METHOD: A total of 2218 PWE were recruited retrospectively into this study. Deceased cases from 2009-2018 were identified from the National Registry Department of Malaysia. Age-, gender-, and ethnic-specific SMR were calculated.
RESULT: There was a total of 163 deaths, of which 111 (68.1%) were male. The overall case-fatality rate (CFR) was 7.3%. Male PWE had higher CFR (9.2%) compared to females (5.1%, p<0.001). The annual death rate of PWE was 867 per 100, 000 persons. The overall all-cause SMR was 1.6 (CI 95% 1.3-1.8). The SMR for younger age groups (15-19 and 20-29 years) were higher (5.4-5.5) compared to other age groups (0.4-2.5). Overall SMR for male PWE (1.8, 95% CI 1.5-2.1) was higher than females (1.2, 95% CI 0.9-1.6). However, the SMR for female PWE in the younger age groups (15-19, 20-29 and 30-39 years) was higher. SMR among the Indian PWE was the highest (1.6, 95% CI 1.2-2.0) compared to the Chinese (1.5, 95% CI 1.2-1.9) and the Malays (1.4, 95% 1.0-1.9). The CFR was higher in those with focal epilepsy (8.5% vs. 2.5-3.7% in genetic and other generalized epilepsies, p=0.003), epilepsy with structural cause (9.5% vs. 5.9% in others, p=0.005) and uncontrolled seizures (7.9% vs. 5.2% in seizure-free group, p<0.001).
CONCLUSION: The mortality rate of PWE in Malaysia is higher than that of the general population but lower compared to other Asian countries. Specifically, the rates are higher in the younger age group, male gender, and Indian ethnicity. Those with focal epilepsy, structural causes and uncontrolled seizures have higher mortality rates.
METHODS: A retrospective review of all cases of computed tomography-confirmed acute diverticulitis from November 2015 to April 2018 was performed. Data collated included basic demographics, computed tomography scan results (uncomplicated versus complicated diverticulitis), treatment modality (conservative versus intervention), outcomes and follow-up colonoscopy results within 12 months of presentation. The patients were divided into no adenoma (A) and adenoma (B) groups. Visceral fat area (VFA), subcutaneous fat area (SFA) and VFA/SFA ratio (V/S) were measured at L4/L5 level. Statistical analysis was performed to evaluation the association of VFA, SFA, V/S and different thresholds with the risk of adenoma formation.
RESULTS: A total of 169 patients were included in this study (A:B = 123:46). The mean ± standard deviation for VFA was higher in group B (201 ± 87 cm2 versus 176 ± 79 cm2 ) with a trend towards statistical significance (P = 0.08). There was no difference in SFA and V/S in both groups. When the VFA >200 cm2 was analysed, it was associated with a threefold risk of adenoma formation (odds ratio 2.7, 95% confidence interval 1.35-5.50, P = 0.006). Subgroup analysis of gender with VFA, SFA and V/S found that males have a significantly higher VFA in group B (220.0 ± 95.2 cm2 versus 187.3 ± 69.2 cm2 ; P = 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: The radiological measurement of visceral adiposity is a useful tool for opportunistic assessment of risk of colorectal adenoma.
METHODS: This is a retrospective study to determine the outcomes of mixed urinary incontinence after mid-urethral sling surgery with two groups, urodynamic stress incontinence (USI) with urgency and urodynamic mixed urinary incontinence (MUI-UD; USI and detrusor overactivity [DO]).
RESULTS: Ninety women (USI + urgency group) with preoperative USI and urgency and no demonstrable DO/DOI attained an objective cure of 82.2%, whereas the remaining 67 (MUI-UD group) women with both USI and DO/DOI were reported to have an objective cure of only 55.2%. Subjective cures were 81.1% and 53.7% respectively. The type of incontinence surgery does not affect postoperative outcomes in either of the groups. Demographic factors identified to have a significant negative effect on cure rates were postmenopausal status (p = 0.005), prior hysterectomy (p = 0.028), pre-operative smaller blafdder capacity (p = 0.001), and a larger volume of pre-operative pad test (p = 0.028). A lower mid-urethral closure pressure (MUCP) was significant with post-operative failure of treatment with MUI-UD group (68.8 ± 36.2 cmH2O vs 51.9 ± 24.7 cmH2O; p = 0.033).
CONCLUSIONS: Although there is evidence for a good cure of the stress component of MUI, urodynamic investigation with its findings prior to management of MUI could have greater implications for selective patient centered counseling. Presence of DO or DOI on urodynamics resulted in poorer objective and subjective outcomes.
METHODS: This was a prospective, cross-sectional study. A total of 429 respondents diagnosed with urologic cancers (prostate, bladder and renal cancer) from Sarawak General Hospital and Subang Jaya Medical Centre in Malaysia were interviewed by using a structured questionnaire. SPB and HRQoL were measured by the Self-perceived Burden Scale and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General 7 Item Scale respectively.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Self-perceived burden was experienced by 73.2% of the respondents. Respondents who had a lower education level, a monthly household income
METHODS: A retrospective analysis of all patients with diverticulitis admitted from November 2015 to April 2018 at a single institution was performed. Data collected included demographics, vital signs, biochemistry results, CT scan findings and management outcomes. The patients were divided into uncomplicated (U) and complicated diverticulitis (C) groups. Visceral fat area (VFA), subcutaneous fat area (SFA) and VFA/SFA ratio (V/S) were measured at L4/L5 level by the radiologist. Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate the association of VFA, SFA, V/S with the parameters in both U and C groups.
RESULTS: 352 patients were included in this study (U:C = 265:87). There was no significant difference in vital signs and biochemistry results in both groups. There was no significant difference in VFA, SFA, V/S ratios in both groups. In patients with V/S ratio > 0.4, they were 5.06 times more likely to undergo emergency intervention (95% CI 1.10-23.45) (p = 0.03). On multivariate analysis, a heart rate > 100 (OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.2-6.7), CRP > 50 (OR 3.4, 95% CI 1.9-6.0), WCC 12 (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.2-3.6) and V/S ratio > 0.4 (OR 2.8, 95% CI 1.5-5.4) were predictive of complicated diverticulitis.
CONCLUSION: The quantitative radiological measurement of visceral adiposity is useful in prognostication in patients presenting with diverticulitis.
METHODS: Data of all patients diagnosed with NPC over a 5-year period from January 2015 to December 2019 inclusive were collected from the NPC registry of 3 main hospitals in Sabah. Age-standardized rates (ASRs) for different genders, ethnicities, and districts of origin were calculated.
RESULTS: 215 NPC patients were identified with a mean age at diagnosis of 49 (range 9-82). The ASR of NPC was 7.9/100,000 where the average age-adjusted male-to-female ratio was 2.4. The highest ASR was found in Dusun ethnicity in both male (3.19/100,000) and female (1.69/100,000) individuals, followed by Chinese (both genders), and Kadazan (for male individuals) and Bajau (for female individuals). The highest ASR was found in patients originating from Sandakan, Kota Kinabalu, Keningau, and Tawau.
CONCLUSION: This is the first report on the incidence of NPC in Sabah, Borneo. The data suggest high ASRs among the population, especially in male Dusun and Chinese ethnic groups. Further research looking into NPC in this state, especially on risk factors and ways to improve diagnosis and prevention among the population, is recommended.
Objective: This study aimed to explore the fundamental needs and barriers of medication-taking self-efficacy in poststroke patients in Malaysia.
Methods: We performed in-depth individual interviews with poststroke patients (N=10) from the Outpatient Neurology Clinic, Hospital Kuala Lumpur. All interviews were transcribed verbatim, and an inductive thematic analysis was performed on the data collected from the interviews.
Results: Two key themes were identified: (1) self-efficacy in taking the effort to understand stroke and its preventative treatment for recurrent stroke and (2) self-efficacy in taking prescribed medication to prevent stroke. Patients needed to be proactive in seeking reliable information about stroke and the perceived benefits of preventative treatment for stroke. The discussion was focused on eliciting the needs and barriers related to medication-taking self-efficacy. Patients needed to develop independence and self-reliance to overcome barriers such as dependency and low motivation. External factors such as limited information resources, low perceived severity, poor social environment, and poor communication add to the challenges of poststroke patients to improve their self-efficacy of managing their medications.
Conclusions: The study identified potential key findings related to the needs of patients in a localized setting, which are also related to several health behavioral concepts and constructs, indicating the importance of overcoming barriers to improve the quality of life in poststroke patients. We anticipate that the results will be taken into consideration for future personalized patient education interventions.