Displaying publications 21 - 40 of 53 in total

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  1. Fulltext Awareness and knowledge of common eye diseases among the academic staff (non-medical faculties) of University of Malaya
    Chew YK, Reddy SC, Karina R
    Med J Malaysia, 2004 Aug;59(3):305-11.
    PMID: 15727374 MyJurnal
    A cross sectional study was conducted to assess the level of awareness and knowledge of common eye diseases (cataract, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and refractive errors) among 473 academic staff (non-medical faculties) of University Malaya. The awareness of cataract was in 88.2%, diabetic retinopathy in 83.5%, refractive errors in 75.3% and glaucoma in 71.5% of the study population. The knowledge about all the above common eye diseases was moderate, except presbyopia which was poor. Multivariate analysis revealed that females, older people, and those having family history of eye diseases were significantly more aware and more knowledgeable about the eye diseases. Health education about eye diseases would be beneficial to seek early treatment and prevent visual impairment in the society.
    Matched MeSH terms: Family Health
  2. Metabolic, immunological and clinical characteristics in newly diagnosed Asian diabetes patients aged 12-40 years
    Pan CY, So WY, Khalid BA, Mohan V, Thai AC, Zimmet P, et al.
    Diabet Med, 2004 Sep;21(9):1007-13.
    PMID: 15317606 DOI: 10.1111/j.1464-5491.2004.01287.x
    AIM: To describe the clinical, biochemical and immunological characteristics of young-onset diabetes in Asia.
    METHODS: Clinical, biochemical and immunological variables were assessed in 919 newly diagnosed (duration less than 12 months) young onset Asian diabetic patients aged between 12 and 40 years. The subjects constituted 57% Chinese, 29% Indians and 14% Malays, recruited from diabetes centres in China, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia and Singapore.
    RESULTS: The mean age (+/- sd) was 31.6 +/- 7.2 years, with the majority (66%) in the 31-40 years age group. Mean body mass index (BMI) (+/- sd) was 25.3 +/- 5.0 kg/m2 with 47% exceeding the suggested Asian cut-off point for obesity (BMI > or = 25). Ethnic difference in clinical characteristics included BMI, blood pressure, mode of treatment and degree of insulin resistance. Most patients had a clinical presentation of Type 2 diabetes. About 10% had a classical combination of ketotic presentation, presence of autoimmune-markers and documented insulin deficiency indicative of Type 1 diabetes. Forty-eight percent were receiving oral hypoglycaemic agents (OHAs) while 31% were on diet only, 18% were receiving insulin and 2% were on a combination of insulin and OHA.
    CONCLUSION: Young onset diabetes patients in Asia represent a heterogeneous group in terms of their clinical and biochemical characteristics and classical Type 1 diabetes is relatively uncommon. The 5-year follow up study will determine the progress of these patients and help to clarify the natural history.
    Matched MeSH terms: Family Health
  3. Diagnosis and management of Duchenne muscular dystrophy in a developing country over a 10-year period
    Thong MK, Bazlin RI, Wong KT
    Dev Med Child Neurol, 2005 Jul;47(7):474-7.
    PMID: 15991868
    Clinical data on Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) are lacking in developing countries. The objective of this study was to delineate the demographic characteristics, investigations, and outcome of 21 Malaysian males diagnosed with DMD over a period of 10 years. Mean age presentation was 3 years 8 months (SD 23mo; range 10 to 84mo), mean duration from first presentation to diagnosis was 3y 7mo (SD 26mo; range 5 to 84) and the mean age for loss of ambulation was 11 years (SD 25mo; range 102 to 168). There was family history of DMD in five of the 21 patients. Muscle biopsy showed confirmatory findings of DMD in the 16 patients tested. Molecular genetic analysis showed dystrophin gene deletions in 11 of these 16 patients. Four and seven of the students stopped schooling and had learning difficulties, respectively; only nine had satisfactory school performances. Eight out of 14 patients evaluated were classified as having severe to total dependency levels on the modified Barthel Index for activities of daily living assessment. DMD is associated with significant medical and social needs for a developing country such as Malaysia. Earlier referral, genetic counselling, and provision of support and rehabilitative services are the main priorities.
    Matched MeSH terms: Family Health
  4. Colorectal cancer in Asians: a demographic and anatomic survey in Malaysian patients undergoing colonoscopy
    Goh KL, Quek KF, Yeo GT, Hilmi IN, Lee CK, Hasnida N, et al.
    Aliment Pharmacol Ther, 2005 Nov 1;22(9):859-64.
    PMID: 16225496
    Colorectal cancer is one of the most common forms of gastrointestinal cancer in the world today. In the Asia-Pacific area, it is the fastest emerging gastrointestinal cancer.
    Matched MeSH terms: Family Health
  5. Fulltext Recurrent Bell's palsy in a young woman
    Ngow HA, Wan Khairina WM, Hamidon BB
    Singapore Med J, 2008 Oct;49(10):e278-80.
    PMID: 18946598
    Bell's palsy is a benign lower motor neuron facial nerve disorder. It is almost always unilateral. We report a 20-year-old nulliparous woman with five episodes of recurrent Bell's palsy. A review of recent medical literature revealed a paucity of case reports involving an individual with five episodes of recurrent Bell's palsy, with none found in Asian neurology medical literature. Despite the multiple episodes of Bell's palsy recurrences, the patient did not suffer much neurological sequelae from the disease.
    Matched MeSH terms: Family Health
  6. Fulltext Does a positive family history influence the presentation of breast cancer?
    Yip CH, bt Mohd Taib NA, Lau PC
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2008 Jan-Mar;9(1):63-5.
    PMID: 18439076
    INTRODUCTION: An important risk factor for developing breast cancer is a positive family history of breast cancer. In Malaysia, there is no population-based breast screening programme, but the clinical practice guidelines suggest increased surveillance for those with a positive family history ie mammography for those 40 years old and above, breast self-examination and clinical breast examination yearly.
    OBJECTIVE: To determine if women with a family history of breast cancer present with earlier stages of disease.
    METHODOLOGY: From Jan 2001 to Dec 2006, 1553 women with breast cancer presenting to the University Malaya, where family history was recorded, were eligible for this study. Women with a first or second degree relative with breast cancer were compared with those who have no family history with regard to their race, age, stage, size and duration of symptoms. The Chi Square test of significance was used for analysis.
    RESULTS: Out of 1553 patients, 252 (16.2%) were found to have a relative with breast cancer out of which 174 (11.2%) had at least one affected first degree relative. There were no significant difference in the incidence of positive family history between the Malays, Chinese and Indians. 20% below the age of 40 years old had a positive family history compared with 12.6% in women with no family history. (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in stage at diagnosis between those with and without family history, ie 24.2% late stages (Stage 3 and 4) in the group with no family history compared with 21.8% in the group with family history. (p>0.05). The mean size in the group with no family history was 4.4 cm compared to 4.1 cm in the group with family history. There was a significant difference in screen-detected cancers in the women with family history, 10.7% compared with 5.1% of screen-detected cancers in the group without a family history. However there was no difference in the duration of symptoms between the 2 groups--25.8% in the women without a family history presented after 1 year of symptoms compared with 22.4% in the group with a family history (p>0.05).
    CONCLUSION: Having a family history of breast cancer does not appear to have much impact on the health-seeking behavior of women. Even though there were more screen detected cancers, these comprised only 10% of the group with family history. Public education should target women at risk ie with family history to encourage these women to present earlier and to undergo screening for breast cancer.
    Matched MeSH terms: Family Health
  7. Fulltext The Malaysian health reform in primary health care services
    Aniza I, Jamsiah M, Amin SA, Ali M, Munizam AM
    Malaysian Journal of Community Health, 2008;14(2):1-10.
    MyJurnal
    Introduction : Family Health Development Division is one of the earliest divisions in Public Health Department, Ministry of Health Malaysia. The division has progressed each year with the extension and expansion of the scopes of services since the establishment of Maternal and Child Health Unit in 1956. The services currently include school children, adolescent, adult and elderly health and also known as life-course perspective: from womb to tomb.
    Objectives : The objective is to elaborate and explain the reformation of primary health care services implemented in the past and present.
    Methods : The methodology applied is compilation, data review and comparison from annual report, action plan report, articles, speeches, specialists and stake holder view.
    Results : The focus of Primary Health Care Service is covering health promotion, disease prevention, early detection and treatment, acute disease care, disease limitation and rehabilitation, clinical support services and teleprimary care. The reformation is caused by factors such as globalization, modernization, growth of health market, emergence and re-emergence of diseases, and development of medical technology. Three health fields that have underwent and under going reformation are concept and wellness practise in primary healthcare, primary healthcare clinical support services development and primary healthcare informatics development. The outcome of these reformations is the increment of service quality and outstanding services for patients and health staffs.
    Conclusion : Health reformation in primary healthcare is greatly needed to give excellent services for primary health care for today and future.
    Matched MeSH terms: Family Health
  8. Fulltext OFD1 is mutated in X-linked Joubert syndrome and interacts with LCA5-encoded lebercilin
    Coene KL, Roepman R, Doherty D, Afroze B, Kroes HY, Letteboer SJ, et al.
    Am J Hum Genet, 2009 Oct;85(4):465-81.
    PMID: 19800048 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2009.09.002
    We ascertained a multi-generation Malaysian family with Joubert syndrome (JS). The presence of asymptomatic obligate carrier females suggested an X-linked recessive inheritance pattern. Affected males presented with mental retardation accompanied by postaxial polydactyly and retinitis pigmentosa. Brain MRIs showed the presence of a "molar tooth sign," which classifies this syndrome as classic JS with retinal involvement. Linkage analysis showed linkage to Xpter-Xp22.2 and a maximum LOD score of 2.06 for marker DXS8022. Mutation analysis revealed a frameshift mutation, p.K948NfsX8, in exon 21 of OFD1. In an isolated male with JS, a second frameshift mutation, p.E923KfsX3, in the same exon was identified. OFD1 has previously been associated with oral-facial-digital type 1 (OFD1) syndrome, a male-lethal X-linked dominant condition, and with X-linked recessive Simpson-Golabi-Behmel syndrome type 2 (SGBS2). In a yeast two-hybrid screen of a retinal cDNA library, we identified OFD1 as an interacting partner of the LCA5-encoded ciliary protein lebercilin. We show that X-linked recessive mutations in OFD1 reduce, but do not eliminate, the interaction with lebercilin, whereas X-linked dominant OFD1 mutations completely abolish binding to lebercilin. In addition, recessive mutations in OFD1 did not affect the pericentriolar localization of the recombinant protein in hTERT-RPE1 cells, whereas this localization was lost for dominant mutations. These findings offer a molecular explanation for the phenotypic spectrum observed for OFD1 mutations; this spectrum now includes OFD1 syndrome, SGBS2, and JS.
    Matched MeSH terms: Family Health
  9. Sociodemographic and health-lifestyle determinants of obesity risks in Malaysia
    Tan AK, Dunn RA, Samad MI, Feisul MI
    Asia Pac J Public Health, 2011 Apr;23(2):192-202.
    PMID: 20460299 DOI: 10.1177/1010539509359535
    The purpose of this study was to examine the sociodemographic and health-lifestyle factors that affect the likelihood of obesity among Malaysians. Data were obtained from the Malaysian Non-Communicable Disease Surveillance-1. The cross-sectional population-based survey consisted of 2447 observations, with an obesity prevalence rate of 17.2%. Based on logit regression analysis, the results suggest that obesity risks in Malaysia are affected by gender, education level, family history, health conditions, smoking status, and ethnic backgrounds. Specifically, Malaysians more likely to be obese are females (5.3%), lower educated (0.9%), those with history of family illnesses (4.8%), and nonsmokers (6.4%). However, Chinese (9.3%) and other (5.5%) ethnic groups are less likely to be obese when compared with Malays. Based on these results, several policy implications are discussed vis-à-vis obesity risks in Malaysia.
    Study name: Malaysia Non-Communicable Disease Surveillance-1 (MyNCDS-1) survey
    Matched MeSH terms: Family Health
  10. Predictors of breast cancer among women in a northern state of Malaysia: a matched case-control study
    Matalqah L, Radaideh K, Yusoff ZM, Awaisu A
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2011;12(6):1549-53.
    PMID: 22126497
    BACKGROUND: Breast cancer has been increased in South East Asia countries, but there are limited data for breast cancer risk factors in these countries. To clarify the risk for breast cancer among the Malaysian women, a matched case-control study was conducted.

    METHOD: Between October 2009 and April 2010, a survey was prospectively conducted among women admitted to clinics of Penang General Hospital for examination and/or treatment by using a questionnaire. Therefore, characteristics of patients diagnosed with breast cancer (n=150) were compared with control cases (n=150) admitted to hospital for non-neoplastic, non-hormone related diseases.

    RESULTS: Family history of a distant relative with breast cancer (OR=2.84), history of first-degree relatives with breast cancer (OR=2.95), history of benign breast disease (OR=2.43), menstrual irregularity (OR=4.24), and use of oral contraceptive pills (OCP) (OR=2.15) were found to be significant risk factors for breast cancer in our population. Furthermore, education more than 11 years (OR=0.40), breastfeeding (OR=0.50), being employed (OR=0.45) and practicing low fat diet (OR=0.53) were strongly protective against breast cancer development.

    CONCLUSION: The results emphasize the importance of conducting a series of awareness campaigns that highlights the protective role of longer breastfeeding period against breast cancer and the negative relationships between OCP use and high fat diet with this disease.

    Matched MeSH terms: Family Health
  11. Interaction between a novel intronic IVS3+172 variant and N29I mutation in PRSS1 gene is associated with pancreatitis in a Malaysian Chinese family
    Chua KH, Puah SM, Chew CH, Wong CH, Goh KL
    Pancreatology, 2011;11(4):441-4.
    PMID: 21952138 DOI: 10.1159/000330943
    Hereditary pancreatitis (HP) is a very rare form of early-onset chronic pancreatitis, which usually begins in childhood with a variable spectrum of severity of disease. HP is commonly caused by variants/mutations in the PRSS1 gene as reported in many studies. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate the possible association of PRSS1 gene variants/mutations in a Malaysian Chinese family with HP.
    Matched MeSH terms: Family Health
  12. Traumatic brain injury: caregivers' problems and needs
    Hassan ST, Khaw WF, Rosna AR, Husna J
    JNMA J Nepal Med Assoc, 2011 Jan-Mar;51(181):53-5.
    PMID: 22335097
    Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an increasingly major world health problem. This short review using the most pertinent articles on TBI caregiving problems and needs highlights the pressing issues. Articles focusing on both TBI-caregivers' problems and needs are rarely found, especially for developing countries. Most TBI-caregiving is done by family members, whose altered lives portend burden and stresses which add to the overwhelming demand of caring for the TBI-survivor. Lack of information, financial inadequacy, anxiety, distress, coping deficits, poor adaptability, inadequate knowledge and skills, and a poor support system comprise the major problems. Dysfunctional communication between caregivers and care-receivers has been little researched. The major needs are focused on health and rehabilitation information, financial advice and assistance, emotional and social support, and positive psychological encouragement. In time, health information needs may be met, but not emotional support. Information on TBI caregiving problems and unmet needs is critical to all relevant healthcare stakeholders.
    Matched MeSH terms: Family Health
  13. An initial look at the quality of life of Malaysian families that include children with disabilities
    Clark M, Brown R, Karrapaya R
    J Intellect Disabil Res, 2012 Jan;56(1):45-60.
    PMID: 21435066 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2788.2011.01408.x
    While there is a growing body of literature in the quality of life of families that include children with disabilities, the majority of research has been conducted in western countries. The present study provides an initial exploration of the quality of life of Malaysian families that include children with developmental/intellectual disabilities. Dynamics characterising Malaysian society are described as developments in social policy and service delivery that support persons with disabilities and their families.
    Matched MeSH terms: Family Health/statistics & numerical data*
  14. Fulltext Factor IX mutations in haemophilia B patients in Malaysia: a preliminary study
    Balraj P, Ahmad M, Khoo AS, Ayob Y
    Malays J Pathol, 2012 Jun;34(1):67-9.
    PMID: 22870602 MyJurnal
    Haemophilia B is caused by coagulation defects in the factor IX gene located in Xq27.1 on the X chromosome. Identification of mutations contributing to defective factor IX may be advantageous for precise carrier and prenatal diagnosis. We studied 16 patients from 11 families, consisting of 8 patients of the Malay ethnic group, of which 6 were siblings. Factor IX mutations have not been previously reported in the Malay ethnic group. The functional region of the factor IX gene was sequenced and mutations were identified in either the exon or intronic regions in 15 of the patients. One novel mutation, 6660_6664delTTCTT was identified in siblings with moderate form of haemophilia B. Mutations identified in our patients when linked with disease severity were similar to findings in other populations. In summary, this preliminary data will be used to build a Malaysian mutation database which would facilitate genetic counseling.
    Matched MeSH terms: Family Health
  15. Fulltext Co-inheritance of compound heterozygous Hb Constant Spring and a single -alpha(3.7) gene deletion with heterozygous deltabeta thalassaemia: a diagnostic challenge
    Azma RZ, Othman A, Azman N, Alauddin H, Ithnin A, Yusof N, et al.
    Malays J Pathol, 2012 Jun;34(1):57-62.
    PMID: 22870600
    Haemoglobin Constant Spring (Hb CS) mutation and single gene deletions are common underlying genetic abnormalities for alpha thalassaemias. Co-inheritance of deletional and non-deletional alpha (alpha) thalassaemias may result in various thalassaemia syndromes. Concomitant co-inheritance with beta (beta) and delta (delta) gene abnormalities would result in improved clinical phenotype. We report here a 33-year-old male patient who was admitted with dengue haemorrhagic fever, with a background history of Grave's disease, incidentally noted to have mild hypochromic microcytic red cell indices. Physical examination revealed no thalassaemic features or hepatosplenomegaly. His full blood picture showed hypochromic microcytic red cells with normal haemoglobin (Hb) level. Quantitation of Hb using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and capillary electrophoresis (CE) revealed raised Hb F, normal Hb A2 and Hb A levels. There was also small peak of Hb CS noted in CE. H inclusions was negative. Kleihauer test was positive with heterocellular distribution of Hb F among the red cells. DNA analysis for alpha globin gene mutations showed a single -alpha(-3.7) deletion and Hb CS mutation. These findings were suggestive of compound heterozygosity of Hb CS and a single -alpha(-3.7) deletion with a concomitant heterozygous deltabeta thalassaemia. Co-inheritance of Hb CS and a single -alpha(-3.7) deletion is expected to result at the very least in a clinical phenotype similar to that of two alpha genes deletion. However we demonstrate here a phenotypic modification of alpha thalassemia presumptively as a result of co-inheritance with deltabeta chain abnormality as suggested by the high Hb F level.
    Matched MeSH terms: Family Health
  16. Central and peripheral blood pressure profile of young offspring with hypertensive and normotensive parents
    Othman AS, Othman NI, Rosman A, Nudin SS, Rahman AR
    J Hypertens, 2012 Aug;30(8):1552-5.
    PMID: 22635140 DOI: 10.1097/HJH.0b013e328355207b
    OBJECTIVES: In this cross-sectional study we compared the central aortic systolic pressure (CASP), peripheral brachial systolic pressure (PSP), peripheral brachial diastolic pressure (PDP) and augmentation index (AIx) between normotensive offspring of nonhypertensive parents (ONT) and normotensive offspring with at least one hypertensive parent (OHT).
    METHODOLOGY: A total of 100 healthy ONT (mean age 20.95 ± 2.06) and 100 healthy OHT (mean age 20.89 ± 2.12) individuals were recruited. Parental history of hypertension was determined by detailed history taking. CASP, PSP, PDP and AIx were measured using the BPro device. All blood pressure (BP) measurements were calibrated using oscillometric BP readings.
    RESULTS: The OHT group had higher PSP (117.57 ± 10.06 versus 114.52 ± 8.94, P < 0.05), PDP (72.39 ± 7.28 versus 70.39 ± 6.50, P < 0.05) and CASP (103.72 ± 8.95 versus 101.37 ± 7.74, P < 0.05) compared to the ONT group. There was no significant difference in AIx in the ONT group (57.97 ± 11.02 versus 58.08 ± 12.16, P = 0.95) in comparison to the OHT group. However, following adjustments for certain cardiovascular risk factors, only PSP (117.33 versus 114.76, P < 0.05) remained significantly higher in the OHT group compared to the ONT group. Analysis of adjusted data within sex showed that CASP was higher in the female OHT group compared to the female ONT group, whereas PDP were higher in the male OHT group compared to the male ONT group.
    CONCLUSION: Alterations in PSP, PDP and CASP are already present in early life in normotensive offspring of hypertensive parents, with possible differences in mechanism between different sexes.
    Study site: Clinical Research Laboratory in Cyberjaya University College of Medical Sciences, Selangor, Malaysia
    Matched MeSH terms: Family Health
  17. Heredity factor in myopia development among a sample in Klang Valley, Malaysia
    Kaur S, Ramli NI, Narayanasamy S
    Chin Med J (Engl), 2012 Oct;125(19):3522-5.
    PMID: 23044317
    Development of myopia among young children is often contributed to the refractive status of the parents. This study was conducted to determine whether myopia can be inherited across the generation among a sample in the Klang Valley. Three generations involved are: G1 (grandparents), G2 (parents) and G3 (children).
    Matched MeSH terms: Family Health
  18. Fulltext Epidemiology of Plasmodium knowlesi malaria in north-east Sabah, Malaysia: family clusters and wide age distribution
    Barber BE, William T, Dhararaj P, Anderios F, Grigg MJ, Yeo TW, et al.
    Malar J, 2012;11:401.
    PMID: 23216947 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-11-401
    The simian parasite Plasmodium knowlesi is a common cause of human malaria in Malaysian Borneo, with a particularly high incidence in Kudat, Sabah. Little is known however about the epidemiology in this substantially deforested region.
    Matched MeSH terms: Family Health
  19. Darkroom prone provocative test in primary angle closure glaucoma relatives
    Zahari M, Ong YM, Taharin R, Ramli N
    Optom Vis Sci, 2014 Apr;91(4):459-63.
    PMID: 24637481 DOI: 10.1097/OPX.0000000000000220
    To evaluate ocular biometric parameters and darkroom prone provocative test (DPPT) in family members of primary angle closure (PAC) glaucoma (PACG) patients and to establish any correlation between these biometric parameters and the DPPT response.
    Matched MeSH terms: Family Health
  20. Fulltext Homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia
    Alicezah MK, Razali R, Rahman T, Hoh BP, Suhana NH, Muid S, et al.
    Malays J Pathol, 2014 Aug;36(2):131-7.
    PMID: 25194536 MyJurnal
    We report a rare case of homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH), a 22-year-old Malay woman who presented initially with minor soft tissue injury due to a cycling accident. She was then incidentally found to have severe xanthelasma and hypercholesterolemia (serum TC 15.3 mmol/L and LDL-C 13.9 mmol/L). She was referred to the Specialized Lipid Clinic and was diagnosed with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) based on the Simon Broome (SB) diagnostic criteria. There was a family history of premature coronary heart disease (CHD) in that three siblings had sudden cardiac death, and of consanguineous marriage in that her parents are cousins. DNA screening of LDLR and APOB genes was done by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), followed by Denaturing High Performance Liquid Chromatography (DHPLC). Homozygous mutation C255S in Exon 5 of her LDLR gene was found. There was no mutation was found in Exon 26 and Exon 29 of the APOB gene. This report is to emphasize the importance of identifying patients with FH and cascade screening through established diagnostic criteria and genetic studies in order to ensure early detection and early treatment intervention to minimize the risk of developing CHD and related complications.
    Matched MeSH terms: Family Health
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