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  1. Quantitative ultrasound measurement of the calcaneus in Southeast Asian children with thalassemia: comparison with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry
    Sani FM, Sarji SA, Bilgen M
    J Ultrasound Med, 2011 Jul;30(7):883-94.
    PMID: 21705720
    OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that quantitative ultrasound properties of the calcaneus in Southeast Asian children treated for thalassemia have different characteristics than those of their healthy counterparts and thereby can be used for assessing the risk of osteoporosis.

    METHODS: Broadband ultrasound attenuation and the speed of sound were measured from groups of thalassemic and healthy children and compared with bone mineral density (BMD) estimated from dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry to determine intergroup and intragroup dependencies of the measurements and variations with differences in sex and anthropometric characteristics.

    RESULTS: Broadband ultrasound attenuation and speed of sound measurements were found to be independent of sex but dependent on age in the thalassemic children. Consistently, broadband ultrasound attenuation had lower values and the speed of sound had higher values compared with those of the healthy children in each age group. Broadband ultrasound attenuation correlated well with the speed of sound and also with age, weight, and height, but the speed of sound did not show an association with these parameters. Broadband ultrasound attenuation correlated moderately with BMD in the lumbar spine and whole body, but the corresponding association was much weaker for the speed of sound. In the thalassemic children, both broadband ultrasound attenuation and BMD increased with age as they grew older but not fast enough compared with the healthy children, and the risk of osteoporosis was greater at older ages.

    CONCLUSIONS: Calcaneal quantitative ultrasound may be used as a diagnostic screening tool for assessing the bone status in thalassemic Southeast Asian children and for deciding whether further dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry is needed, particularly in those who are at a greater risk for osteoporosis as identified by low body weight and height.

    Matched MeSH terms: Cross-Sectional Studies
  2. Fulltext Weight changes and lifestyle behaviors in women after breast cancer diagnosis: a cross-sectional study
    Yaw YH, Shariff ZM, Kandiah M, Mun CY, Yusof RM, Othman Z, et al.
    BMC Public Health, 2011;11:309.
    PMID: 21569467 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-11-309
    Weight gain rather than weight loss often occurs after breast cancer diagnosis despite breast cancer survivors frequently reported making healthful lifestyle changes. This study describes the prevalence and magnitude of changes in weight before and after breast cancer diagnosis and examines lifestyle behaviors of breast cancer survivors with stable weight, weight gain or weight loss.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cross-Sectional Studies
  3. Self-efficacy and self-care behavior of Malaysian patients with type 2 diabetes: a cross sectional survey
    Sharoni SK, Wu SF
    Nurs Health Sci, 2012 Mar;14(1):38-45.
    PMID: 22288688 DOI: 10.1111/j.1442-2018.2011.00658.x
    This study investigated the association between self-efficacy and self-care behavior to determine the degree of self-efficacy and to examine differences in self-efficacy according to patient variables, including state of health, of Malaysian patients with type 2 diabetes. The sample comprised 388 patients (respondents). We collected the data from December 2010 to February 2011. We found a significant positive relationship between self-efficacy and self-care behavior (r(s) = 0.481, P < 0.001). The degree of self-efficacy was moderately high (mean = 7.570). We found significant differences between self-efficacy and education level (Wilk's Lambda = 0.918, F[12, 1008] = 2.779, P < 0.05), duration of diabetes (Wilk's Lambda = 0.954, F[8, 736] = 2.264, P < 0.05), other chronic conditions (Wilk's Lambda = 0.967, F[4, 383] = 3.304, P < 0.05) and diabetic complications (Wilk's Lambda = 0.963, F[4, 383] = 3.653, P < 0.05). Self-efficacy can be used as a model to understand self-care behavior. Individualized nursing interventions based on self-efficacy theory should be utilized in high risk diabetic patients so as to assist and improve self-care behavior.
    Study site: Diabetic clinic and the medical, nephrology, orthopedic, and surgery wards, University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
    Matched MeSH terms: Cross-Sectional Studies
  4. Fulltext Factors related to poor practice of Pap smear screening among secondary school teachers in Malaysia
    Abdullah F, Aziz NA, Su TT
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2011;12(5):1347-52.
    PMID: 21875295
    INTRODUCTION: The Pap smear test has been regarded as a promising cervical screening tool since 1940s. Yet its importance has been overlooked by beneficiaries in Malaysia. This underlines the need to identify the prevalence of Pap smear practice and influencing factors towards the practice among educated working women.

    METHODS: A survey was conducted with 403 female teachers from 40 public secondary schools in Malaysia selected by cluster random sampling. Data were collected from January to March 2010 using a self-administered questionnaire. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify the factors related to the Pap smear practice.

    RESULTS: The rate for participants who ever had Pap test was only 38% and poor practice of was significantly higher among: those with aged less than 35 years; those practicing hormonal contraceptive method; and individuals perceiving barriers to the Pap smear screening test. In contrast, the findings were significantly lower in women with longer duration of teaching service; higher income groups; ever pregnant; having chronic diseases; health insurance coverage; and who had perceived benefit of Pap smear screening.

    CONCLUSION: Barriers towards practicing Pap smear exist even among educated career women. Tailor-made health promotion and education on cervical cancer and the benefit of Pap smear screening are essential to change the behavior of the study population.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cross-Sectional Studies
  5. Attitudes towards dysmenorrhoea, impact and treatment seeking among adolescent girls: a rural school-based survey
    Wong LP
    Aust J Rural Health, 2011 Aug;19(4):218-23.
    PMID: 21771164 DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1584.2011.01213.x
    Study aimed to determine the prevalence of dysmenorrhoea, its impact, and treatment-seeking behaviour of rural adolescent girls in Malaysia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cross-Sectional Studies
  6. Fulltext Self-perceived competence correlates poorly with objectively measured competence in evidence based medicine among medical students
    Lai NM, Teng CL
    BMC Med Educ, 2011;11:25.
    PMID: 21619672 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6920-11-25
    BACKGROUND: Previous studies report various degrees of agreement between self-perceived competence and objectively measured competence in medical students. There is still a paucity of evidence on how the two correlate in the field of Evidence Based Medicine (EBM). We undertook a cross-sectional study to evaluate the self-perceived competence in EBM of senior medical students in Malaysia, and assessed its correlation to their objectively measured competence in EBM.
    METHODS: We recruited a group of medical students in their final six months of training between March and August 2006. The students were receiving a clinically-integrated EBM training program within their curriculum. We evaluated the students' self-perceived competence in two EBM domains ("searching for evidence" and "appraising the evidence") by piloting a questionnaire containing 16 relevant items, and objectively assessed their competence in EBM using an adapted version of the Fresno test, a validated tool. We correlated the matching components between our questionnaire and the Fresno test using Pearson's product-moment correlation.
    RESULTS: Forty-five out of 72 students in the cohort (62.5%) participated by completing the questionnaire and the adapted Fresno test concurrently. In general, our students perceived themselves as moderately competent in most items of the questionnaire. They rated themselves on average 6.34 out of 10 (63.4%) in "searching" and 44.41 out of 57 (77.9%) in "appraising". They scored on average 26.15 out of 60 (43.6%) in the "searching" domain and 57.02 out of 116 (49.2%) in the "appraising" domain in the Fresno test. The correlations between the students' self-rating and their performance in the Fresno test were poor in both the "searching" domain (r = 0.13, p = 0.4) and the "appraising" domain (r = 0.24, p = 0.1).
    CONCLUSIONS: This study provides supporting evidence that at the undergraduate level, self-perceived competence in EBM, as measured using our questionnaire, does not correlate well with objectively assessed EBM competence measured using the adapted Fresno test.
    STUDY REGISTRATION: International Medical University, Malaysia, research ID: IMU 110/06.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cross-Sectional Studies
  7. Fulltext Is there an influence of dietary habits on breast density as seen on digital mammograms?
    Voon NS, Chelliah KK
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2011;12(8):1969-72.
    PMID: 22292635
    The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of dietary habit on breast density, which is an important risk factor for breast cancer. This cross-sectional study was performed on 64 Malaysian women of all races between the age of 35 to 70 years. All subjects underwent mammography and the breast density was analyzed from the images using BI-RADS by two independent radiologists. A validated food-frequency questionnaire was used to evaluate the nutrient intake. The data were analyzed using Chi-square test to evaluate the association of dietary habits to breast density. Based on the results, mutton, pork, vegetables, sweets, snacks, soy bean and eggs intake showed associations with increased breast density (p < 0.05) while grains, meat, beverages, oil and fruits, did not show any association (p > 0.05). As a conclusion, this study showed diet may make changes to the breast density as a risk factor for breast cancer.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cross-Sectional Studies
  8. Fulltext Perception of quality of life among people with diabetes
    Cheah WL, Lee PY, Lim PY, Fatin Nabila AA, Luk KJ, Nur Iwana AT
    Malays Fam Physician, 2012;7(2-3):21-30.
    PMID: 25606252 MyJurnal
    Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects a patient's quality of life. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the socio-demographic and disease profile factors associated with poor quality of life among patients with diabetes. The study was conducted at a primary health care clinic in Kuching between August to November 2010. Short Form - 36 (SF - 36) questionnaire was used to assess the quality of life of diabetic patients aged ≥ 18. A total of 142 respondents participated in the survey. After adjusting for age, those with no education scored lower at vitality (p=0.043) and emotional health (p=0.033) compared with those who have tertiary education. Those working in the private sector scored better for physical functioning (p=0.042) compared with pensioners and the unemployed. Patients with uncontrolled diabetes scored lower in the role-emotional domain (p=0.003). Participants who were on <3 (p=0.014) and ≥3 (p=0.024) oral medications had better score for role-physical than those on insulin. Those on insulin had worse score for bodily pain than those on oral medication only (vs <3 oral drugs, p=0.026; vs ≥3 oral drugs, p=0.001). Various socio-demographic factors, uncontrolled diabetes and insulin usage were found to have negative impact on a diabetic patient's quality of life. Programmes addressing the physical and emotional needs of diabetic patients at the primary health care setting are essential to help improve their quality of life.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cross-Sectional Studies
  9. Victimization experiences of adolescents in Malaysia
    Choo WY, Dunne MP, Marret MJ, Fleming M, Wong YL
    J Adolesc Health, 2011 Dec;49(6):627-34.
    PMID: 22098774 DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2011.04.020
    There has been little community-based research regarding multiple-type victimization experiences of young people in Asia, and none in Malaysia. This study aimed to estimate prevalence, explore gender differences, as well as describe typical perpetrators and family and social risk factors among Malaysian adolescents.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cross-Sectional Studies
  10. Chronic diseases, depressive symptoms and functional limitation amongst older people in rural Malaysia, a middle income developing country
    Hairi NN, Bulgiba A, Mudla I, Said MA
    Prev Med, 2011 Oct;53(4-5):343-6.
    PMID: 21864564 DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2011.07.020
    To determine prevalence and prevalence ratio of functional limitation amongst older people with combined chronic diseases and co-morbid depressive symptoms compared with older people with either chronic disease or depressive symptoms alone.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cross-Sectional Studies
  11. Fulltext The association between polyunsaturated fatty acids and depression among Iranian postgraduate students in Malaysia
    Yary T, Aazami S
    Lipids Health Dis, 2011;10:151.
    PMID: 21864357 DOI: 10.1186/1476-511X-10-151
    The incidence of depression is expected to increase over the next 20 years, and many people will have to deal with it. It has been reported that up to 40% of university students experience levels of depression. Several negative consequences are associated with depression symptoms, such as memory impairment, suicide, and substance abuse. Recently, researchers have been studying possible associations between depression and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), which may modify depression symptoms. The aim of the present study was to find an association between PUFA levels and depression among Iranian postgraduate students in Malaysia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cross-Sectional Studies
  12. Fulltext The burden of moderate-to-heavy soil-transmitted helminth infections among rural malaysian aborigines: an urgent need for an integrated control programme
    Ahmed A, Al-Mekhlafi HM, Choy SH, Ithoi I, Al-Adhroey AH, Abdulsalam AM, et al.
    Parasit Vectors, 2011;4:242.
    PMID: 22208559 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-4-242
    Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections, among the most common neglected tropical diseases, continue to be a major threat to the health and socioeconomic wellbeing of infected people especially children in developing countries.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cross-Sectional Studies
  13. Human forniceal region is the stem cell-rich zone of the conjunctival epithelium
    Harun MH, Sepian SN, Chua KH, Ropilah AR, Abd Ghafar N, Che-Hamzah J, et al.
    Hum. Cell, 2013 Mar;26(1):35-40.
    PMID: 21748521 DOI: 10.1007/s13577-011-0025-0
    The anterior surface of the eye is covered by several physically contiguous but histologically distinguishable epithelia overlying the cornea, limbus, bulbar conjunctiva, fornix conjunctiva, and palpebral conjunctiva. The self-renewing nature of the conjunctival epithelia makes their long-term survival ultimately dependent on small populations of stem cells. Hence, the objective of this study was to investigate the expression of the stem cell genes Sox2, OCT4, NANOG, Rex1, NES, and ABCG2 in cultured human conjunctival epithelium from different conjunctival zones, namely, the bulbar, palpebral and fornix zones. Three samples were taken from patients with primary pterygium and cataract (age range 56-66 years) who presented to our eye clinic at the UKM Medical Centre. The eye was examined with slit lamp to ensure there was no underlying ocular surface diseases and glaucoma. Conjunctival tissue was taken from patients who underwent a standard cataract or pterygium operation as a primary procedure. Tissues were digested, cultured, and propagated until an adequate number of cells was obtained. Total RNA was extracted and subjected to expression analysis of conjunctival epithelium genes (KRT4, KRT13, KRT19) and stem cell genes (Sox2, OCT4, NANOG, Rex1, NES, ABCG2) by reverse transcriptase-PCR and 2% agarose gel electrophoresis. The expression of Sox2, OCT4, and NANOG genes were detected in the fornical cells, while bulbar cells only expressed Sox2 and palpebral cells only expressed OCT4. Based on these results, the human forniceal region expresses a higher number of stem cell genes than the palpebral and bulbar conjunctiva.
    Study site: Eye clinic, Pusat Perubatan Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (PPUKM), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
    Matched MeSH terms: Cross-Sectional Studies
  14. Role of blood bag temperature indicators in maintaining patent temperature of the returned unused blood bags in blood bank
    Nurasyikin Y, Leong CF, Fadhlullah TM, Hafiz WM, Nadiah Z, Atieqah AN, et al.
    Clin Ter, 2011;162(1):19-22.
    PMID: 21448541
    The main objective of the present study was to evaluate the temperature chain of red blood cells (RBC) returned unused blood bags using blood temperature indicator and ascertain the factors like transportation time, type, size of coolant box and number of bags per box.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cross-Sectional Studies
  15. Fulltext Prevalence, distribution and correlates of tobacco smoking and chewing in Nepal: a secondary data analysis of Nepal Demographic and Health Survey-2006
    Sreeramareddy CT, Ramakrishnareddy N, Harsha Kumar H, Sathian B, Arokiasamy JT
    Subst Abuse Treat Prev Policy, 2011;6:33.
    PMID: 22185233 DOI: 10.1186/1747-597X-6-33
    BACKGROUND: Nearly four-fifths of estimated 1.1 million smokers live in low or middle-income countries. We aimed to provide national estimates for Nepal on tobacco use prevalence, its distribution across demographic, socio-economic and spatial variables and correlates of tobacco use.
    METHODS: A secondary data analysis of 2006 Nepal Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) was done. A representative sample of 9,036 households was selected by two-stage stratified, probability proportional to size (PPS) technique. We constructed three outcome variables 'tobacco smoke', 'tobacco chewer' and 'any tobacco use' based on four questions about tobacco use that were asked in DHS questionnaires. Socio-economic, demographic and spatial predictor variables were used. We computed overall prevalence for 'tobacco smoking', 'tobacco chewing' and 'any tobacco use' i.e. point estimates of prevalence rates, 95% confidence intervals (CIs) after adjustment for strata and clustering at primary sampling unit (PSU) level. For correlates of tobacco use, we used multivariate analysis to calculate adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and their 95% CIs. A p-value < 0.05 was considered as significant.
    RESULTS: Total number of households, eligible women and men interviewed was 8707, 10793 and 4397 respectively. The overall prevalence for 'any tobacco use', 'tobacco smoking' and 'tobacco chewing' were 30.3% (95% CI 28.9, 31.7), 20.7% (95% CI 19.5, 22.0) and 14.6% (95% CI 13.5, 15.7) respectively. Prevalence among men was significantly higher than women for 'any tobacco use' (56.5% versus 19.6%), 'tobacco smoking' (32.8% versus 15.8%) and 'tobacco chewing' (38.0% versus 5.0%). By multivariate analysis, older adults, men, lesser educated and those with lower wealth quintiles were more likely to be using all forms of tobacco. Divorced, separated, and widowed were more likely to smoke (OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.14, 1.94) and chew tobacco (OR 1.36, 95% CI 0.97, 1.93) as compared to those who were currently married. Prevalence of 'tobacco chewing' was higher in eastern region (19.7%) and terai/plains (16.2%). 'Tobacco smoking' and 'any tobacco use' were higher in rural areas, mid-western and far western and mountainous areas.
    CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of tobacco use is considerably high among Nepalese people. Demographic and socioeconomic determinants and spatial distribution should be considered while planning tobacco control interventions.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cross-Sectional Studies
  16. University of Malaya dental students' attitudes towards communication skills learning: implications for dental education
    Nor NA, Yusof ZY, Shahidan MN
    J Dent Educ, 2011 Dec;75(12):1611-9.
    PMID: 22184601
    The Ministry of Higher Education in Malaysia has called for the implementation of a soft skills module in all public universities in Malaysia. In response to this and as part of curriculum development efforts for a new integrated program for 2011, a study was undertaken to improve the University of Malaya (UM) Faculty of Dentistry's communication skills course. One of the study objectives was to investigate dental students' attitudes towards communication skills learning and the association between their attitudes and demographic and education-related characteristics. A cross-sectional survey--using a self-administered twenty-four-item adapted Communication Skills Attitude Scale (CSAS) that contained both positive (PAS) and negative (NAS) attitude subscales--was carried out targeting all final-year dental students at the UM and the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). A total of 148 students completed the survey, yielding a response rate of 88.1 percent. Overall, UKM students had significantly more positive attitudes towards communication skills learning (PAS score: mean=48.69, SD=4.48, p<0.001) than UM students (mean=46.03, SD=4.22). There was no statistically significant difference in negative attitudes between the two groups. UKM students with more positive attitudes tended to be female (p<0.05). UM students with more negative attitudes perceived themselves as poor communicators (p<0.05), and UKM students with more negative attitudes tended to have poor English proficiency (p<0.05). This study found that both UM and UKM final-year dental students have positive and negative attitudes towards learning communication skills. These attitudes were significantly associated with certain background and education-related attributes. Outcomes of this study served as a valuable guide in strengthening the communication skills course for the UM's new, integrated dental curriculum.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cross-Sectional Studies
  17. Does ethnicity contribute to the control of cardiovascular risk factors among patients with type 2 diabetes?
    Lee PY, Cheong AT, Zaiton A, Mastura I, Chew BH, Sazlina SG, et al.
    Asia Pac J Public Health, 2013 Jul;25(4):316-25.
    PMID: 22186400 DOI: 10.1177/1010539511430521
    This study aimed to examine the control of cardiovascular risk factors among the ethnic groups with type 2 diabetes in Malaysia. The authors analyzed the data of 70 092 adults from the Malaysian diabetes registry database. Malays had the worst achievement of target for most of the risk factors. Indians had poor achievement of control for waist circumference (odds ratio [OR] = 0.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.6-0.7) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (OR = 0.5, 95% CI = 0.4-0.5). As compared with the Malays, the Chinese had a better achievement of target control for the risk factors, including the following: body mass index (OR = 1.3, 95% CI = 1.2-1.4), blood pressure (OR = 1.3, 95% CI = 1.3-1.4), total cholesterol (OR = 1.7, 95% CI = 1.6-1.8), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (OR = 1.7, 95% CI = 1.6-1.8), glycated hemoglobin A1c (OR = 1.4, 95% CI = 1.3-1.4) and fasting blood glucose (OR = 1.4, 95% CI = 1.3-1.5). Ethnicity, sociocultural factors, and psychobehavioral factors should be addressed in designing and management strategies for the control of cardiovascular risk factors among type 2 diabetes patients.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cross-Sectional Studies
  18. Fulltext Quality of life among patients with hematological cancer in a Malaysian hospital
    Priscilla D, Hamidin A, Azhar MZ, Noorjan KO, Salmiah MS, Bahariah K
    Med J Malaysia, 2011 Jun;66(2):117-20.
    PMID: 22106690 MyJurnal
    The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of symptoms and problems in hospitalized hematological cancer patients. A cross-sectional design was carried out with 105 respondents in Ampang hospital in Kuala Lumpur. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality Of Life questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) was used. Patients with a minimum response of "a little" were defined as having a symptom/problem while patients with a response of "quite a bit" were classified as having a "severe symptom/problem". The four most prevalent symptoms/problems identified were fatigue, financial difficulties, reduced role function and reduced social function. Multiple myeloma patients (MM) were identified as having the most symptoms/problems.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cross-Sectional Studies
  19. Fulltext Caregivers' satisfaction of healthcare delivery at paediatric clinics of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre in 2009
    Aniza I, Rizal AM, Ng YS, Mardhiyyah M, Helmi I, Syamimi BK, et al.
    Med J Malaysia, 2011 Jun;66(2):84-8.
    PMID: 22106682
    Patient's satisfaction has become increasingly important as patients evaluate healthcare services for both medical cost and quality. The purpose of this study was to measure the prevalence and the factors influencing caregivers' satisfaction. A cross sectional study of 262 respondents using universal sampling method was conducted at the paediatric clinics of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC). Overall, 90.5% were satisfied with the services provided. Satisfaction rates based on various healthcare delivery domains were: 95.0% for communication skills, 88.5% for interpersonal aspect, 83.6% for technical quality, 82.1% for financial aspect, 72.9% for time spent with doctors and 64.9% for ease of contact. This study shows that the caregivers (an unpaid person who helps a person cope with disease) were highly satisfied with the communicational aspect delivered by the clinic. However, there is still room for improvement on ease of contact domain and waiting time in order to produce high quality service.

    Study site: Paediatric clinic, Pusat Perubatan Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (PPUKM)
    Matched MeSH terms: Cross-Sectional Studies
  20. Fulltext Epidemiological and clinical features of dengue versus other acute febrile illnesses amongst patients seen at government polyclinics
    Mustafa B, Hani AW, Chem YK, Mariam M, Khairul AH, Abdul Rasid K, et al.
    Med J Malaysia, 2010 Dec;65(4):291-6.
    PMID: 21901948
    Classical dengue fever is characterized by the clinical features of fever, headache, severe myalgia and occasionally rash, which can also be caused by a number of other viral and bacterial infections. Five hundred and fifty eight patients who fulfilled the criteria of clinical diagnosis of acute dengue from 4 government outpatient polyclinics were recruited in this prospective field study. Of the 558 patients, 190 patients were categorized as acute dengue fever, 86 as recent dengue and 282 as non-dengue febrile illnesses based on the results of a number of laboratory tests. Epidemiological features of febrile patients showed that the mean age of patients in the dengue fever group was significantly younger in comparison with patients in the non-dengue group. There was no significant difference between the two groups with respect to gender but there was significant ethnic difference with foreign workers representing a higher proportion in the dengue fever group. Patients with acute dengue fever were more likely to have patient-reported rash and a history of dengue in family or neighbourhood but less likely to have respiratory symptoms, sore-throat and jaundice in comparison to patients with non-dengue febrile illnesses. As with patients with dengue fever, patients in the recent dengue group were more likely to have history of patient-reported rash and a history of dengue contact and less likely to have respiratory symptoms in comparison to patients with non-dengue febrile illnesses. In contrast to patients with dengue fever, patients in the recent dengue group were more likely to have abdominal pain and jaundice in comparison to non-dengue febrile patients. The finding strongly suggests that a proportion of patients in the recent dengue group may actually represent a subset of patients with acute dengue fever at the late stage of illness.
    Study site: Klinik Kesihatan Seksyen 7, Shah Alam; Klinik Kesihatan Kelana Jaya, Petaling Jaya; Klinik Kesihatan Sg. Buloh; Klinik Kesihatan Jinjang, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
    Matched MeSH terms: Cross-Sectional Studies
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