METHODS AND MATERIALS: This retrospective cohort study identified all phase three RCTs evaluating anticancer therapies published from 2014 to 2017. RCTs were classified according to anticancer modality and country of origin. Descriptive statistics were used to compare key characteristics of radiotherapy RCT studies according to study design characteristics, tumor types evaluated, types of intervention appraised, treatment intent and main funding sources.
RESULTS: The study cohort included 694 RCTs of which 64 were radiotherapy RCTs (9%) compared to 601 (87%) systemic therapy RCTs. 47% of all radiotherapy RCTs focused on two areas of evaluation; combining radiotherapy with systemic agents (25%) and changes in dose fractionation (22%). The most common cancers studied were head and neck (22%), lung (22%) and breast (14%) with cervical cancer trials only representing 3% of the cohort. 33% of radiotherapy RCTs met their primary end point. 62% of radiotherapy RCTs assessed interventions in the curative setting compared to 31% in systemic therapy RCTs. 77% of the radiotherapy RCTs were performed in high-income countries (HIC), 13% in low-and-middle-income countries (LMIC) and 11% in both HIC and LMICs. 17% of radiotherapy RCTs received funding from industry compared to 79% of systemic therapy RCTs.
CONCLUSION: This study has highlighted the need for greater investment in radiotherapy RCTs and the disparities in conduct of RCTs globally. The study emphases the urgent need for more capacity building for cancer clinical trials in LMICs and more sustainable funding sources.
METHODS: This study was a narrative review using literature in the last 10 years identified by web-based search on PubMed and Scopus using keywords. A total of 33 articles that were closely related to the field and application in dentistry were included. The methodology, main results, and future research recommendations, if applicable, were extracted and reviewed.
RESULTS: The authors in this study had identified several areas such as orofacial pain and pain control research, dental anxiety, dental education, oral healthcare perceptions and access, living with dental diseases and dental treatment experience in which the phenomenological method was used to gain an in-depth understanding of the topic.
CONCLUSIONS: There are several advantages of using the phenomenological research method, such as the small sample size needed, the diverse and unique perspective that can be obtained and the ability to improve current understanding, especially from the first-person perspective.
OBJECTIVE: To determine a standardised algorithm to reassess and personalise the treatment COPD patients based on the available evidence.
METHODS: A consensus statement was agreed upon by a panel of pulmonologists in from 11 institutes in Malaysia whose members formed this consensus group.
RESULTS: According to the consensus, which was unanimously adopted, all COPD patients who are currently receiving an ICS-based treatment should be reassessed based on the presence of co-existence of asthma or high eosinophil counts and frequency of moderate or severe exacerbations in the previous 12 months. When that the patients meet any of the aforementioned criteria, then the patient can continue taking ICS-based therapy. However, if the patients do not meet the criteria, then the treatment of patients need to be personalised based on whether the patient is currently receiving long-acting beta-agonists (LABA)/ICS or triple therapy.
CONCLUSION: A flowchart of the consensus providing a guidance to Malaysian clinicians was elucidated based on evidences and international guidelines that identifies the right patients who should receive inhaled corticosteroids and enable to switch non ICS based therapies in patients less likely to benefit from such treatments.
METHODS: Cross-sectional study of 231 market workers and food handlers in wet markets and food premises from two localities in central Malaysia. Respondents' background information was obtained using a questionnaire. Serum samples were tested for leptospiral antibodies using ELISA and microscopic agglutination test (MAT).
RESULTS: Seroprevalence of leptospirosis among healthy workers was 46.3%. Detection of seropositivity was higher by MAT (46%) than ELISA (15%). We observed high seropositivity among local workers (49%), food handlers (49.5%), females (60.8%) and those aged 34 years and older (46.3%). Local strain LEP175 was the predominant serovar, followed by WHO strain Patoc.
CONCLUSION: Overall seroprevalence among healthy food handlers and market workers was high in this study. The workplace places susceptible individuals at risk of leptospirosis.