MyMedR

Fulltext Use of expansion factors to estimate the burden of dengue in Southeast Asia: a systematic analysis

Undurraga EA, Halasa YA, Shepard DS

PLoS Negl Trop Dis, 2013;7(2):e2056.

PMID: 23437407 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0002056

BACKGROUND: Dengue virus infection is the most common arthropod-borne disease of humans and its geographical range and infection rates are increasing. Health policy decisions require information about the disease burden, but surveillance systems usually underreport the total number of cases. These may be estimated by multiplying reported cases by an expansion factor (EF).

METHODS AND FINDINGS: As a key step to estimate the economic and disease burden of dengue in Southeast Asia (SEA), we projected dengue cases from 2001 through 2010 using EFs. We conducted a systematic literature review (1995-2011) and identified 11 published articles reporting original, empirically derived EFs or the necessary data, and 11 additional relevant studies. To estimate EFs for total cases in countries where no empirical studies were available, we extrapolated data based on the statistically significant inverse relationship between an index of a country's health system quality and its observed reporting rate. We compiled an average 386,000 dengue episodes reported annually to surveillance systems in the region, and projected about 2.92 million dengue episodes. We conducted a probabilistic sensitivity analysis, simultaneously varying the most important parameters in 20,000 Monte Carlo simulations, and derived 95% certainty level of 2.73-3.38 million dengue episodes. We estimated an overall EF in SEA of 7.6 (95% certainty level: 7.0-8.8) dengue cases for every case reported, with an EF range of 3.8 for Malaysia to 19.0 in East Timor.

CONCLUSION: Studies that make no adjustment for underreporting would seriously understate the burden and cost of dengue in SEA and elsewhere. As the sites of the empirical studies we identified were not randomly chosen, the exact extent of underreporting remains uncertain. Nevertheless, the results reported here, based on a systematic analysis of the available literature, show general consistency and provide a reasonable empirical basis to adjust for underreporting.

Matched MeSH terms: Disease Notification/statistics & numerical data

Fulltext Taking stock of two decades of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Malaysia

Kamarulzaman A

Med J Malaysia, 2005 Mar;60(1):1-4.

PMID: 16250272

Matched MeSH terms: Disease Outbreaks*

Chronic pancreatitis: aetiology, epidemiology and clinical presentation

Goh KL

Med J Malaysia, 2005 Jul;60 Suppl B:94-8.

PMID: 16108185

Chronic pancreatitis is a difficult disease to treat. Worldwide, alcohol is the most common aetiology but based on recent studies it is clear that genetic susceptibility plays an important role in determining disease. Several important genetic mutations have been identified. The prevalence of chronic pancreatitis appears to be lower in Asia although very high rates have been reported in parts of India. Severe intractable pain is the predominant presenting complaint of patients. The natural history of the disease and the onset of exocrine and endocrine insufficiency depend on the classification of disease as early onset, late-onset or alcohol associated. Complications of chronic pancreatitis are important and include pseudocyst formation, bile duct and duodenal strictures.

Matched MeSH terms: Chronic Disease; Disease Susceptibility

Darier disease: a case report

Jalil AA, Zain RB, van der Waal I

Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg, 2005 Aug;43(4):336-8.

PMID: 15993288

The diagnosis of Darier disease of the oral mucosa was made only after biopsying a leukoplakia-like lesion of the palate.

Matched MeSH terms: Darier Disease/pathology*

Fulltext An epidemiological investigation of an outbreak of leptospirosis associated with swimming, Beaufort, Sabah

Koay TK, Nirmal S, Noitie L, Tan E

Med J Malaysia, 2004 Oct;59(4):455-9.

PMID: 15779577

From October 13 to October 21, 1999, a total of 46 males, aged 8 to 19 years, were admitted to Beaufort Hospital after swimming in the creek near an oil palm plantation in Kampung (Kg) Kebatu, Beaufort. Thirty (30) presented with symptoms including fever, vomiting, bodyache, giddiness, headache, chest pain and cough, while 16 others, were asymptomatic. One, a 15 year old boy, died from haemorrhagic shock secondary to pulmonary haemorrhage. The onset of the illness was from 11 October to 19 October 1999. A case-control study found that the outbreak was associated with swimming in the creek (p<0.0001). A total of 44 paired sera samples were sent for microscopic agglutination test (MAT), 5 pairs showed sero-conversion, 3 pairs had 4 fold rise in titre and 18 pairs were positive at >320. The findings indicated that Leptospirosis was the cause of the outbreak of this illness and the contaminated creek water was the source of the infection. The occurrence of flooding and stagnation in the creek following the heavy rainfall during the first week of October 1999 could have contributed to the timing of the outbreak.

Matched MeSH terms: Disease Outbreaks*

Letter regarding "CD95 rs1800682 polymorphism and cervical cancer risk: evidence from a meta-analysis" by Zhang et al

Tan SC

Tumour Biol., 2015 Nov;36(11):8275-6.

PMID: 26515334 DOI: 10.1007/s13277-015-4330-1

Matched MeSH terms: Genetic Predisposition to Disease/genetics*

Interpretation of mushroom as a common therapeutic agent for Alzheimer's disease and cardiovascular diseases

Rahman MA, Abdullah N, Aminudin N

Crit Rev Biotechnol, 2016 Dec;36(6):1131-1142.

PMID: 26514091

Alzheimer's disease (AD) and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) share common etiology and preventive strategies. As the population of old-aged people is increasing worldwide, AD complications tend to afflict global healthcare budget and economy heavily. CVD is the prime cause of global mortality and remains a grave threat to both the developed and the developing nations. Mushroom bio-components may be promising in controlling both diseases. Based mainly on in vitro, ex vivo, cell line and animal studies, this review interprets the polypharmaceutic role of mushrooms treating AD and CVD.

Matched MeSH terms: Alzheimer Disease/therapy*

Population screening in Asia: A unique opportunity to enhance early detection of psychosis?

Woodberry KA

Asian J Psychiatr, 2015 Dec;18:97-8.

PMID: 26498721 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2015.09.005

A recent article in this journal (Razali et al., 2015) reports the results of a 2-stage study screening for psychosis risk in Malaysia. The researchers incorporated both selective and indicated prevention strategies and included self-report items probing non-specific "early" experiences as well as attenuated psychotic symptoms associated with the prodromal phase of schizophrenia. Given that increased stigma and reduced services may reduce help-seeking in many Asian countries, population screening may be more important to early detection of individuals at risk for psychosis. In fact, the availability of large population centers and greater trust of providers may make Asian research centers uniquely suited for conducting badly needed research on screening strategies and the role of cultural factors in the emergence of psychosis.

Matched MeSH terms: Disease Progression*

Brain biometals and Alzheimer's disease - boon or bane?

Prakash A, Dhaliwal GK, Kumar P, Majeed AB

Int J Neurosci, 2017 Feb;127(2):99-108.

PMID: 27044501

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia. Several hypotheses have been put forward to explain the basis of disease onset and progression. A complicated array of molecular events has been implicated in the pathogenesis of AD. It is attributed to a variety of pathological conditions that share similar critical processes, such as oxidative stress, proteinaceous aggregations, mitochondrial dysfunctions and energy failure. There is increasing evidence suggesting that metal homeostasis is dysregulated in the pathology of AD. Biometals play an important role in the normal body functioning but AD may be mediated or triggered by disproportion of metal ions leading to changes in critical biological systems and initiating a cascade of events finally leading to neurodegeneration and cell death. The link is multifactorial, and although the source of the shift in oxidative homeostasis is still unclear, current evidence points to changes in the balance of redox transition metals, especially iron, copper (Cu) and other trace metals. Their levels in the brain are found to be elevated in AD. In other neurodegenerative disorders, Cu, zinc, aluminum and manganese are involved. This paper is a review of recent advances of the role of metals in the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of AD and related neurodegenerative diseases.

Matched MeSH terms: Alzheimer Disease/pathology*

Fulltext Stomach trichobezoar (rapunzel syndrome) with iatrogenic intussusception

Yik YI, How AK

Med J Malaysia, 2016 04;71(2):74-6.

PMID: 27326947 MyJurnal

We present a rare case of stomach trichobezoar complicated with iatrogenic intussusception noted intra-operatively after failed attempt of endoscopic removal in a 13-year-old girl. At presentation, she had gastric outlet obstruction with anaemia. Endoscopy established the diagnosis of trichobezoar. Surgical removal was warranted after failed endoscopic removal. Her postoperative course was uneventful. Detailed history and careful examination disclosed trichotillomania and associated trichophagia. Psychiatric referral was sought with the intention to prevent future recurrence.

Matched MeSH terms: Iatrogenic Disease*

A novel approach for collecting samples from fruit bats for isolation of infectious agents

Chua KB

Microbes Infect., 2003 May;5(6):487-90.

PMID: 12758277

During the outbreak of Nipah virus encephalitis involving pigs and humans in peninsular Malaysia in 1998/1999, a conventional approach was initially undertaken to collect specimens from fruit bats by mist-netting and shooting, as an integral part of wildlife surveillance of the natural reservoir host of Nipah virus. This study describes a novel method of collecting fruit bats' urine samples using plastic sheets for isolation of Nipah virus. This novel approach resulted in the isolation of several other known and unidentified infectious agents besides Nipah virus.

Matched MeSH terms: Disease Reservoirs/veterinary

Outbreak of Japanese encephalitis hits Malaysia

Easton A

BMJ, 1999 Apr 03;318(7188):893.

PMID: 10102839 DOI: 10.1136/bmj.318.7188.893a

Matched MeSH terms: Disease Outbreaks; Disease Reservoirs

From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Outbreak of acute febrile illness among participants in EcoChallenge Sabah 2000--Malaysia, 2000

JAMA, 2000 Oct 4;284(13):1646.

PMID: 11041742

Matched MeSH terms: Disease Outbreaks*

Fulltext Rabies raises its ugly head once more

Lim KG

Med J Malaysia, 1998 Mar;53(1):4-5.

PMID: 10968129

Matched MeSH terms: Disease Outbreaks*

Hookworms in dogs of Kuching, Sarawak (north Borneo)

Choo J, Pang E, Prociv P

Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg, 2000 4 5;94(1):21-2.

PMID: 10748891

Matched MeSH terms: Disease Vectors*

Fulltext Enzyme replacement therapy for Gaucher Disease: the only experience in Malaysia

Chan LL, Lin HP

Med J Malaysia, 2002 Sep;57(3):348-52.

PMID: 12440275 MyJurnal

Gaucher Disease may now be treated with enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) or bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Both have their advantages and disadvantages. Results with BMT are curative when successful but limited by the scarcity of an appropriate donor. ERT offers very good relief of symptoms but treatment is lifelong and cost of treatment exorbitant. Patients in developing countries are particularly disadvantaged and management remains a dilemma for both doctor and patient.

Matched MeSH terms: Gaucher Disease/drug therapy*

Fulltext Iatrogenic instability of the lumbar spine

Sivananthan KS

Med J Malaysia, 2001 Jun;56 Suppl C:1-2.

PMID: 11814241

Matched MeSH terms: Iatrogenic Disease*

Extramammary Paget's disease presenting as condylomata lata

Mohammed KN

Int J STD AIDS, 1993 Jul-Aug;4(4):242-3.

PMID: 8399509

Matched MeSH terms: Paget Disease, Extramammary/pathology*

Fulltext An appraisal of the nutritional and health aspects of palm oil

Chandrasekharan N

Med J Malaysia, 1992 Jun;47(2):93-7.

PMID: 1494339

Matched MeSH terms: Coronary Disease/prevention & control

A computer model of health status and costs in national health planning

Spohr MH, Wright NH, Herm J

Medinfo, 1995;8 Pt 2:1639.

PMID: 8591525

We developed a computer model which measures the impact of disease on a population, has the ability to track changes in disease incidence over time, and incorporates costs of disease prevention and treatment. This model was developed with data for Malaysia and used by the Ministry of Health in the development of their national health plan. The model uses the DHLL (DALY) measure which incorporates morbidity and mortality impacts of disease. The ability of the model to adjust for changes in disease incidence over a period of years allows health planners to accurately reflect demographic and development related changes in disease incidence. This model is of value to health planners because in incorporates information on population health status, costs of prevention and treatment, and changes in health status over time. It produces an evaluation of the cost effectiveness of possible interventions that can be used by health planners in making decisions on resource allocation.

Matched MeSH terms: Disease/economics

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