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Modifiable risk factors and overall cardiovascular mortality: Moderation of urbanization

Sajid MR, Muhammad N, Zakaria R, Bukhari SAC

J Public Health Res, 2020 Oct 14;9(4):1893.
PMID: 33244464 DOI: 10.4081/jphr.2020.1893

Background: Modifiable risk factors are associated with cardiovascular mortality (CVM) which is a leading form of global mortality. However, diverse nature of urbanization and its objective measurement can modify their relationship. This study aims to investigate the moderating role of urbanization in the relationship of combined exposure (CE) of modifiable risk factors and CVM. Design and Methods: This is the first comprehensive study which considers different forms of urbanization to gauge its manifold impact. Therefore, in addition to existing original quantitative form and traditional two categories of urbanization, a new form consisted of four levels of urbanization was duly introduced. This study used data of 129 countries mainly retrieved from a WHO report, Non-Communicable Diseases Country Profile 2014. Factor scores obtained through confirmatory factor analysis were used to compute the CE. Age-income adjusted regression model for CVM was tested as a baseline with three bootstrap regression models developed for the three forms of urbanization. Results: Results revealed that the CE and CVM baseline relationship was significantly moderated through the original quantitative form of urbanization. Contrarily, the two traditional categories of urbanization could not capture the moderating impact. However, the four levels of urbanization were objectively estimated the urbanization impact and subsequently indicated that the CE was more alarming in causing the CVM in levels 2 and 3 urbanized countries, mainly from low-middle-income countries. Conclusion: This study concluded that the urbanization is a strong moderator and it could be gauged effectively through four levels whereas sufficiency of two traditional categories of urbanization is questionable.

Matched MeSH terms: Risk Factors
Fulltext Diagnosing Perioperative Cardiovascular Risks in Noncardiac Surgery Patients

Li P, Lei Y, Li Q, Lakshmipriya T, Gopinath SCB, Gong X

J Anal Methods Chem, 2019;2019:6097375.
PMID: 31534814 DOI: 10.1155/2019/6097375

Every year, over 200 million adults are undergoing noncardiac surgery. These noncardiac surgery patients may face the risk of cardiac mortality and morbidity during the perioperative and recovery periods. Around ten million patients who underwent noncardiac surgery experience cardiac complications within the first 30 days of the postoperative period; the complications are myocardial infarction, cardiac death, and cardiac arrest. This cardiovascular risk is mostly faced by the patients having cerebrovascular or cardiac disease and the patients with the age greater than 50 years. Monitoring and treating cardiac diseases with a suitable biomarker during the perioperative period is necessary for the early recovery of noncardiac surgery patients. This review discussed the risk factors and the key guidelines to avoid the cardiovascular risks during the perioperative period of noncardiac surgery patients. In addition, the biomarkers and identification strategies for cardiac diseases are discussed.

Matched MeSH terms: Risk Factors
Fulltext Diabetes Mellitus as a Risk Factor of Interval Colon Cancer

Brož J, Salih FMA

Dig Dis, 2020;38(1):31.
PMID: 31336373 DOI: 10.1159/000501550
Matched MeSH terms: Risk Factors
Review: Epidemiology of Helicobacter pylori infection

Leja M, Grinberga-Derica I, Bilgilier C, Steininger C

Helicobacter, 2019 Sep;24 Suppl 1:e12635.
PMID: 31486242 DOI: 10.1111/hel.12635

This review summarizes recent publications on the epidemiology of Helicobacter pylori. Two major systemic analyses, from Malaysia and Ethiopia, were published. The Brazilian Consensus Conference has stated that H pylori infection is an infectious disease with an indication for antimicrobial therapy. A continuous decrease in H pylori prevalence was reported from many regions worldwide, including Korea, China, Iran, and Austria. A cross-sectional H pylori prevalence study conducted in the United Arab Emirates found 41% prevalence in a group of healthy children and adults. Several studies from Asia addressed H pylori prevalence in adults undergoing regular checkup. The largest of such studies, performed in Korea, involved 24 471 subjects and reported 41.5% seroprevalence. A relatively smaller study from East China on 3252 subjects reported 27.5% prevalence. In contrast, a study from Spain reported 87.2% seroprevalence. A report on the association between smoking and H pylori seropositivity was published on behalf of the Stomach Cancer Pooling (StoP) Project-a consortium of epidemiological studies of gastric cancer. Also, other potential risk factors, including occupational risk factors, water supply, and food were analyzed. Gastroesophageal reflux and sexual partners has been associated with a higher risk for H pylori acquisition, and gut microbiota was suggested to play a role in intrafamilial transmission of H pylori. Finally, in a few studies (from Mexico and Japan), the catalytic model for predicting the potential risk of acquiring H pylori infection in the future was used. As anticipated, a further decline in H pylori-related disease was demonstrated by applying the modeling.

Matched MeSH terms: Risk Factors
Fulltext Understanding the tuberculosis disease progression and future directions of research in tuberculosis: a mini review

Siti, H.N., Syarifah-Noratiqah, S.B., Zulfarina, M.S., Isa, N.M., Kamisah, Y.

Medicine & Health, 2018;13(1):20-28.
MyJurnal

Eradication of tuberculosis seems to be a long way off especially with the growing of drug resistance tuberculosis and HIV co-infection tuberculosis. The gaps in our knowledge and the limited sensitive and specific biomarkers especially for latent tuberculosis infection make it defensive. The fate of tuberculosis treatment ranged from cured to failure and there are many risk factors involved apart from the immune state and age. Therefore, this review focuses on the understanding of tuberculosis disease progression and the associated risk factors of the events in the disease progression. This article also highlights the diagnostic and predictive marker that may predict the disease progression. In addition, this review highlights the potential use of rifabutin in tuberculosis treatment regimen. It is hoped that this review could give an overview on future directions of research in tuberculosis.

Matched MeSH terms: Risk Factors
Correlation of cognitive impairment with constipation and renal failure

Eshkoor SA, Tengku Aizan Hamid, Chan YM

Sains Malaysiana, 2016;45:1357-1361.

The improvement of health care support has greatly extended the average life expectancy over the last 50 years, which
has increased the rate of cognitive decline consequently. The avoidance of risk factors such as toxins, stress and somatic
diseases can be protective against the reduction of cognitive function in the elderly. This study aimed to determine the
effects of socio-demographic factors, constipation and renal failure on cognitive status among 2322 samples who were
the non-institutionalized Malaysian elderly. The multiple logistic regression analysis was applied to estimate the risk of
such factors on cognitive decline in subjects. Approximately, 77.54% of samples experienced cognitive impairment. The
results showed that advanced age (odds ratio (OR) = 1.03), Malay ethnic (OR = 2.15), constipation (OR = 3.31) and renal
failure (OR= 4.42), significantly increased the risk of cognitive impairment in subjects (p<0.05). In addition, education
(OR = 0.38) significantly reduced the risk. However, we concluded that age, Malay ethnic, constipation and renal failure
increased the risk of cognitive impairment in subjects but education reduced the risk.

Matched MeSH terms: Risk Factors
Fulltext The Effects of Different Outdoor Environments, Sunglasses and Hats on Light Levels: Implications for Myopia Prevention

Lanca C, Teo A, Vivagandan A, Htoon HM, Najjar RP, Spiegel DP, et al.

Transl Vis Sci Technol, 2019 Jul;8(4):7.
PMID: 31360613 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.8.4.7

Purpose: Lack of outdoor time is a known risk factor for myopia. Knowledge of the light levels reaching the eye and exposure settings, including sun-protective measures, is essential for outdoor programs and myopia. We evaluated the impact of sun-protective strategies (hat and sunglasses) on maintaining high illuminance levels to prevent myopia.
Methods: A child-sized mannequin head was developed to measure light illuminance levels with and without sun-protective equipment, across a wide range of environments in Singapore, outdoors (open park, under a tree, street) and indoors (under a fluorescent illumination with window, under white LED-based lighting without window). A comparison was made between indoor and outdoor light levels that are experienced while children are involved in day-to-day activities.
Results: Outdoor light levels were much higher (11,080-18,176 lux) than indoors (112-156 lux). The higher lux levels protective of myopia (>1000 lux) were measured at the tree shade (5556-7876 lux) and with hat (4112-8156 lux). Sunglasses showed lux levels between 1792 and 6800 lux. Although with sunglasses readings were lower than tree shade and hat, light levels were still 11 to 43 times higher than indoors.
Conclusions: Recommendations on spending time outdoors for myopia prevention with adequate sun protection should be provided while partaking in outdoor activities, including protection under shaded areas, wearing a hat or sunglasses, sunscreen, and adequate hydration.
Translational Relevance: Light levels outdoors were higher than indoors and above the threshold illuminance for myopia prevention even with adequate sun-protective measures.

Matched MeSH terms: Risk Factors
Current Perspectives on Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Lee HM, Okuda KS, González FE, Patel V

Adv Exp Med Biol, 2019;1164:11-34.
PMID: 31576537 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-22254-3_2

Of the ~129,079 new cases of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and 72,987 associated deaths estimated for 2018, the majority will be geographically localized to South East Asia, and likely to show an upward trend annually. It is thought that disparities in dietary habits, lifestyle, and exposures to harmful environmental factors are likely the root cause of NPC incidence rates to differ geographically. Genetic differences due to ethnicity and the Epstein Barr virus (EBV) are likely contributing factors. Pertinently, NPC is associated with poor prognosis which is largely attributed to lack of awareness of the salient symptoms of NPC. These include nose hemorrhage and headaches and coupled with detection and the limited therapeutic options. Treatment options include radiotherapy or chemotherapy or combination of both. Surgical excision is generally the last option considered for advanced and metastatic disease, given the close proximity of nasopharynx to brain stem cell area, major blood vessels, and nerves. To improve outcome of NPC patients, novel cellular and in vivo systems are needed to allow an understanding of the underling molecular events causal for NPC pathogenesis and for identifying novel therapeutic targets and effective therapies. While challenges and gaps in current NPC research are noted, some advances in targeted therapies and immunotherapies targeting EBV NPCs are discussed in this chapter, which may offer improvements in outcome of NPC patients.

Matched MeSH terms: Risk Factors
Fulltext Incidence and predictors of early seizures in intracerebral haemorrhage and the effect of tranexamic acid

Law ZK, England TJ, Mistri AK, Woodhouse LJ, Cala L, Dineen R, et al.

Eur Stroke J, 2020 Jun;5(2):123-129.
PMID: 32637645 DOI: 10.1177/2396987320901391

Introduction: Seizures are common after intracerebral haemorrhage. Tranexamic acid increases the risk of seizures in non-intracerebral haemorrhage population but its effect on post-intracerebral haemorrhage seizures is unknown. We explored the risk factors and outcomes of seizures after intracerebral haemorrhage and if tranexamic acid increased the risk of seizures in the Tranexamic acid for IntraCerebral Haemorrhage-2 trial.
Patients and methods: Seizures were reported prospectively up to day 90. Cox regression analyses were used to determine the predictors of seizures within 90 days and early seizures (≤7 days). We explored the effect of early seizures on day 90 outcomes.
Results: Of 2325 patients recruited, 193 (8.3%) had seizures including 163 (84.5%) early seizures and 30 (15.5%) late seizures (>7 days). Younger age (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 0.98 per year increase, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.97-0.99; p = 0.008), lobar haematoma (aHR 5.84, 95%CI 3.58-9.52; p risk of seizure within 90 days. Early seizures were associated with worse modified Rankin Scale (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.79, 95%CI 1.12-2.86, p = 0.015) and increased risk of death (aOR 3.26, 95%CI 1.98-5.39; p risk of post-intracerebral haemorrhage seizures in the first 90 days. Early seizures resulted in worse functional outcome and increased risk of death.

Matched MeSH terms: Risk Factors
Gestational diabetes mellitus in primigravidae: a mild disease

Ismail NA, Aris NM, Mahdy ZA, Ahmad S, Naim NM, Siraj HH, et al.

Acta Medica (Hradec Kralove), 2011;54(1):21-4.
PMID: 21542419 DOI: 10.14712/18059694.2016.12

This prospective observational study was done to analyse the prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) among primigravidae and its outcome. All healthy primigravidae with singleton pregnancies were offered universal glucose tolerance testing between 16 and 28 weeks gestation. GDM and non GDM groups were managed according to hospital protocol. The antenatal features and pregnancy outcomes were analysed. Out of 616 primigravidae, 113 (18.34%) were GDM with slightly older (27.9 +/- 4.2 versus 26.32 +/- 3.3, p < 0.001) age. The mean fasting and two hours postprandial blood glucose in both groups were 4.99 +/- 1.08 mmol/l, 8.86 +/- 1.41 mmol/l(GDM) and 4.36 +/- 0.43 mmol/l, 5.71 +/- 1.11 mmol/l (Non GDM), respectively. Maternal family history of diabetes mellitus, weight exceeding 80 Kg, polyhydramnios (2.65% versus 0.2%, p = 0.028) and neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia (9.73% versus 2.98%, p = 0.01) occurred significantly more frequent in the GDM group compared to normal. There was no significant difference in other pregnancy outcomes and complications between the two groups. In conclusion GDM in primigravidae was detected at a relatively young age with more frequent maternal family history of DM, weight exceeding 80 Kg, polyhydromnions and neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia. The degree of disease was mild and treatment led to no significant complication.

Matched MeSH terms: Risk Factors
How to improve CVD risk prediction in a low-risk population [abstract]

Chia YC

J Hypertens, 2016 Sep;34 Suppl 1 - ISH 2016 Abstract Book:e16-e17.
PMID: 27753834

Conference abstract SY04-4: Many cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk prediction tools have been developed in an attempt to identify those at highest risk in order for them to benefit from interventional treatment. The first CVD risk tool that was developed was the coronary heart disease risk tool by the Framingham Heart Study in 1998 (1). However the Framingham Risk Score could overestimate (or underestimate) risk in populations other than the US population. Hence several other risk engines have also been developed, primarily for a better fit in the communities in which the tools are to be used (2, 3). Having said that the Framingham Heart Study risk tool has been validated in several populations (4, 5) and found to work reasonably well after some recalibration.Most risk prediction tools predict short term risk ie over a period of 10 years but since more recently risk tools now attempt to predict life-time risk or at least risk over the next 30 years. (6-8). The practical use of these risk prediction tools is that it is able to separate those at high risk (ie > 20% risk of a CVD event fatal or non-fatal event in the next 10 years) from those with the lowest risk (< 10% risk over 10 years). It then helps practitioners to triage them to either receive preventive therapy (high risk group) or none at all (low risk group) respectively. However in those with medium risk ie between 10-20%, the decision to offer treatment or not is less clear. In such a situation, other CVD risk factors for example family history of premature coronary heart disease, other biomarkers like elevated hs-CRP, presence of chronic kidney disease or albuminuria can be employed to further stratify risk.It is known that risk prediction tools are very much age dependent and in a younger individual with mildly raised CVD risk factors, his global CVD risk may be grossly under-estimated. Here additional CVD risk factors beyond those traditionally used in risk engines should be sought in order to recalibrate that individual's seemingly low risk and earlier intervention introduced if indeed he is of higher risk than what has been predicted by the conventional risk tools. Here too the use of life-time risk is probably of more importance than the traditional 10 year risk tool, again in order to identify those seemingly at "low" risk 10 year risk to receive treatment if the life-time risk is greater compared to an individual of the same age with optimal parameters. Furthermore while it is known that those with highest risk benefit the most from intervention, it is the population at large with the low or lower risk which contributes most to total CV morbidity and mortality in a country or community.Hence while short term risk prediction to identify those at highest risk is useful particularly in the presence of limited resources, attention should also be paid to those with short term low risk if the aim is to reduce CVD morbidity and mortality in any substantial way.

Matched MeSH terms: Risk Factors
Patient and procedure selection for bariatric and metabolic surgery in Malaysia- The Malaysian Consensus

Gafoor AM, Reynu R, Kirubakaran M, Vimal Kumar V, Nik Ritza NM, Tikfun G, et al.

Med J Malaysia, 2021 03;76(2):229-232.
PMID: 33742633

The rise in obesity has fuelled the current debate of its classification as a disease. Contrary to just being a medical condition or a risk factor for other diseases, obesity is a complex disease with multifaceted aetiology as well as its own disabling capacities, pathophysiology, and comorbidities. The problem of obesity in Malaysia is serious and calls for active intervention by all stakeholders ranging from government agencies to insurers and healthcare providers. To aid efforts to curb obesity, this consensus statement for bariatric surgery provides a basis for inclusion and exclusion criteria as well as the types of procedures accepted as the norm in Malaysia. This consensus statement was initiated by the Society of Endoscopic and Laparoscopic Surgeons of Malaysia and was collaborated with representatives from the Ministry of Health Malaysia.

Matched MeSH terms: Risk Factors
Fulltext Overweight: Its associated risk factors and health related conditions among adults in Kampung Tiga Papan. [Abstract]

Sia YL, Juis E, Reddy J, Sepen A, Lam PJ, Vijayan V, et al.

Borneo Journal of Medical Sciences, 2018;12(101):33-0.
MyJurnal DOI: 10.51200/bjms.v0i0.1381

Abstracts of 4th Scientific Research Conference, organised by the Department of Community and Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sabah.
Background: Malaysia has been ranked the fattest country in Southeast Asia. Overweight and obesity are the fifth leading risk factor for death globally in 2008. It may lead to increase of risk of non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer and hypertension.
Objectives: This research aimed to determine the prevalence of overweight and association of overweight with sociodemography, lifestyle as well as its health related conditions of adults in Kampung Tiga Papan.
Methods: Cross-sectional analytical study was used to achieve our specific objectives. A total of 199 adults aged 18 years and above in Kampung Tiga Papan had been recruited by non-probability sampling method. Sociodemographic data and lifestyle adopted were obtained via validated questionnaire, the BMI status of respondents were calculated, blood pressure was measured and DASS-21 score was used to assess mental health of the respondents.
Results: There are 118 (59.3%) respondents categorized into overweight group (BMI>23 kg/m2) and 130 (65.3%) respondents are having abdominal obesity (Waist-hip ratio: male>0.9 and female>0.8). There are significant association between gender, household-income, alcohol status and preference of food and BMI status. Besides, there are significant association between gender, household income, alcohol and smoking status and significant increased risk of hypertension in overweight group.
Conclusion: Overweight is associated to some sociodemographic and lifestyle factors. It helps to target high risk population and community intervention can be done to reduce the prevalence of overweight

Matched MeSH terms: Risk Factors
Fulltext Seroprevalence and Distribution of Leptospiral Serovars in Livestock (cattle, Goats, and Sheep) in Flood-prone Kelantan, Malaysia

Sabri Abdul Rahman M, Khairani Bejo S, Zakaria Z, Hassan L, Azri Roslan M

J Vet Res, 2021 Mar;65(1):53-58.
PMID: 33817395 DOI: 10.2478/jvetres-2021-0003

Introduction: Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that affects both humans and animals, the occurrence of which increases markedly during and after heavy rainfall and flooding. The aim of this study was to determine the serological prevalence of leptospiral infection in livestock after a voluminous flood in 10 districts of the Malaysian state of Kelantan.
Material and Methods: In December 2014, Kelantan was hit by an extensive flood. A total of 1,728 serum samples were collected from livestock from the state, comprised of 1,024 from cattle, 366 from goats and 338 from sheep, and they were tested using the microscopic agglutination test (MAT).
Results: Altogether, 203 (11.75%; 203/1728; 95% CI: 10.20%-13.30%) of the tested sera were found to be positive serologically. Cattle had the highest prevalence of 14.16% (145/1024), while goats and sheep had 11.20% (41/366) and 5.03% (17/338) respectively. The most frequent serovars detected were Hardjo-bovis (3.70%; 64/1728), Hebdomadis (2.08%; 36/1728) and Pomona (1.04%; 18/1728). There was a statistically significant association (P < 0.05) between livestock that were exposed to the flood and seropositivity.
Conclusion: This study showed that flood is a risk factor that can play a role in the epidemiology of leptospiral infection in livestock.

Matched MeSH terms: Risk Factors
Fulltext Exposure risk assessment of the municipal waste collection activities during COVID-19 pandemic

Salvaraji L, Jeffree MS, Avoi R, Atil A, Mohd Akhir H, Shamsudin SBB, et al.

J Public Health Res, 2020 Oct 14;9(4):1994.
PMID: 33312989 DOI: 10.4081/jphr.2020.1994

An increasing amount of waste concurrently further extends the risk of exposure to hazardous material among waste collectors. In light of the COVID-19 crisis, municipal waste collectors are one of the most at-risk groups of SARS-Cov-2 exposure. Risk assessment included hazard identification, evaluation of existing control level at the workplace, estimation of likelihood and severity of hazard, risk determination, and control measure recommendations. Five waste collection activities were identified and reviewed. High-risk exposure includes collection of garbage, mechanical manipulation of compactor lorries and unloading of garbage at the disposal site. There is poor practice of personal hygiene and unestablished continuous monitoring of personal protective equipment supplies. The preventive measures in the waste collection industry are influenced by several factors. Until the preventive measures are adopted into practice and adapted according to each company's requirements, biological agents continue to be risk factor to the health workers.

Matched MeSH terms: Risk Factors
The scope for primary prevention of coronary heart disease in Malaysia

Quek DKL

Family Practitioner, 1988;11(1):90-91.

Cardiovascular disease has been the premier cause of hospital-registered deaths in Malaysia for the past 8 years. Among these reported deaths, 31% were caused by coronary heart disease in 1982. A healthy lifestyle to control the coronary risk factors would help to reduce the incidence of coronary heart disease in future.

Matched MeSH terms: Risk Factors
Fulltext Identification of risk factors for myopia questionnaire in the Malay language among primary school children in Malaysia

Nur Liyana I., Sharanjeet-Kaur, Saadah M.A., Mahadir A., Abdul Mutalib O.

International Medical Journal Malaysia, 2018;17(1):127-134.
MyJurnal

This study aimed to develop a questionnaire in Malay language for the identification of risk factors for myopia among primary school children aged 10 to 12 years old in Malaysia. Materials and Methods: The study commenced in October 2012 till Julai 2013 in two main phases. The first phase was a pilot study for the construction of questionnaire items by literature review and discussion with the experts. A total of 103 parents of primary school children were randomly selected to test the comprehensibility of the preliminary questionnaire. The second phase was the actual study which involved parents of 353 primary school children , 132 were parents whose children were myopes and 221 parents whose children were nonmyopes. Results: Discussions with experts in human vision science identified 5 main domains and 71 items for the preliminary questionnaire. A total of 55 items were retained for the actual study phase in view of statistically good correlation (r = 0.4 and above). Predictive validity by chi-square test allowed 28 items to be retained because of significant association with myopia (p

Matched MeSH terms: Risk Factors
Fulltext Fall awareness behaviour and its associated factors among community dwelling older adults

Goh JW, Singh DKA, Mesbah N, Hanafi AAM, Azwan AF

BMC Geriatr, 2021 04 06;21(1):226.
PMID: 33823808 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-021-02122-z

BACKGROUND: Falls are one of the major causes of mortality and morbidity in older adults. However, despite adoption of prevention strategies, the number of falls in older adults has not declined. The aim of this study was to examine fall awareness behaviour and its associated factors among Malaysian community dwelling older adults.
METHODS: A total of 144 community dwelling older adults (mean age of 70.69 ± 4.3 years) participated in this study. Physical performance were assessed using timed up and go (TUG), gait speed (GS), chair stand and hand grip tests. Fall Awareness Behaviour (FaB) and Fall Risk Assessment Questionnaires (FRAQ) were administered to assess behaviour and fall prevention knowledge respectively.
RESULTS: Stepwise linear regression analysis showed that the practice of fall awareness behaviour (R2 = 0.256) was significantly associated with being male [95% C.I: 2.178 to 7.789, p

Matched MeSH terms: Risk Factors
Fulltext Modifiable and non-modifiable epidemiological risk factors for acne, acne severity and acne scarring among Malaysian Chinese: a cross-sectional study

Say YH, Heng AHS, Reginald K, Wong YR, Teh KF, Rawanan Shah SM, et al.

BMC Public Health, 2021 03 27;21(1):601.
PMID: 33773591 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-10681-4

BACKGROUND: Acne vulgaris, a highly prevalent multifactorial inflammatory skin disease, can be categorised into different severity and scarring grades based on the type, number, and severity of lesions. While many epidemiology studies have investigated the risk factors for acne presentation, fewer studies have specifically studied the risk factors for acne severity and scarring. Therefore, this study investigated the prevalence of acne, acne severity and scarring grades, and their associated non-modifiable and modifiable epidemiological risk factors among Malaysian Chinese.
METHODS: A total of 1840 subjects (1117 cases/723 controls) completed an investigator-administered questionnaire as part of a cross-sectional study, which include socio-demographics, familial history, lifestyle factors, dietary habits, and acne history. Acne cases were further evaluated for their severity (n = 1051) and scarring (n = 1052) grades by a trained personnel.
RESULTS: Majority of the acne cases (up to 69%) had mild acne or Grade 1/2 scarring, while 21.6% had moderate/severe acne and 5.5% had Grade 3/4 scarring. Males had significantly higher risk of presenting with higher grades of acne scarring. Those who had acne, regardless of severity and scarring grades, had strong positive familial history (either in parents and/or sibling). Frequent consumption (most or all days) of foods that are commonly consumed during breakfast (butter, probiotic drinks, cereals and milk) decreased the risk for acne presentation and higher acne scarring, while periodic consumption (once/twice per week) of nuts and burgers/fast food decreased the risk for higher acne severity. Alcohol drinking was significantly associated with increased risk for acne presentation, while paternal, parental and household smoking were associated with reduced risk of more severe acne.
CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, positive familial history is a strong predisposing factor in influencing acne presentation, severity and scarring. Frequent consumption of foods that are commonly consumed during breakfast is protective against acne presentation.

Matched MeSH terms: Risk Factors
Fulltext Burden of cancers attributable to modifiable risk factors in Malaysia

Teh HS, Woon YL

BMC Public Health, 2021 02 26;21(1):410.
PMID: 33637056 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-10412-9

BACKGROUND: This is a systematic assessment of the burden of cancers in Malaysia in 2018 using epidemiologic approach. The purpose of this study was to identify the proportion of cancers in Malaysia that were attributable to the modifiable risk factors of excess weight, alcohol intake, physical inactivity, tobacco smoking and to estimate the number of cancer cases that could be prevented if the exposure to the modifiable risk factor was reduced.
METHODS: We estimated the Population Attributable Fraction (PAF) of the modifiable risk factors to cancers incidences in Malaysia. The two parameters used for the estimation were exposure prevalence from national representative surveys and the relative risk of getting the cancers from worldwide literature review.
RESULTS: Among 38,426 cancer incidences in 2018 from Globocan data, we estimated that 22.2% (95% confidence interval (CI):14.9 to 29.6%) of the cancer incidences included in this study were attributable to the investigated modifiable risk factors. 39.1% (95% CI:27.2 to 49.7%) and 10.5% (95% CI:5.8 to 15.7%) of cancers in male and female respectively, were attributable to the studied modifiable risk factors. The top main cancers attributed by the risk factors were lung cancer (65.1%; 95% CI:56.4 to 72.9%), laryngeal cancer (63.6%; 95% CI:39.9 to 80.5%), and oesophageal cancer (51.5%; 95% CI:39.9 to 62.0%). For each risk factor studied across genders, tobacco smoking contributed the most (14.3%; 95% CI:9.9 to 17.3%), followed by excess weight (7.0%; 95% CI:4.1 to 10.2%), physical inactivity (1.0%; 95% CI:0.4 to 1.7%) and alcohol intake (0.6%; 95% CI:0.2 to 1.0%).
CONCLUSION: Findings from this study suggests that tobacco smoking and excess weight are the two predominant factors out of the four studied risk factors for cancer cases in Malaysia. Nationwide public health prevention campaigns tailored to these risk factors are recommended. However, the other risk factors such as physical inactivity and alcohol intake shall not be neglected. PAFs are estimated based on the best available data that we have currently. Regular collection of other risk factor exposure prevalence data is vital for future analyses.

Matched MeSH terms: Risk Factors

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