MyMedR

Fulltext Trends in absenteeism rates following psychological intervention-preliminary results

Saroja KI, Ramphal KG, Kasmini K, Ainsah O, Bakar OC

Singapore Med J, 1999 May;40(5):349-51.

To determine the relationship between absenteeism rates and psychological intervention over a 6-month period in an agency with 334 employees in Klang Valley, Malaysia, which had the highest absenteeism rates.

Fulltext Treatment of small cell lung cancer with cyclophosphamide, adriamycin and vincristine (CAV) combination therapy: experience at University Hospital, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Lee SM

Singapore Med J, 1990 Aug;31(4):317-20.

PMID: 2175049

Seventeen patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) were treated with cyclophosphamide, adriamycin and vincristine (CAV) combination chemotherapy. The overall response rate was 76.5% with 47% achieving complete response and 29.5% partial response. In limited and extensive stage disease, complete response was achieved in 67% and 36.5% respectively. Chinese were the predominant ethnic group affected (82%). Six patients presenting with superior vena cava obstruction responded significantly to CAV chemotherapy alone. Median survival for patients with extensive disease was 7.4 months. All patients with limited disease were still alive. Two relapsed patients with limited disease achieved significant response to VP-16/Cisplatin combination chemotherapy.

Fulltext Traumatic posterior rotatory fracture-dislocation of lumbo-sacral spine

Mukundala VV, Lim HH

Singapore Med J, 2001 Feb;42(2):82-4.

PMID: 11358198

Fracture-dislocation of the lumbo-sacral spine was an unusual injury and was divided into anterior, posterior and lateral types depending on the displacement of the cephalad portion of the spine over the caudal portion. According to the authors' knowledge, only 31 cases of traumatic fracture-dislocation of the lumbo-sacral spine were reported in the English literature. Only 3 previous reports referred to this injury with a posterior displacement, which was an even rarer injury. This was the fourth report of this type of injury.

Fulltext Transverse myelopathy following intrathecal administration of chemotherapy

Teh HS, Fadilah SA, Leong CF

Singapore Med J, 2007 Feb;48(2):e46-9.

PMID: 17304378

Transverse myelopathy is one of the rare complications following administration of intrathecal chemotherapy. We report two cases of transverse myelopathy following administration of intrathecal methotrexate and cytarabine arabinoside. One patient was a 17-year-old Malay man who had lymphoblastic lymphoma in the leukaemic phase, while the other patient was a 40-year-old Malay man with relapsed Hodgkin's lymphoma. Both cases demonstrated variability in onset of symptoms, clinical progression and final outcome from the complication.

Fulltext Transient severe myocarditis and intraventricular thrombus associated with SARS-CoV-2 vaccination

Loch A, Siew KSW, Tan KL, Azman Bin Raja Aman RRAB

Singapore Med J, 2023 Jun;64(6):366-372.

PMID: 35509213 DOI: 10.11622/smedj.2022042

Fulltext Training of occupational safety and health: knowledge among healthcare professionals in Malaysia

Lugah V, Ganesh B, Darus A, Retneswari M, Rosnawati MR, Sujatha D

Singapore Med J, 2010 Jul;51(7):586-92.

PMID: 20730400

Awareness of occupational safety and health (OSH) plays an important role in the prevention of occupational injuries and diseases. Following the enactment of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) in 1994, various programmes have been implemented by different agencies to increase awareness and knowledge of OSH in the workplace, including among healthcare workers. The objective of this study was to determine the level of OSH awareness and knowledge among healthcare professionals in Malaysia.

Fulltext Toxic epidermal necrolysis in Malaysian adults. A retrospective study

Ting HC, Adam BA

Singapore Med J, 1985 Oct;26(6):456-9.

PMID: 2937150

We report a retrospective study of all cases of toxic epidermal necrolysis admitted to the adult medical wards of the University Hospital in Kuala Lumpur over a 16 year period from 1967 to 1983. Over this period of time only 7 cases were encountered, suggesting the condition is rare in adults in our country. All the cases were females and the age ranged from 21 to 41 years. Four cases were due to drugs, 2 were idiopathic and one was attributed to Staphylococcal infection. One patient died. The other patients recovered completely with no sequelae.

Fulltext Torsade de pointes and syncopal attacks in a 26-year old woman with congenital complete heart block and prolonged QT interval

Quek DK, Ong SB

Singapore Med J, 1990 Apr;31(2):185-8.

PMID: 2371586

A 26-year old woman with congenital complete heart block and prolonged QT interval presented for the first time with syncopal attacks associated with torsade de pointes in adulthood. Cardioversion followed by overdrive pacing was needed to finally control the unstable rhythm. During episodes of non-capture, paraoxysms of torsade de pointes leading to ventricular flutter were recorded by a 24-hour ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring. Beta-blockade and permanent ventricular pacing finally abolished both the syncopal attacks and the torsade phenomena. The prognosis of congenital complete heart block associated with QT prolongation resembles that of the Romano-Ward syndrome. Recognition of this variant would facilitate earlier treatment of this rare but potentially lethal disorder.

Fulltext Torsade de pointes and sudden death associated with diabetic autonomic diarrhoea--a case report

Quek DK, H'ng PK

Singapore Med J, 1993 Jun;34(3):266-70.

PMID: 8266190

A 68-year-old diabetic and hypertensive woman presented with chronic autonomic diarrhoea, syncope and palpitations which were associated with QT prolongation and recurrent episodes of torsade de pointes. She was on glibenclamide, indapamide and probucol (for type V hyperlipidaemia). Despite intravenous infusions of potassium, lignocaine and amiodarone, the unstable rhythm persisted. However, intravenous magnesium sulphate with small doses of intravenous propranolol terminated the torsade de pointes. She was stabilised but following discharge she relapsed, and upon re-admission, succumbed to intractable ventricular fibrillation. Early recognition and aggressive treatment of this condition is emphasised. Multiple aggravating factors ie autonomic diarrhoea resulting in severe potassium and magnesium depletion, kaliuretic effect of indapamide, probable QT prolongation associated with diabetic autonomic neuropathy and probucol; probable underlying coronary artery disease and heightened emotional and sympathetic discharge could have contributed to this very unstable ventricular arrhythmia and sudden death.

Fulltext Topical nasal anaesthesia for fibreoptic bronchoscopy: lignocaine spray or gel?

Zainudin BM, Rafia MH, Sufarlan AW

Singapore Med J, 1993 Apr;34(2):148-9.

PMID: 8266157

Lignocaine spray for anaesthetising the nasal mucosa for fibreoptic bronchoscopy often causes discomfort to the patient. We compared two techniques of applying nasal topical anaesthesia using either lignocaine spray (group A: 25 patients) or gel (group B: 30 patients) to assess patients' tolerance to the procedure. Both groups received 100 mg of lignocaine in the nostril, 40-50 mg to oropharynx, 120 mg to vocal cords and 40-100 mg to trachea and bronchi. Throat anaesthesia was the most common unpleasant part experienced by both groups of patients (34.5%), followed by examination of bronchi (30.6%) and nasal anaesthesia (21.8%). Significantly more patients in group A experienced discomfort or pain during nasal anaesthesia as compared to group B (p < 0.001). Patients' tolerance to the bronchoscopy was similar in both groups and the examination was performed satisfactorily in all patients. Thus, lignocaine gel is a simple technique, effective and less irritating as compared to lignocaine spray for topical nasal anaesthesia.

Fulltext Timing and predictive factors of developing chronic kidney disease in childhood-onset idiopathic nephrotic syndrome: an Asian experience

Mohd Idris SS, Nasir A, Nik Ismail NZA, Rostenberghe HAV, Ilias MI

Singapore Med J, 2020 Sep;61(9):483-486.

PMID: 31489435 DOI: 10.11622/smedj.2019096

INTRODUCTION: Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) is the commonest type of nephrotic syndrome in children, and a majority of cases have favourable outcomes. A small proportion of INS cases progress to chronic kidney disease (CKD). We investigated the time to CKD and predictive risk factors associated with progression of CKD in these children.

METHODS: A retrospective review of medical records was done to investigate the demographic variables, and biochemical and histological changes in children with INS aged 12 months to 18 years between 2001 and 2016 at Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia. The median renal survival time for progression to CKD stage III or higher was determined using survival curve analysis. Multiple Cox regression analysis was used to identify predictive factors for CKD.

RESULTS: The total number of participants was 112 (boys: n = 71; girls: n = 41) and a majority had steroid-sensitive INS. Only about 10% of INS progressed to CKD Stage III or higher, with an overall median renal survival time of 19 years. Median renal survival time in steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) was 13 years. Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis was predominant in SRNS. The predictors of progression to CKD were steroid resistance (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] [95% confidence interval (CI)] 23.8 [2.8-200.9]) and the presence of hypertension at presentation (adjusted HR [95% CI] 8.1 [1.2-55.7]).

CONCLUSION: The median renal survival time in our study was comparable to other studies. SRNS and the presence of hypertension at presentation were the main predictors for developing CKD in our population.

Fulltext Thyrotoxicosis in pregnancy--a six year review

Lim BH, Raman S, Sivanesaratnam V, Ngan A

Singapore Med J, 1989 Dec;30(6):539-41.

PMID: 2635396

Twenty eight patients with hyperthyroidism complicating their pregnancies were seen at the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department, University Hospital, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in a six-year period. All patients were treated with antithyroid drugs, carbimazole being the mainstay of treatment. The incidence of the disease was 0.9 per 1000 births and was similar with other series. No cases of fetal goitre were noted. The mean birth weight was 2952 g; there was no significant difference in the birth weight of term live births in patients treated with carbimazole alone or carbimazole combined with propranolol.

Fulltext Thyroid malignancy among goitrous thyroid lesions: a review of hospital-based studies in Malaysia and Myanmar

Htwe TT

Singapore Med J, 2012 Mar;53(3):159-63.

PMID: 22434287

Endemic goitre is a major concern in many parts of the world, including Southeast Asia. Goitrous thyroid lesion is postulated as a precursor lesion to thyroid cancer (TC). This paper reviews the prevalence rates and characteristics of TC among cases of goitrous thyroid-swelling in different parts of Malaysia and Myanmar. Recorded data from hospital-based retrospective studies of thyroid cases, whose study periods ranged from three to 11 years, were analysed. These included research findings from the author's publications as well as other published review articles of retrospective analyses. The incidence of TC varies among gender, age, race/ethnicity and histological type. There appears to be a higher rate of occurrence among females aged 21-60 years. Papillary thyroid carcinoma is the more common histological type compared to follicular cancer. This review also presents a descriptive analysis and discussion on studies conducted in other countries. Further exploration is warranted in order to uncover the possible risk factors for the rising incidence of TC.

Fulltext Thyroglossal duct carcinoma

Kahairi A, Ahmad RL, Wan Islah L, Hasmah H

Singapore Med J, 2009 Dec;50(12):e404-6.

PMID: 20087540

We report a 56-year-old Malay woman with a tumour that involved the skin and caused hyoid bone erosion. There was no clinical or radiological evidence of regional lymph node involvement. A modified radical neck dissection with preservation of the accessory nerve and internal jugular vein was performed, followed by an "extended" Sistrunk operation. The surgical defect was reconstructed with a pectoralis major myocutaneous flap. Our literature review showed that this is the first reported thyroglossal duct carcinoma which involved the skin and required a pedicle flap reconstruction.

Fulltext Thrombolytic failure with streptokinase in acute myocardial infarction using electrocardiogram criteria

Lee YY, Tee MH, Zurkurnai Y, Than W, Sapawi M, Suhairi I

Singapore Med J, 2008 Apr;49(4):304-10.

PMID: 18418522

This study was primarily aimed to determine the failure rate of thrombolysis with streptokinase in acute myocardial infarction using electrocardiogram criteria and its association between various independent variables and outcome parameters.

Fulltext Three cases of permanent neonatal diabetes mellitus: genotypes and management outcome

Ooi HL, Wu LL

Singapore Med J, 2012 Jul;53(7):e142-4.

PMID: 22815030

Neonatal diabetes mellitus (DM) is defined as insulin-requiring DM in the first six months of life. Unlike type 1 DM, it is a monogenic disorder resulting from a de novo mutation in the genes involved in the development of the pancreas, β-cell mass or secretory function. The majority of neonatal DM cases are caused by a heterozygous activating mutation in the KCNJ11 or ABCC8 genes that encode the Kir6.2 and SUR1 protein subunits, respectively, in the KATP channel. Sulphonylurea, a KATP channel inhibitor, can restore insulin secretion, hence offering an attractive alternative to insulin therapy. We report three cases of neonatal DM and their genetic mutations. Two patients were successfully switched over to sulphonylurea monotherapy with resultant improvement in the quality of life and a more stable blood glucose profile. Patients with neonatal DM should undergo genetic evaluation. For patients with KCNJ11 and ABCC8 gene mutation, oral sulphonylurea should be considered.

Fulltext The value of routine chest radiographs in acute asthma admissions

Ismail Y, Loo CS, Zahary MK

Singapore Med J, 1994 Apr;35(2):171-2.

PMID: 7939814

We reviewed 116 chest radiographs done in 70 adult asthmatic patients who were admitted to the Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia from January to December 1989. The chest radiographs were abnormal in 23% of cases. Twelve percent showed hyperinflation and 7% had pneumonia. Eight patients diagnosed clinically to have pneumonia had normal chest radiographs. Seven patients had radiographic findings of conditions which were unsuspected clinically. These included two cases of pneumonia, one case each of fibrosing alveolitis, pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, mitral stenosis with left ventricular failure and right pleural effusion. In conclusion, we found that significant chest radiograph abnormalities in adult patients admitted for asthma were uncommon although chest radiographs were helpful in detecting complications or coincidental conditions. Chest radiograph is therefore an important investigation in adult asthmatic patients who are admitted. However, considering the cost and the risk of radiation, it should be done only in selective cases rather than as a routine procedure.
Study site: Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia

Fulltext The usefulness of early ultrasonography, electroencephalography and clinical parameters in predicting adverse outcomes in asphyxiated term infants

Ong LC, Kanaheswari Y, Chandran V, Rohana J, Yong SC, Boo NY

Singapore Med J, 2009 Jul;50(7):705-9.

PMID: 19644627

The early identification of asphyxiated infants at high risk of adverse outcomes and the early selection of those who might benefit from neuroprotective therapies are required. A prospective observational study was conducted to determine if there were any early clinical, neuroimaging or neurophysiological parameters that might predict the outcome in term newborns with asphyxia.

Fulltext The use of tutorials as a basis for teaching in a peripheral training hospital

Kam CA

Singapore Med J, 1978 Jun;19(2):106-8.

PMID: 751183

A system of tutorials preparing students for the Primary F.F.A.R.A.C.S. examination is described. It is suggested that this system would be suitable for teaching students in a peripheral training hospital.

Fulltext The use of an in-house modified double antibody sandwich ELISA to detect Aspergillus antigens in sera of immunosuppressed patients

Samad SA, Rahman HA

Singapore Med J, 1999 Aug;40(8):513-8.

PMID: 10572490

The purpose of this study was to retrospectively detect Aspergillus antigens in sera obtained from immunocompromised host using an in-house modified double antibody sandwich ELISA.

Displaying publications 61 - 80 of 927 in total