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Mapping the role of pH-adjusted potassium in diabetic ketoacidosis: Hypokalemia and the patient outcomes

Usman A, Mustafa N, Iqbal SP, Hasan MZ, Shaikh MF, Dujaili JA, et al.

Int J Clin Pract, 2021 Aug;75(8):e14315.
PMID: 33934480 DOI: 10.1111/ijcp.14315

BACKGROUND: Incidence of hypokalemia during the management of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is high despite detailed potassium replacement guidelines in its treatment.
AIM: We aimed to find the role of pH-adjusted potassium (pHK ) in the development of hypokalemia, and their mutual impact on patient outcomes during DKA management.
METHODOLOGY: Adult DKA patient's admission data of preceding 3 years (2015-2017) were retrospectively clerked. Outcomes of interest were time to develop hypokalemia and to terminate emergency department (ED) care (hours), severity of hypokalemia and hospitalisation length (days). Linear regression was used to determine significant associations/predictors.
RESULTS: The study was concluded on 85 patients. Hypokalemia was observed in nearly 3/4th of all admissions and occurred by the time of ED care termination. Each 1 mmol/L increase in pHK significantly (a) reduced the degree of hypokalemia by 0.07 mmol/L, (b) delayed time to develop hypokalemia by 4.58 hours, (c) and reduced the ED care time by 1.28 hours. Arterial pH was the other factor significantly delaying time to develop hypokalemia (36.25 hours) and facilitating early discharge from ED (13.86 hours). Moreover, each 1 mmol/L reduction in the degree of hypokalemia increased hospitalisation length by 1.86 days. Though significant, acute kidney injury negligibly increased hospitalisation length by 0.01 days.
CONCLUSION: pH-adjusted potassium shall be used as a marker for hypokalemia and to initiate potassium replacement instead of measured serum potassium in DKA. Utilising pHK will help to avoid hypokalemia, reduce its severity and shorten ED care which will subsequently reduce hospitalisation length. We expect pHK to improve pharmacoeconomics in the future.
Antibiotic prophylaxis tailored to local organisms reduces percutaneous gastrostomy site infection

Mahadeva S, Sam IC, Khoo BL, Khoo PS, Goh KL

Int J Clin Pract, 2009 May;63(5):760-5.
PMID: 19222613 DOI: 10.1111/j.1742-1241.2008.01881.x

Current recommendations for the choice of antibiotic prophylaxis prior to percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) insertion may not be suitable in all situations.
Prevalence of peripheral artery disease in urban high-risk Malaysian patients

Amudha K, Chee KH, Tan KS, Tan CT, Lang CC

Int J Clin Pract, 2003 Jun;57(5):369-72.
PMID: 12846339

Atherosclerosis is a progressive, disseminated condition that affects all the vascular beds. Peripheral arterial disease (PAD), a manifestation of atherosclerosis, measured non-invasively in the legs by ankle-brachial index (ABI) is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Though several studies in the western industrialised countries have shown that PAD is widely prevalent in the general older population at risk, not much data are available in the South East Asian developing countries. We have conducted an epidemiological survey on the prevalence of PAD in high-risk patients at an urban hospital in Malaysia. A total of 301 consecutive patients aged 32-90 years were recruited during their follow-up clinic visits for established cardiovascular disease, ischaemic stroke or diabetes mellitus > or = 5 years. All participants underwent ABI measurement and were subjected to the Edinburgh claudication questionnaire to assess leg symptoms. The prevalence of PAD in our high-risk population was 23%, of which only 27% were symptomatic with the classical intermittent claudication. All the patients with PAD were diagnosed at the time of the study. PAD was found in 33% of patients with pre-existent cardiovascular disease, 28% in patients with ischaemic stroke and 24% in diabetic patients. PAD was also highly prevalent among the younger patients. Our study has shown that PAD is highly prevalent among high-risk Malaysian patients and is not necessarily a disease of older age. Only 27% of these patients were symptomatic. All the subjects with PAD were diagnosed at the time of the study, which would suggest it is an unrecognised and underdiagnosed condition, even in patients with atherosclerotic risk factors.
A study of chest infections in HIV seropositive patients in Kuala Lumpur

Wood E, Cheong I, Lee C

Int J Clin Pract, 1998 Jan-Feb;52(1):23-6.
PMID: 9536563

A retrospective study of 144 adults with HIV infection was conducted to investigate the prevalence of upper and lower respiratory tract infections (URTIs and LRTIs). The patients were divided into two groups: those with acquired HIV through intravenous drug abuse (IVDA), and those who had acquired HIV through 'other' risk behaviours. LRTIs were more prevalent than URTIs overall, and LRTIs were significantly more common (p < 0.001) in IVDAs than in the other-risk group. Tuberculosis (40%) and bacterial pneumonias (33%) comprised the majority of LRTIs among IVDAs, while Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (40%) was the commonest LRTI in the other-risk group. Analysis of CD4 T-lymphocyte counts indicated that HIV-seropositive IVDAs are at greater risk of developing chest infections at higher CD4 counts than other-risk patients. The IVDAs were also found to have a much higher rate of co-infection with hepatitis C and B, which may be a factor accelerating the progression from HIV infection to AIDS. The mean time averaged for the two groups from known seroconversion to development of respiratory tract infection is only 1.37 years, which suggests HIV-infected patients are presenting late for treatment in Malaysia.
Fulltext The coping strategies of community pharmacists and pharmaceutical services provided during COVID-19 in Malaysia

Kua KP, Lee SWH

Int J Clin Pract, 2021 Dec;75(12):e14992.
PMID: 34710264 DOI: 10.1111/ijcp.14992

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in profound health challenges across the globe. Pharmacists' readiness to cope with the pandemic is critical in supporting and sustaining the healthcare workforce to meet the challenges.
OBJECTIVE: This study aims to examine community pharmacists' views on their work environment, policies and preparedness for safe retail patronage to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 and assess the variables influencing coping strategies during the pandemic.
SETTING: An online survey of pharmacists practising in community pharmacy setting in Malaysia.
METHOD: A questionnaire-based, cross-sectional study was conducted in Malaysia to evaluate coping strategies of community pharmacists and pharmaceutical services provided during COVID-19 pandemic. Between May 1 and July 31, 2020, the questionnaire was distributed to pharmacists working in community setting nationwide utilising a snowball sampling method.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Community pharmacists' perceptions on safety, resilience, organisational support, and pharmaceutical services offered during COVID-19 pandemic.
RESULTS: A total of 217 pharmacists participated in the study. The vast majority of community pharmacists reported a positive outlook and were able to balance working with self-care during this period. Most reported to have access to personal protective equipment such as gloves and hand sanitisers. A large proportion of community pharmacies also installed physical barriers in doorways or in front of the counter, put markings on the ground to section areas to ensure physical distancing, and controlled the number of customers who could access the pharmacy during this period. Innovations reported to be implemented included teleconsultations and providing curb-side or drive-through delivery and pickup services.
CONCLUSION: The findings suggest the frontline and essential roles of community pharmacists in delivering pandemic responses, creating the opportunity to determine areas where community pharmacy services can be incorporated to strengthen the public health system and improve patient health outcomes.
Surveillance study of bacteraemic episodes in febrile neutropenic children

Ariffin H, Navaratnam P, Lin HP

Int J Clin Pract, 2002 May;56(4):237-40.
PMID: 12074201

We prospectively studied the type, frequency and outcome of infections in 513 patients with 762 consecutive episodes of febrile neutropenia (FN) over a five-year period between 1995 and 1999 in a single paediatric oncology unit. The findings were then compared with a similar study carried out in our unit between 1990 and 1994. The types of bacterial isolates and sensitivity patterns were also studied to identify trends and to gauge the suitability of antibiotics chosen for empirical therapy. Bacteraemia was documented in 35.4% of FN episodes, although 70% of patients did not have an obvious site of sepsis. The majority of isolates (61.9%) were gram-negative bacteria, a consistent finding throughout the study period. Resistance to ceftazidime, amikacin and imipenem among gram-negative bacteria was 26.3%, 21.2% and 0.7%, respectively. Methicillin resistance among gram-positive bacteria was 26.3%, while no vancomycin-resistant bacteria were encountered. There were 36 sepsis-related deaths. Factors associated with a fatal outome were prolonged capillary refill time, hypotension, fever above 39 degrees C and pneumonia. Rapid neutrophil recovery was associated with a good prognosis. A change to our current choice of empirical antibiotics for FN, comprising ceftazidime/ceftriaxone and amikacin appears necessary because of the relatively high resistance rates found.
A comparison of cardiovascular risk factors among Indo-Asian and caucasian patients admitted with acute myocardial infarction in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Birmingham, England

Dhanjal TS, Lal M, Haynes R, Lip G

Int J Clin Pract, 2001 Dec;55(10):665-8.
PMID: 11777289

Indo-Asians in the UK are at an increased risk of coronary artery disease (CAD); this may be a reflection of their cardiovascular risk factor profile as well as of a more sedentary lifestyle. We hypothesised that Indo-Asians in Malaysia and the UK may exhibit a similar cardiovascular risk factor and physical activity profile, which would be more adverse compared with caucasians. We studied 70 consecutive Indo-Asian patients admitted to hospitals in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (n=42; 35 males; mean age 60.6 years, SD 11.8); and Birmingham, England (n=28; 20 males; mean age 60.8 years, SD 12.9). Both groups of Indo-Asian patients were compared with 20 caucasian patients (13 males; mean age 62.7 years, SD 9.4) admitted with myocardial infarction from Birmingham. There was a higher prevalence of diabetes among Indo-Asians in both countries than among caucasians (p=0.0225). By contrast, caucasians had a higher prevalence of hypercholesterolaemia (p=0.0113), peripheral vascular disease (p=0.0008), regular alcohol consumption (p<0.0001) and family history of CAD (p=0.0041). There were no significant differences in mean age, body mass index or blood pressures. There was a significantly lower leisure activity score (p=0.001) and total physical activity score (p=0.003) among Indo-Asians in both countries than among caucasians. This survey has demonstrated differences in cardiovascular risk factors among Indo-Asian and caucasian patients. The high prevalence of diabetes, as well as the lower physical activity and sedentary lifestyles among Indo-Asians, in both Malaysia and the UK, may in part contribute to the high incidence of CAD in this ethnic group.
Community pharmacists' knowledge, attitudes and practices towards oral healthcare and its management: A systematic review

Rajiah K, Lim WK, Madeline Teoh PL, Binti Mas'od MA, Lim WY, Poh Chou LL, et al.

Int J Clin Pract, 2021 Sep;75(9):e14096.
PMID: 33619786 DOI: 10.1111/ijcp.14096

BACKGROUND: Community pharmacists play a significant part in providing oral healthcare advice as there are significant connections between oral healthcare and body system healthcare.
OBJECTIVE: To systematically review the literature regarding the knowledge, attitudes and practice of community pharmacists in managing oral healthcare problems.
METHODS: A systematic review was conducted through Scopus, PubMed and Google Scholar databases. Studies regarding knowledge, attitudes and practice of management of dental care by community pharmacists between 1990 and 2019 were included.
RESULTS: Forest plot was performed to access knowledge, attitudes and practice of community pharmacist on oral healthcare. The results showed there were 44% of community pharmacists have a lack of knowledge on oral healthcare to provide an appropriate recommendation to patients with dental problems. Eighty-eight per cent of community pharmacists were willing to improve their knowledge of oral healthcare. There were 86% of them recognised that their role was significant in oral health. However, there were 59% of community pharmacists who had poor attitude in providing oral health information.
CONCLUSIONS: Community pharmacists were lacking knowledge on oral health mainly because of paucity in providing appropriate training courses. This has led to poor practices towards oral healthcare as they were unable to provide suitable products recommendations to the patients. This has led the community pharmacists into lack of attitudes in providing oral health information. However, most of the community pharmacists were conscious of their role in the oral healthcare system and were willing to improve their knowledge of oral healthcare.
Fulltext Evaluating the Optimal Operating Table Height for ProSeal-LMA™ Insertion

Low SL, Masdar A, Md Nor N, Mohd Azidin A, Low HJ, Mohamad Mahdi SN

Int J Clin Pract, 2022;2022:5118362.
PMID: 36474553 DOI: 10.1155/2022/5118362

INTRODUCTION: ProSeal-Laryngeal Mask Airway™ (P-LMA™) is one of the commonly used laryngeal mask airways. Despite the proper insertion technique, suboptimal positioning and airway morbidity still occurs. This study explored the possibility of the operating table height position affecting successful P-LMA™ placement.
METHODS: A total of 138 patients aged between 18 and 65 years old with the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) I or II status, who required general anaesthesia and had no contraindication towards the use of P-LMA™, were recruited. They were randomly positioned into three anatomical landmarks, which were umbilicus, lowest rib margin, and xiphoid. P-LMA™ was inserted following muscle paralysis, and the first successful placement was evaluated using positional and performance tests. Duration, ease of P-LMA™ insertion, and airway complications were compared.
RESULTS: Demographic and airway features were comparable among all groups. The P-LMA™ placement success rate improved when the table height was positioned at the lowest rib margin (p=0.002). All three positions were comparable in terms of duration, ease of insertion, and airway morbidities.
CONCLUSION: The lowest rib margin anatomical landmark can be used as a guide in achieving the optimal operating table height for successful P-LMA™ placement.
A cross-sectional study on prescribing and dispensing errors at a corporate hospital in South India

Kandasamy G, Sivanandy P, Almaghaslah D, Almanasef M, Vasudevan R, Chinnadhurai M, et al.

Int J Clin Pract, 2021 Sep;75(9):e14489.
PMID: 34115424 DOI: 10.1111/ijcp.14489

BACKGROUND: The substantial and increasing use of medications escalating the risk of harm globally. The serious medication errors in hospital and community settings resulting from patient injury and death. Hence, a cross-sectional study was aimed to analyse the prescribing and dispensing errors in the outpatient departments of a south Indian hospital.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective cross-sectional study was carried out to evaluate the prescribing, and dispensing errors in outpatients who seek patient counseling at the tertiary care multispecialty hospital. The data were collected from various sources such as patient's prescriptions and dispensing records from the pharmacy.
RESULTS: A total of 500 prescriptions were screened and identified 65.60% of prescriptions with at least any one type of medication errors. Out of 328 prescriptions, 96.04% were handwritten and 3.96% were computerised prescriptions. Among the 328 prescriptions with medication errors, 32.62% noticed prescribing errors, 37.80% with dispensing errors, and 29.58% with both prescribing and dispensing errors. Out of these 328 prescriptions, 74.09% prescriptions were found to have polypharmacy.
DISCUSSION: Medication errors are serious problems in healthcare and can be a source of significant morbidity and mortality in healthcare settings. The present study showed that dispensing errors were the most common among the types of medication errors, in these particularly wrong directions were the most common types of errors.
CONCLUSION: This study concludes that the overall prevalence of medication errors was around 80%, but there were no life-threatening events observed. A clinical pharmacist can play a major role in this situation appears to be a strong intervention and early detection and prevention of medication errors and thus can improve the quality of care to the patients.
A randomised comparison of simvastatin versus simvastatin and low cholesterol diet in the treatment of hypercholesterolaemia

Thuraisingham S, Tan KH, Chong KS, Yap SF, Pasamanikam K

Int J Clin Pract, 2000 Mar;54(2):78-84.
PMID: 10824361

There is little evidence to show that strict dietary modification alone confers any significant impact on cardiac events in primary and secondary prevention of coronary heart disease. Given the efficacy of the statins, the need for strict dietary modification in patients on statin therapy has been questioned. This study was performed to assess 1) the added benefit on serum lipid levels of a strict low-fat dietary regimen in patients with hypercholesterolaemia already treated with simvastatin; 2) the efficacy of simvastatin on the lipid profile of our sample Asian population; and 3) the tolerability and side-effect profile of simvastatin. This study was a prospective evaluation of 60 patients with hypercholesterolaemia treated with simvastatin who were subjected to either a normal diet or a dietitian guided low-fat diet. Assessment of the effects on serum lipid levels, side-effects, biochemical and haematological markers were performed. After 24 weeks of treatment, a strict dietitian guided low-fat diet conferred no additional benefit over and above what was achieved by simvastatin alone. Furthermore, a higher dose of simvastatin was needed in the dietitian guided diet group to achieve the target LDL-cholesterol level. Simvastatin resulted in a significant positive alteration of lipid profiles in all patients. The drug was well tolerated, with no significant change in either haematological or biochemical indices. Simvastatin is a highly effective cholesterol-lowering drug with a beneficial effect on the entire lipid spectrum in a cross-section of Asian patients, and is well tolerated. A dietitian guided dietary approach confers no additional advantage once statin therapy has been initiated.
Comparative efficacy of perindopril and enalapril once daily using 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring

Yusoff K, Razak TA, Yusof N, Rafee NM

Int J Clin Pract, 1999 Jun;53(4):277-80.
PMID: 10563072

ACE inhibitors are important therapeutic agents in controlling hypertension, correcting some of its pathophysiological derangement and improving its prognosis. While there are many such agents, there may be some important differences between them. This placebo run-in, double blind, crossover study, using 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, compares the efficacy of perindopril 4-8 mg and enalapril 10-20 mg as once daily antihypertensive agents on 32 patients. For diastolic blood pressure (DBP), perindopril had a placebo-corrected peak (P) reduction of blood pressure (BP) of -6.4 +/- 1.3 mmHg vs its placebo-corrected trough (T) of -5.2 +/- 1.7 mmHg. Enalapril had a reduction in DBP of -8.5 +/- 1.3 mmHg (P) and -5.7 +/- 1.7 mmHg (T). For systolic blood pressure (SBP), perindopril had a reduction of -7.5 +/- 1.6 mmHg (P) vs -7.3 +/- 2.2 mmHg (T) compared to enalapril with -10.8 +/- 1.6 mmHg (P) vs -8.3 +/- 2.3 mmHg (T). Placebo-corrected trough-to-peak ratio (SBP/DBP) for perindopril was 0.97/0.81 vs 0.77/0.67 for enalapril. There was no difference noted in 24-hour mean BP, area under the curve or post-dose casual BP measurements. Both perindopril and enalapril were well tolerated and the two treatment groups had similar safety profiles. Perindopril thus had a predictable and sustained blood pressure effect giving a 24-hour cover for the patient without excessive peak effect or poor trough effect.
The utility of a 'non-significant' coronary angiogram

Wang TK, Oh TH, Samaranayake CB, Webster MW, Stewart JT, Watson T, et al.

Int J Clin Pract, 2015 Dec;69(12):1465-72.
PMID: 26304046 DOI: 10.1111/ijcp.12723

Coronary angiography is the gold standard for assessing coronary artery disease (CAD). In many patients with chest pain, no or mild CAD (< 50% stenosis) is found. It is uncertain whether this 'non-significant' result influences management and outcomes. We reviewed characteristics and outcomes in a contemporary cohort of chest pain referrals who had mild or absent CAD on coronary angiography.
Epidemiology, clinical characteristics and treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children: A narrative review

Ayittey FK, Chiwero NB, Dhar BK, Tettey EL, Saptoro A

Int J Clin Pract, 2021 Dec;75(12):e15012.
PMID: 34806816 DOI: 10.1111/ijcp.15012

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has infected millions of people around the world, with most cases recorded among adults. The cases reported among children have been acknowledged to be minimal in comparison to adults. Nevertheless, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been reported to affect children of all ages, including newborns. The symptoms among children have also been identified to be similar to those observed among adults, although paediatric patients have been noted to display a spectrum of clinical features ranging from asymptomatic to moderate symptoms. Despite ample publications on the ongoing pandemic, the literature is only replete with guidelines on treating SARS-CoV-2 infection among older people. In this narrative review, comprehensive updates on the infection in children have been discussed. The latest information on the spread of the disease among children around the world, the clinical features observed among the paediatric population, as well as recommended pharmaceutical treatments of COVID-19 among this special group of patients have been covered. Further, expert consensus statements regarding the management of this highly contagious disease among pregnant women and neonates have been discussed. It is believed that this comprehensive review will provide updated information on the epidemiology and clinical features of the ongoing pandemic among paediatric patients. Additionally, the guidelines for handling SARS-CoV-2 among pregnant women and children, as reviewed in this article, are anticipated to be useful to frontline clinicians battling this fatal disease around the globe.
Clinical experience in coronary stenting with the Vivant Z Stent

Chee KH, Siaw FS, Chan CG, Chong WP, Imran ZA, Haizal HK, et al.

Int J Clin Pract, 2005 Jun;59(6):628-31.
PMID: 15924588

This single centre study was designed to demonstrate feasibility, safety and efficacy of the Vivant Z stent (PFM AG, Cologne, Germany). Patients with de novo lesion were recruited. Coronary angioplasty was performed with either direct stenting or after balloon predilatation. Repeated angiogram was performed 6 months later or earlier if clinically indicated. Between January to June 2003, a total of 50 patients were recruited (mean age 55.8 +/- 9 years). A total of 52 lesions were stented successfully. Mean reference diameter was 2.77 mm (+/-0.59 SD, range 2.05-4.39 mm) with mean target lesion stenosis of 65.5% (+/-11.6 SD, range 50.1-93.3%). Forty-six lesions (88.5%) were American College of Cardiologist/American Heart Association class B/C types. Direct stenting was performed in 18 (34.6%) lesions. Mean stent diameter was 3.18 mm (+/-0.41 SD, range 2.5-4 mm), and mean stent length was 14.86 mm (+/-2.72 SD, range 9-18 mm). The procedure was complicated in only one case which involved the loss of side branch with no clinical sequelae. All treated lesions achieved Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction 3 flow. Mean residual diameter stenosis was 12.2% (+/-7.55 SD, range 0-22.6%) with acute gain of 1.72 mm (+/-0.50 SD, range 0.5-2.8). At 6 months, there was no major adverse cardiovascular event. Repeated angiography after 6 months showed a restenosis rate of 17% (defined as >50% diameter restenosis). Mean late loss was 0.96 mm (+/-0.48 SD) with loss index of 0.61 (+/-0.38 SD). The restenosis rate of those lesions less than 3.0 mm in diameter was 22.2% compared with 6.25% in those lesions more than 3.0 mm in diameter. The Vivant Z stent was shown to be safe and efficacious with low restenosis rate in de novo coronary artery lesion.
Dissolution of thrombus formed during direct coronary angioplasty with a single 10 mg intracoronary bolus dose of abciximab

Thuraisingham S, Tan KH

Int J Clin Pract, 1999 Dec;53(8):604-7.
PMID: 10692754

Direct coronary angioplasty with stent implantation is an effective treatment for acute myocardial infarction. The use of adjunctive abciximab, a platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor antagonist is expensive. We report on three cases of direct coronary angioplasty complicated by extensive thrombus formation that were successfully treated with attenuated dosing of abciximab via the intracoronary route. All patients presented with acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock or eminent cardiogenic shock. Abciximab was administered after balloon dilatation when extensive thrombus formation was noted and persisted despite repeated inflations. In all three patients a single 10 mg vial of intracoronary abciximab was administered, resulting in complete dissolution of thrombus, allowing successful deployment of stents. Thus, a single 10 mg intracoronary bolus dose of abciximab may be sufficient to achieve high local concentrations of antiplatelet activity. This facilitates thrombus dissolution and allows the safe deployment of a stent to normalise intracoronary rheology.
Falls in older persons with type 2 diabetes in the Malaysian Elders Longitudinal Research (MELoR) study

Ong WF, Kamaruzzaman SB, Tan MP

Int J Clin Pract, 2021 Dec;75(12):e14999.
PMID: 34714589 DOI: 10.1111/ijcp.14999

INTRODUCTION: Older persons with diabetes are at an increased risk of falls leading to fractures, head injuries and disability.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the potential relationship between falls and diabetes in older persons and identify differences in risk factors of falls among older persons with and without diabetes using the first wave dataset of the Malaysian Elders Longitudinal Research (MELoR) study.
METHODOLOGY: Community dwelling adults aged ≥ 55 years were selected through stratified random sampling from three parliamentary constituencies in greater Kuala Lumpur. Baseline data was obtained through computer-assisted, home-based interviews. The presence of falls was established by enquiring about falls in the preceding 12 months. Diabetes was defined as self-reported, physician-diagnosed diabetes, diabetes medication use and an HbA1c of ≥ 6.3%.
RESULTS: Diabetes was present in 44.4% of the overall 1610 participants. The prevalence for fall among older diabetics was 25.6%. Recurrent falls (odds ratio (OR) 1.65; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.06-2.57) was more common among diabetics. Following adjustment for potential confounders, osteoporosis (OR 2.58; 95% CI 1.31-5.08) and dizziness (OR 1.50; 95% CI 1.01-2.23) were independent risk factors for falls. Better instrumental activities of daily living scores were protective against falls (OR 0.75; 95% CI 0.58-0.97).
CONCLUSION: The presence of osteoporosis and dizziness was associated with an increased risk of falls among older diabetics. These findings will need to be confirmed in future prospective follow-up of this cohort.
Caring for cancer patients during COVID-19 global pandemic: Risk factors and precautionary principle

Yashavantha Rao HC, Siddeeqh S, Taqui SN

Int J Clin Pract, 2021 Jun;75(6):e14141.
PMID: 33715304 DOI: 10.1111/ijcp.14141

The current global pandemic COVID-19 challenges oncologists to reorganise cancer care in order to strikingly reduce hospital visits and admissions. Cancer patients are more susceptible to infections and likely to get severe consequences compared with other patients. Health-care facility services are quickly changing their systems and workflow in response to the global pandemic COVID-19 crisis. These alterations mitigate infection risks and give profound effects on crucial aspects of care, including patients with cancer. Here, we discuss the current situations and a roadmap for cancer care during the COVID-19 crisis. In the prevalence of global cancer and higher transmission of pandemic COVID-19, there is an urgent need to realise the effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection and their related life-threatening outcomes specifically for cancer patients.
Barriers and facilitators to starting insulin in patients with type 2 diabetes: a systematic review

Ng CJ, Lai PS, Lee YK, Azmi SA, Teo CH

Int J Clin Pract, 2015 Oct;69(10):1050-70.
PMID: 26147376 DOI: 10.1111/ijcp.12691

AIM: To identify the barriers and facilitators to start insulin in patients with type 2 diabetes.
METHOD: This was a systematic review. We conducted a systematic search using PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL and Web of Science (up to 5 June 2014) for original English articles using the terms 'type 2 diabetes', 'insulin', and free texts: 'barrier' or 'facilitate' and 'initiate'. Two pairs of reviewers independently assessed and extracted the data. Study quality was assessed with Qualsyst.
RESULTS: A total of 9740 references were identified: 41 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility. Twenty-five articles (15 qualitative, 10 quantitative) were included in the review. Good inter-rater reliability was observed for the Qualsyst score (weighted kappa 0.7). Three main themes identified were as follows: patient-related, healthcare professional and system factors. The main patient-related barriers were fear of pain and injection (n = 18), concerns about side effects of insulin (n = 12), perception that insulin indicated end stage of diabetes (n = 11), inconvenience (n = 10), difficulty in insulin administration (n = 7), punishment (n = 7) and stigma and discrimination (n = 7). Healthcare professionals' barriers were as follows: poor knowledge and skills (n = 9), physician inertia (n = 5) and language barriers (n = 4). System barriers included lack of time (n = 5). The most common facilitators were understanding the benefits of insulin (n = 7), not being afraid of injections (n = 5), and patient education and information (n = 5).
CONCLUSION: Major barriers to insulin initiation persist despite availability of newer and safer insulin. Healthcare professionals should explore and address these barriers. Targeted interventions should be developed to overcome these barriers.
Fulltext Association between elevated carotid intima-media thickness and serum uric acid levels among patients with essential hypertension in primary care setting in Sungai Buloh, Malaysia

Mohd Nasir MZ, Malek KA, Isa MR, Hamdan MF, Abdul Kadir RF, Ahmad F, et al.

Int J Clin Pract, 2021 Sep;75(9):e14445.
PMID: 34105862 DOI: 10.1111/ijcp.14445

AIMS: Our study aimed to investigate the association between elevated carotid-intima media thickness (CIMT) and serum uric acid (SUA) levels in hypertensive patients attending primary care clinics in Sungai Buloh, Malaysia.
METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study on 140 hypertensive patients attending outpatient follow-up in two primary care clinics in Sungai Buloh, Malaysia, using a convenient sampling method. SUA levels were measured and divided into four quartiles. Two radiologist specialists performed B mode ultrasonography to assess the thickness of the right and left carotid intima media in all participants.
RESULTS: Participants' mean SUA level was 355.75 ± 0.13. Their mean age was 53.44 (± 9.90), with a blood pressure control of 137.09 ± 13.22/81.89 ± 8.95. Elevated CIMT taken at ≥75th percentile was 0.666 for the left and 0.633 for the right common carotid arteries. By using a hierarchical method of multiple logistic regression, compared with the first quartile of the SUA level as reference group, the odd of elevated CIMT in quartile 4 in the common carotid artery was (OR = 2.00; 95% CI = 0.64-6.27, P = .576) for the right and (OR = 0.62; 95% CI = 0.20-2.00, P = .594) for the left. Waist circumference (P = .001), body mass index (P = .013), triglycerides (P

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