be a problem in the future for English servicemen who have been in South East Asia.
A retrospective analysis of 102 cases of hydatidiform moles seen in the Maternity Hospital, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, is presented. The incidence was 1 : 669. The tumour was more common In the Malays and in the lower social class patients. No specific age group or parity group was exempted. Vaginal bleeding and amenorrhoea were prominent features. Hyperemesis and abdominal cramps occurred less commonly. The uterine size was larger than dates in 62.7% of patients. Pre-eclampsia complicated 23.5% of the moles and Its severity was inversely related to the uterine size. Spontaneous abortion occurred In 57.8% of patients at a mean gestational period of 19 weeks.
Study site: Maternity Hospital Kuala
Lumpur, Malaysia
This is a report of migraine from Malaysia. 17 migraineurs are studied with respect to age, sex, ethnic group, occupation, age of onset, length of disease,' precipitating factors, relieving factors and family history. Similarities and differences between Malaysians and Caucasians are discussed.
Study site: Neurology clinic, Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Following the opening of the University Hospital of the University of Malaya in 1967, over 126,000 patients (excluding obstetric patients) have been admitted. A retrospective review, run concurrently with a prospective study, of over 200 patients thought to have suffered from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) revealed that, up until the 31st December 1975, 175 patients fulfilled the criteria for the diagnosis of SLE. There was a highly significant increase in the diagnosis of SLE over this period among Chinese patients compared to all other races, and no significant differencein the diagnosis of SLE among Indian and Malay patients. A review of the literature revealed that SLE appears to be a worldwide disease, reported frequently from Chinese communities but infrequently from tropical Africa. It is concluded that SLE is more common in the Chinese from Peninsular Malaysia than the other races, and that a careful study of geographical and racial factors in SLE may contribute to further understanding of its pathogenesis.
Despite the high prevalence of oral ulcers little is known about what causes them and how best they can be treated. Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is a' chronic inflammatory disease characterized by painful recurring ulcerations of the oral mucosa. RAS can be clinically subdivided into four varieties viz - minor aphthous ulcer, major aphthous ulcer, herpetiform ulcers and Behcet's syndrome. A report on 134 patients with RAS is reported. Minor aphthous ulcer (63%) followed by major aphthous ulcer (29%) were the most frequent. A review of current research on RAS is summarized.
Study site: Department of Stomatology, Institute for Medical Research, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia