METHODS: A cross-sectional study (n = 230) was conducted using the Pressure Management Inventory on several female dominated health professions within a large public hospital. Analysis of variance was used to show relationship between sources and outcome of pressure. Linear regressions were used to predict which sources of pressure (IV) was linked to the outcomes of occupational pressure (DV).
RESULTS: The number one source of occupational pressure is relationships at work (i.e. with supervisors), and not workload. 'Relationship' is also the key predictor of several negative outcomes of pressure at work. Analysis of variance showed significant differences in two sources of pressures, i.e. Workload (P = 0.04) and Home-work balance (P = 0.03).
CONCLUSION: This paper provides insights into the occupational pressure of women health professionals by highlighting the organisational sources of pressure and the implications for preventing occupational dysfunction secondary to stress at work.
METHODS: This is a naturalistic study conducted in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Patients with first-episode schizophrenia and related psychosis were recruited from Kuala Lumpur Hospital. WHOQOL-BREF, side effects of medications and other variables were assessed after 1 year of treatment in routine clinical situation.
RESULTS: The study comprised 120 adults. There were no significant statistical differences between groups concerning subjective quality of life, extrapyramidal side effects and employment. Significant less benzhexol usage was reported among AAs (P<0.001) compared to CAs and sulpiride.
CONCLUSION: Patients treated with CAs, sulpiride or AAs experienced similar quality of life, clinical and health outcomes after 1 year commencing treatment. Overall, the results are in line with other major pragmatic clinical trials. This study also found sulpiride cost-effective.
AIMS: This study was performed to evaluate and compare the oxidative changes in patients with varying severity of HI in the early posttraumatic period using erythrocyte indicators.
SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Head injury patients were divided into two groups based on their Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores recorded at admission to the hospital on the day of trauma itself. Accordingly, the study included 30 severe HI (SHI, GCS scores 8 or less) and 25 Mild HI (MHI, GCS scores more than 8) patients. Thirty age and sex-matched healthy individuals were included in this comparative study as controls.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Blood samples were obtained from controls and HI patients (within 24 h of trauma onset). Erythrocyte oxidative changes were studied by estimating thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione reductase (GR).
RESULTS: Erythrocyte TBARS levels were significantly higher and GSH levels were significantly lower in SHI and MHI patients as compared to controls. The SOD activity was significantly increased only in SHI patients and remained unchanged in MHI patients as compared to controls. As compared to MHI patients, erythrocyte TBARS levels were significantly higher, GSH levels were significantly lower and SOD activity was markedly elevated in SHI patients. Erythrocyte GR activity did not show significant changes in both groups of patients as compared to controls.
CONCLUSION: Oxidative stress is evident in both SHI and MHI patients in the early posttraumatic period as reflected by their erythrocyte indicators, but the severity of oxidative stress has varied relatively with the severity of head injury. The present findings provide indications that early oxidative changes could influence the neurological recovery of HI patients.