Methods: A quasi-experimental trial study was conducted to compare the effectiveness of nasal rinsing between two groups. The intervention group was instructed to perform nasal rinsing during ablution, while the control group was not asked to do nasal rinsing. Both groups were provided progress diaries to record the symptoms of respiratory tract infection, including cough, rhinorrhoea, nasal blockage, fever, and sore throat, as well as thick phlegm, shortness of breath, epistaxis, and changes in sense of smell. The groups were also instructed to record any visits to clinics for their symptoms throughout their stay in Makkah for the Hajj ritual.
Results: The study showed that nasal rinsing significantly reduced the symptoms of cough, rhinorrhoea, and nasal blockage. The intervention group had an increased number of visits to healthcare facilities for treatment, when compared to those of the control group. There were no significant differences in the groups regarding the symptoms of fever and sore throat.
Conclusion: Nasal rinsing can be included as part of intervention methods that include vaccination and the use of a face mask. Nasal rinsing can be easily practiced by the pilgrims, since it is a Sunnah act in ablution, which is an integral element of Muslims' daily life.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and factors associated with APOs in the multi-ethnic SLE populations in Malaysia.Methodology: This was a retrospective review of the consecutive SLE patients who attended the outpatient clinic in two major rheumatology centres from January 2016 until December 2019 with complete pre-pregnancy, antenatal and intra-partum records. APOs include pregnancy loss, prematurity, pre-eclampsia, intra-uterine growth restriction (IUGR) and maternal death. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression with generalised estimating equation (GEE) analyses were performed to determine the factors associated with APOs.
RESULTS: A total of 153 patients with 240 pregnancies were included and the majority of the patients were Malay (69.9%), followed by Chinese (24.2%) and Indian (5.9%). The prevalence of APOs was 61.7% with the commonest complication being prematurity (28.3%), followed by pregnancy loss (24.6%) and pre-eclampsia (21.8%). Logistic regression model-based GEE analysis revealed that the independent predictors of APOs were active haematological system during pregnancy, pre-pregnancy active disease, Indian patients and positive lupus anticoagulant. Hydroxychloroquine use was associated with lower APOs including pre-eclampsia, prematurity and IUGR in the univariate analyses but it was no longer significant in the GEE analysis.
CONCLUSION: The prevalence of APOs was high particularly among the Indian patients. Positive lupus anticoagulant and pre-pregnancy active disease were the factors strongly associated with APOs in our multi-ethnic cohort. Hydroxychloroquine may protect against APOs but further larger studies are needed to confirm this.
METHOD AND ANALYSIS: We will conduct a systematic review of randomised controlled trials that investigate the effect and safety of GO for the treatment of patients with AML. We will search for any eligible articles from selected electronic databases. We will follow the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis for study selection and reporting. We will use The Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions and Meta-Analysis as guidance to select eligible studies. All data will be extracted using a standardised data extraction form.
ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: There was no patient involved in this study, therefore no ethical consideration is needed. The findings of this study will be disseminated in a peer-reviewed journal and any relevant conference presentation.
PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42019123286.
METHODS: This was a two-centre randomised controlled trial of CI versus IB dosing of beta-lactam antibiotics, which enrolled critically ill participants with severe sepsis who were not on renal replacement therapy (RRT). The primary outcome was clinical cure at 14 days after antibiotic cessation. Secondary outcomes were PK/PD target attainment, ICU-free days and ventilator-free days at day 28 post-randomisation, 14- and 30-day survival, and time to white cell count normalisation.
RESULTS: A total of 140 participants were enrolled with 70 participants each allocated to CI and IB dosing. CI participants had higher clinical cure rates (56 versus 34 %, p = 0.011) and higher median ventilator-free days (22 versus 14 days, p MIC than the IB arm on day 1 (97 versus 70 %, p