MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional observational study. Medical practitioners were recruited from the Malaysian Medical Association via email invitations. Data were collected via a validated online questionnaire and analysed using SPSS, employing bivariate correlation and multiple linear regression analyses to examine the predictors of referral behaviour.

RESULTS: A total of 389 medical practitioners were recruited. The respondents were predominantly general practitioners aged 35-44 years, with 10-19 years of clinical experience, and approximately 90.0% managed cnLBP. Despite the high awareness of the Traditional and Complementary Medicine Act (92.0%), only 33.2% referred patients to acupuncture. Few had acupuncture training (3.6%) or personal experience (7.7%), and services were available in 12.1% of the workplaces. Medical practitioners possess substantial knowledge about acupuncture treatment for cnLBP; however, misconceptions and uncertainties regarding its mechanisms persist. Using multiple linear regression analysis, the significant predictors of acupuncture referral were self-experience (β=0.151, p<0.01), attitude (β=0.189, p<0.001), and perceived behavioural control (β=0.101, p<0.05).

METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study among TB with Comorbidities cases in Negeri Sembilan using multiple secondary surveillance databases: National Tuberculosis Registry (NTBR), National Aids Registry (NAR) and National Diabetic Registry (NDR). The data review was from April 2024 until June 2024. All registered TB cases with comorbidities in Negeri Sembilan from the year 2018 to 2023 were analysed to determine the determinants of successful TB treatment among TB with comorbidities patients.

RESULTS: Out of 712 TB cases with comorbidities, 541 (76.0%) achieved a successful TB treatment outcome, and 171 (24.0%) did not. The successful TB treatment among TB with comorbidities showed predominantly among male (72.5%), Malay ethnicity (65.4%), secondary education level (60.3%), and unemployed working status (70.1%). Diabetes mellitus (DM) was the most common comorbidity (70.4%), followed by hypertension (44.8%), dyslipidaemia (36.0%), HIV (19.5%), and viral hepatitis (18.1%). Factors significantly associated with successful TB treatment were those who had a secondary education level (AOR: 2.222; 95% CI: 1.129, 4.374) and a tertiary education level (AOR: 4.474; 95% CI: 1.428- 14.01), were diagnosed with TB in the government hospital (AOR: 0.053; 95% CI: 0.008-0.376), and were not done Acid- Fast Bacillus sputum in the intensive phase of treatment (AOR: 0.191; 95% CI: 0.046, 0.785), cases followed the Directly Observed Therapy at the intensive phase (AOR: 9.045; 95% CI: 4.604, 17.770), and the treatment duration was more than 6 months (AOR: 6.511; 95% CI: 3.383, 12.532).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted retrospectively by reviewing records of pancreatic cancer patients hospitalized between January 2011 and December 2018 across multiple health centres in Malaysia. Using Cox proportional hazards regression analysis, several prognostic factors were identified.

RESULTS: The study revealed that being Chinese, having a family history of pancreatic cancer, having hepatitis C, presenting with jaundice, experiencing pale stools, having a palpable mass in the abdomen, the presence of ascites, receiving palliative care and end-of-life care were associated with higher mortality risk. Conversely, being female, having hypertension, and higher haemoglobin levels were linked to decreased mortality risk.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A single-blinded Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial was conducted at the IKN between January 2023 and June 2023. The estimated sample size was 120 participants. A sequential numbering system assigned a unique identifier to each participant until a total of 120 participants were recruited, with 60 participants in both the intervention and control groups. The intervention group received chemotherapy counselling using a newly developed module. QoL and depression were assessed at multiple time points using a validated questionnaire. Data were analysed using SPSS version 26, with independent tests and two-way repeated measures ANOVA. A p-value < 0.05 was considered significant, and partial eta squared was used to measure effect size.

RESULT: Overall, in age distribution, the intervention group had the highest percentage of participants in the 41-60 years category (40.0%), whereas the control group had the highest percentage of participants aged ≥61 years (38.3%). The counselling module was effective in improving QoL and depression among participants at baseline and for three consecutive follow-ups following interventions. The QoL showed improvement in all four domains in the intervention group, which were Physical Health (p < 0.001), Psychological (p < 0.001), Social Relationship (p < 0.001), and Environment (p = 0.001). There was also a moderate effect reduction on depression (p < 0.001).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted on patients who underwent ICCE at Hospital Melaka, Malaysia, from January 2014 to December 2023.

RESULTS: A total of 143 ICCE surgeries were performed on 135 patients. Most patients were male (n=88, 65.2%), with females comprising 34.8% (n=47). Most surgeries were performed on patients aged 60-69 years (n=48, 35.5%), followed by those aged 50-59 years (n=31, 23.0%) and 70-79 years (n=28, 20.7%). Incidence was lower among patients below 50 years and above 80 years. In terms of ethnicity, the highest incidence was among Malays (n=77, 57.0%), followed by Chinese (n=42, 31.1%) and Indians (n=15, 11.1%). The leading cause of ICCE was senile cataract with weak zonular support (n=58, 40.6%), followed by trauma (n=33, 23.1%), intraoperative complications (n=30, 21.0%), congenital cataracts (n=14, 9.8%), pseudoexfoliation (n=4, 2.8%), and lens-induced glaucoma (n=4, 2.8%). Post-surgery, 76 patients (53.1%) were left aphakic. Among those receiving IOL implants, 21.0% (n=30) had anterior chamber IOL, 14.7% (n=21) received an iris-claw IOL, and 11.2% (n=16) had a scleral-fixated IOL. Twelve weeks after IOL implantation, 60.9% (n=39) achieved good visual acuity of 6/12 or better, while 17.2% (n=11) had moderate vision (6/18 to 6/36), and 21.9% (n=14) had poor vision (worse than 6/60).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 244 occupational therapy practitioners; 43 males; and 181 females. The level of empathy and listening style were assessed using the Jefferson Scale of Empathy Health Professional version and Listening Styles Profile- Revised questionnaires. Data were collected using Google Form. Analysis data were done using IBM SPSS Statistical Software version 26.

RESULTS: Statistical analysis showed that Malaysia occupational therapists preferred perspective taking (mean 55.67, Standard Deviation, SD 10.54) in empathy and the analytical listening in listening styles approach (mean 34.71, SD 6.76). In addition, there was a moderate to strong significant correlation between the level of empathy and listening styles (r= 0.419 to 0.648, p<0.05). Furthermore, there is significant difference between listening styles and empathy in relation to gender (male>female) p=0.001-0.038), race (Indian higher than Malay and Chinese) and areas of practice (paediatric higher than psychiatric) (p= 0.016 to 0.039).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of HL patients treated from January 1, 2006, to December 31, 2018, with follow-up until December 31, 2021. Data on demographics, clinical features, treatments, and outcomes were analyzed. OS and PFS were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS: Among 126 patients, the median follow up was 41 months. Most were male (55.6%) and of Malay ethnicity (97.6%). Nodular sclerosis was the predominant histology (52.4%), with 77.8% presenting with advanced-stage disease. All patients received chemotherapy, while 23.1% underwent combined modality therapy either with radiotherapy or immunotherapy. Post-treatment, only 34.1% achieved complete response. The 3-year OS and PFS rates were 74.9% and 59.5%, respectively-relatively lower than rates reported in developed countries. Independent adverse prognostic factors for OS and PFS included advanced-stage disease, bulky disease, elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 160 individuals were selected, comprising 80 psoriasis patients and 80 controls, matched for age, gender, ethnicity, marital status, education levels, and prevalence of comorbidities. Cognitive function was assessed using the VCAT. The relationship between cognitive impairment and various disease-related factors, including psoriasis severity measured using Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI scores), disease duration, and the presence of psoriatic arthropathy, was examined.

RESULTS: The mean VCAT scores for the psoriasis and control groups were 25.38 (SD = 3.18) and 25.94 (SD = 2.67), respectively, with no significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.227). While most cognitive domains showed no significant differences, the VCAT attention sub-score was significantly lower in psoriasis patients (p < 0.05). There was no significant association between psoriasis and cognitive impairment. No significant association was found between cognitive function and PASI scores nor psoriatic arthropathy. A negative association was found between disease duration and VCAT scores, suggesting longer disease duration correlates with lower cognitive function (p = 0.05).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 543 HCWs from the KOSPEN WOW ("Komuniti Sihat Pembina Negara" or "Healthy Community Builds the Nation-Wellness of Workers") database in three district health offices (DHOs) under the Selangor State Health Department in Malaysia. To estimate the office-based Globorisk model, factors such as age, sex, current smoking status, systolic blood pressure (SBP), and body mass index (BMI) were included. Data analysis employed were Pearson chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, Welch's t-test and binary logistic regression.

RESULTS: Among 543 participants, 453 (83.4%) were female, 439 (80.8%) were Malay with mean (SD) age of 44.4 (4.38). Majority of moderate-high CVDs risk identified among primary HCWs was male with 26 (86.7%), Malay with 25 (83.3%), and non-clinical group with 17 (56.7%). The prevalence of low CVDs risk was 94.5% (95% CI: 92.2-96.2) and 5.5% (95% CI: 3.8-7.8) for the moderate-high risk category. Factors associated with moderate-high CVDs risk were job category with non-clinical group (95% CI: 1.43, 6.85), elevated blood glucose (95% CI: 3.25, 19.41) and anxiety symptom (95% CI: 1.46, 13.86).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study utilising secondary data from the National Tuberculosis Registry (NTBR). The study was conducted in Selangor among relapsed TB patients who were registered in NTBR from 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2019. TB disease profile, TB treatment profile, comorbidities, and sociodemographic data were examined. The determinants of unsuccessful treatment outcomes among relapsed TB patients were identified using multiple (binary) logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS: 896 patients who experienced relapsed tuberculosis were included in this study. 32.25% were reported to have unsuccessful treatment outcomes. Multiple (binary) logistic regression revealed that the absence of sputum smear examination at 5 months and beyond was a determinant of unsuccessful treatment outcome (AOR 1.70 (95% CI: 1.19, 2.44). Additionally, being treated in government facilities, such as government hospitals and government primary health clinics, was a protective factor (AOR 0.06 (95% CI: 0.03, 0.15) and AOR 0.02 (95% CI: 0.01, 0.04), respectively.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A single-centre case-control study was conducted in which patients admitted with stroke and healthy controls were recruited with consent. EEG was performed within 48 hours of admission for stroke patients and during outpatient assessments for controls. The EEG signals were pre-processed, analysed for spectral power using MATLAB, and plotted as topoplots.

RESULTS: A total of 194 participants were included and equally divided into patients with ischemic stroke and controls. The mean age of our study cohort was 55.11 years (SD±13.12), with a median National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score of 6 (IQR 4-6) and lacunar stroke was the most common subtype (49.5%). Spectral analysis, with subsequent topographic brain mapping, highlighted clustering of important channels within the beta, alpha, and gamma bands.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The screening process yielded 13 studies conducted in various countries and regions. These studies, employing designs such as cross-sectional, cohort, and clinical trials, focused on CKD patients across different stages, including early and late-stage CKD.

RESULTS: The study revealed that musculoskeletal disorders are a considerable concern within the CKD population but are insufficiently explored among ESKD patients. Common musculoskeletal disorders identified include osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, fibromyalgia, carpopedal spasm, and chronic musculoskeletal pain syndrome. The prevalence of these disorders varied, with sub-group analysis revealing higher prevalence among hemodialysis patients compared to preand non-dialysis patients. While musculoskeletal pain remains consistent across CKD stages, potential confounding factors, such as palliative care settings and mobility issues warrant careful consideration.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study analysed 119 COVID-19 patients admitted to Al-Sultan Abdullah Hospital (HASA) from March until December 2020. Demographics, medical histories, admission laboratory results, electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiogram (echo), were captured from the hospitals' health records. Myocardial injury is an injury to the myocardium that can be diagnosed by elevated cardiac troponin T or I level above the 99th percentile upper reference limit (URL), an abnormal ECG, and an abnormal echo. Data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 27.

RESULTS: From this study, it was founded that the prevalence of myocardial injury is 36.1% (43 subjects out of 119). The risk factors are older age (odds ratio, 2.347; p=0.028), males (odds ratio, 2.019; p=0.125), Indians (odds ratio, 3.659; p=0.296), hypertension (odds ratio, 2.776; p=0.009), diabetes mellitus (odds ratio, 1.732; p=0.155) and category 4 and 5 COVID-19 patients (odds ratio, 2.325; p=0.038).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-one patients with carotid atherosclerotic plaques (95 plaques) were studied on CEUS. Contrast enhancement in the plaque was evaluated with visual interpretation and quantitative analysis. The intraplaque neovascularisation (IPN) test was graded on a 3- point scale. IPN was quantified using dedicated software for CEUS image analysis.

RESULTS: It was found that the CEUS quantitative parameters were significantly different for plaques with varying types of echoes. The quantitative parameters also differed in soft, hard, and mixed plaques. The quantification of carotid IPN using CEUS was found feasible. The quantitative parameters measured from CEUS provide multiple references for carotid IPN of different echo types. This can help identify and monitor unstable atherosclerotic plaques.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Second Victim Experience and Support Tool for Recovery (SVEST-R) questionnaire was utilized to conduct an anonymous survey on the healthcare providers in Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) from August to October 2018.

RESULTS: A total of 482 respondents participated in the survey and 46.1% of the respondents reported SVE following their involvement in PSIs. Notably, symptoms such as flashbacks, fear, and stress tend to persist for longer durations compared to other symptoms. It is worth noting that non-work-related support received the highest mean (medical doctors = 3.83; nurses = 3.70), indicating that respondents preferred to seek emotional support from their friends and families. Furthermore, nurses reported a significantly higher experience of absenteeism following PSIs than doctors (p=0.003). In addition, most respondents expressed a desire for discussion or counselling with a respected peer or supervisor following their involvement in PSIs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional observational study design was used. Patients were recruited through purposive sampling from pulmonology outpatient clinic and inpatient ward at Jemursari Islamic Hospital (RSI Jemursari), Surabaya from July 2023 to December 2023. All enrolled patients should have been previously tested positive or negative for pulmonary TB using AFB staining, Xpert MTB and chest x-ray. Blood samples of the patients were collected and processed using the IchromaTM IGRA-TB diagnostic kit. The results were then compared with gold standard methods for calculating the IGRA-TB diagnostic value.

RESULTS: A total of 56 adult patients were enrolled in this study. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and accuracy rate of IGRA-TB using IchromaTM IGRA-TB diagnostic kit were 80.56%, 85%, 90.62%, 70.83% and 82.14%, respectively.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients admitted to medical wards with blood stream infection during the period January 2021 to June 2021 were enrolled. Identification of organisms and antimicrobial susceptibility testing were obtained. Information regarding the severity of the bacteremia was collected by assessing if the patient needed inotropes, mechanical ventilation or renal replacement therapy. Data on comorbidities which were the presence of end-stage renal failure, diabetic mellitus and immunosuppression were collected.

RESULTS: Total of 269 cases were screened. Out of these 104 communities acquired cases were included. The pathogens frequently isolated were gram negative organisms most commonly Escherichia coli (43%) and Klebsiella species (30%). Staphylococcus aureus accounts for the majority of gram-positive organisms. Only two out of 20 Staphylococcus aureus were methicillin resistant. Bulkholderia pseudomallei accounts for 7.8% cases. All Burkholderia pseudomallei isolates were sensitive to cotrimoxazole. Escherichia coli (46%) isolates demonstrated a higher resistance pattern to Augmentin compared to klebsiella species (17.4%). The overall mortality rate was 22%, with higher rates for those critically ill (39%). Patients with Enterobacteriaceae infection showed no difference in outcome between the groups of patients according to sensitivity to Augmentin and cefotaxime. These groups of patients who were critically ill did not demonstrate any significant difference in terms of resistance pattern to Augmentin (p = 0.3) and cefotaxime (p = 0.7). Patients who are aged 65 or older have a significantly more resistant pattern to Augmentin and cefotaxime.