Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted amongst university students from a Malaysian's public university. A total of 228 students responded to a self-administered questionnaire consisting of items evaluating knowledge and practices of osteoporosis.
RESULTS: The students showed a moderate level of osteoporosis awareness with a score of 63.3%. Male subjects had higher awareness scores of osteoporosis complications compared to female subjects (p= 0.010). Malay (p= 0.002) and Chinese (p= 0.005) had higher levels of osteoporosis awareness compared to Indian students. Coffee and alcohol intakes were significantly different between the sexes (p= 0.013) and the ethnic groups (p= 0.029). Most of the subjects in our study were minimally active (43.9%).
CONCLUSIONS: The students had a reasonable levels of knowledge about osteoporosis, but their health activities to avoid osteoporosis were insufficient. This illustrates the need for educational programmes to improve students' knowledge and awareness for successful osteoporosis prevention.
Methods: Participants were selected via stratified sampling. Participants completed an online questionnaire comprising demographic details and the Health Professional Stress Inventory. Scores on each domain and the aggregate scores were compared between physicians in public and private hospitals using a univariate analysis adjusted for potential confounders.
Results: The overall stress level between physicians in public and private hospitals was similar. However, physicians in private hospitals experienced a higher stress level related to patient care responsibilities and professional uncertainty as compared to those in public hospitals.
Conclusion: Physicians from private hospitals experience stress in different aspects of their profession as compared to physicians in public hospitals, especially with reference to patient care and career uncertainty. Measures should be taken to relieve the stress of physicians and thus improve their wellbeing.
Methods: A total of 101 currently enrolled pre-university students were recruited for this cross-sectional study. They answered a questionnaire about their demographic details and their frequency of backpack usage. Their backpacks were weighed for four consecutive school days. The Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire and Body Discomfort Chart were used to rate discomfort levels.
Results: The use and weight of a backpack were not significantly associated with low back pain, as indicated by the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire and Body Discomfort Chart (p > 0.05).
Conclusion: This study did not find an association between the use of a backpack and low back pain in Malaysian pre-university students.
METHODS: This cross-sectional study recruited 309 free living Chinese and Malay men aged 40 years and above residing in Klang Valley, Malaysia. Their demographic and anthropometric data were collected. Their calcaneal speed of sound (SOS) was measured using a CM-200 bone ultrasonometer. Their blood was collected for the evaluation of lipid profile, total testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin. The joint interim MS definition was used for the classification of subjects. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to assess the association between SOS and indicators of MS and the presence of MS, with suitable adjustment for confounders.
RESULTS: There was no significant difference in SOS value between MS and non-MS subjects (p > 0.05). The SOS values among subjects with different MS scores did not differ significantly (p > 0.05). There were no significant associations between SOS values and indicators of MS or the presence of MS (p > 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: The relationship between bone health and MS is not significant in Malaysian middle-aged and elderly men. A longitudinal study should be conducted to evaluate the association between bone loss and MS to confirm this finding.
HIGHLIGHT: This review aimed to summarize the preclinical and clinical findings on the effects of vitamin E on periodontitis. The current literature suggests that vitamin E could improve the periodontal status by correcting redox status imbalance, reducing inflammatory responses, and promoting wound healing, thus highlighting the potential of vitamin E in the management of periodontitis.
CONCLUSION: Direct evidence for the use of vitamin E supplementation or treatment of periodontitis in humans is still limited. More well-designed and controlled studies are required to ascertain its effectiveness.