Displaying publications 81 - 100 of 154 in total

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  1. Abdul Hamid Abdul Rahman, Shamsul Azhar Shah, Normala Ibrahim
    ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry, 2009;10(2):157-168.
    MyJurnal
    Objective: The study aims to determine pattern of verbal memory and learning impairment and its associated factors among patients with bipolar I disorder in a psychiatric clinic of a university hospital. Methods: A case control study comparing verbal memory test
    performance in 40 patients with bipolar I disorder to that of 40 healthy normal subjects using Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT). The association between demographic, clinical
    characteristics and poor verbal memory performance were examined. Results: Up to 92% of patients with bipolar I disorder have impaired short term working memory in this hospital-based study. They also recalled fewer words in all the RAVLT trials and had difficulties
    learning the word list in comparison to that of normal healthy individuals. Verbal memory and learning impairment are observed in bipolar illness in the absence of active mood symptoms while duration and severity of illness are not found to have any effect on verbal memory and learning. Conclusion: There is consistent verbal memory and learning problems in individuals with bipolar I disorder and their presence in the absence of mania, depression and mixed symptoms during the course of the illness suggests a trait related deficit.

    Study site: Psychiatric Clinic, Pusat Perubatan Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (PPUKM)
  2. Norzila Zakaria, Mohd Jamil Yaacob, Hans, Van Rostenberghe
    ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry, 2009;10(2):199-201.
    MyJurnal
    Objective: To report the use of Paliperidone in an adolescent with bipolar disorder primarily concerning its effectiveness and safety. Method: We present a case report of an adolescent with atypical presentation of bipolar disorder. The problem was complicated by poor liver function and poor compliance. Progress of the patient was recorded. Results: The patient showed dramatic improvement after 2 weeks on Paliperidone and has achieved the best level of functioning after almost 4 years on other treatment. Conclusion: The usage of Paliperidone was effective and safe in an adolescent with atypical bipolar disorder.
  3. Rusdi Abdul Rashid, Muhammad Muhsin Ahmad Zahari, Mohammad Hussain Habil, Noor Zurani Md Haris Robson
    ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry, 2009;10(2):202-209.
    MyJurnal
    Objective: The smoking rate among patients with mental health problem is higher than in the general population. Effective pharmacotherapy to treat nicotine addiction is thus needed to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with cigarette smoking among these patients. This article reviews the literature on the suitability of varenicline for smokers with mental health problems.
    Methods: A search of the literature was conducted using PubMed from year 2001 to July 2009 using key words varenicline alone and varenicline and mental health. Articles chosen were narrowed to those published in English. The type of articles chosen included clinical trials, metaanalyses, case reports, and review articles.
    Results: The search produced a total of 322 articles on varenicline and 14 articles on varenicline and mental health. Varenicline, a new drug for smoking cessation is an α4β2 partial agonist and partial antagonist at nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. As a partial agonist, varenicline relieves craving and withdrawal symptoms that occur during smoking abstinence and also reduce the rewarding effects of smoking in patients who relapse. However, at present, there is concern regarding the neuropsychiatric side effects such as aggressive behaviour, suicidal ideation, mania and depression associated with varenicline use in patients with mental health problems, but these reports did not show a causal-link or lack of link between these symptoms and varenicline.
    Conclusion: Current available data support the effectiveness of varenicline to treat nicotine dependence. However its safety among smokers with mental health problems remains to be elucidated. At present, further safety assessment is needed in this patient population. Until new data is available regarding the safety of varenicline in these populations, psychiatrists and physicians prescribing this medication should be extra cautious and monitor for possible psychiatric side effects when prescribing this medication to patients with pre-existing psychiatric disorders or have vulnerability to psychoses.
  4. Zahiruddin Othman, Muhammad Najib Muhammad Alwi, Kamarul Imran Musa, Muhammad Najib Muhammad Alwi, Ruzita Jamaluddin
    ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry, 2009;10(1):54-74.
    MyJurnal
    Objective: Many studies have emphasized the significance of verbal memory for the functional outcome in schizophrenia. A preserved capability to encode and recall verbal information is essential for the long-term efficacy of psychoeducational programs and other
    psychological intervention to ensure the successful transfer of newly acquired skills or knowledge into everyday life. Aims of this study aimed to validate the MVALT among schizophrenia patients in HUSM. Methods: The subjects were 15 schizophrenia patients
    conveniently selected from the patients that attended follow up at the psychiatry clinic in HUSM or inpatients who have been admitted during the study period and 15 healthy control subjects as a comparison. Reliability and validity of the MVAVLT were analyzed. Results: The validation study showed that the Malay version Auditory Verbal Learning Test (MVAVLT) had a good validity (factor analysis 0.66 to 0.98) and test-retest reliability (pearson correlation ranged from 0.24 to 0.84) and has been shown to be sensitive in
    discriminating between normal and schizophrenia patients. In line with the previous research, the schizophrenia patients performed significantly worse than healthy control in all indexes measured in MVAVLT. Conclusion: The screening of deficits in verbal learning
    and memory among the schizophrenia patients is important, for early detection and treatment since it can be helpful for clinicians and psychologists in their counseling sessions. Subsequently, it helps patients to reduce such cognitive difficulties and their impact by using specific rehabilitation with the usage of newer antipsychotic agents.
  5. Mohamed Hatta Shaharom
    ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry, 2009;10(1):83-88.
    MyJurnal
    This is a personal experience with MERCY Malaysia’s Team 7 during its sixday sojourn in Gaza immediately after the 22-day war. It was a mission cut short. We were asked to evacuate as Israel intensified its shelling. This paper is divided into two main parts: First, my observations as a psychiatrist and humanitarian volunteer; and second, a plan for a psychosocial programme in
    Gaza.
  6. Rosdinom Razali, Hatta Sidi
    ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry, 2009;10(1):89-94.
    MyJurnal
    This is a model answer of Critical Review paper for Malaysian postgraduate examination in psychiatry. This model answer was used for marking the review paper for Master of Medicine (Psychiatry) and Master of Psychological Medicine, May 2009.
  7. Marhani Midin, Reddy, Jaya Prakash, Nik Ruzyanei Nik Jaafar
    ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry, 2009;10(1):95-98.
    MyJurnal
    Objective: This is a case report discussing the comorbidity of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and schizophrenia. Such clinical phenomenon merits recognition as a distinct subgroup of schizophrenia with unique challenges and treatment needs. Method: A case report presenting schizophrenia with preceding obsessive-compulsive disorder over five years. Results: This report describes the clinical course and treatment challenges of a patient with obsessive compulsive schizophrenia (OCS). Conclusion: This case illustrates that OCS is a complex disorder with atypical clinical characteristics. In managing this patient, several clinical dilemmas including diagnostic ambiguity, problems with pharmacotherapy and difficulties in his rehabilitation were highlighted.
  8. Siti Raudzah Ghazali
    ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry, 2014;15(2):220-224.
    MyJurnal
    Objective: The objective of this study was to establish the relationship between symptoms of PTSD and various scores of emotional intelligence scales. This study employed a cross-sectional research design. Participants were recruited from the local community health centre in Dearborn, Michigan, USA. The Child Posttraumatic Stress Reaction Index (CPTS-RI) measured the presence of PTSD symptoms and the Adolescents Multifactor Emotional Intelligence Scale (AMEIS) measured emotional intelligence. Results: The findings suggest an inverse relationship between PTSD severity and emotional intelligence. The PTSD score was negatively correlated with all AMEIS subscales. Two significant negative correlations were found in the tasks of using emotion and understanding emotion. Conclusion: Findings suggest that individuals with severe PTSD symptoms appear to lack the abilities to understand and use emotions. These findings might be useful in identifying factors that may contribute to decreasing the severity of PTSD symptoms of these children. Implications of the findings were discussed, and recommendations for future research are presented. ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry, Vol. 15 (2), July - December 2014: 220-224.
  9. Chang, Teo Yong, Nasir Yusoff, Begum, Tahamina
    ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry, 2015;16(1):75-83.
    MyJurnal
    Objective: Literatures on factors influencing performance of the Stroop interference have been elusive on coping styles. Past investigations of coping influence on Stroop test have been indirect and inconclusive due to variability of multidimensional coping models and application of different Stroop test. The concept of constricted versus flexible or broad cognitive style have linked personality and coping styles to Stroop performance. The objective of this study was to determine the associations of coping styles with Stroop resistance towards interference (Stroop RI) and subsequently determine the predictors of Stroop performance. Methods: This was a cross-sectional community research design study with purposive sampling. In this study, the self-administered Brief COPE inventory questionnaires and Stroop Test were performed among 205 undergraduate medical students. Results: Findings revealed that behavioural disengagement (r=-0.361), dysfunctional coping (r=-0.355), self-blame (r = 0.222), and substance abuse (r = -0.173) showed negative correlation and proven strong association with Stroop RI. Further multiple regression analyses identified behavioural disengagement (R2 = 0.13), and dysfunctional coping (R2 = 0.024) as significant predictors for interference. Conclusion: Coping styles have implication on Stroop test exhibited in varied cognitive styles. Integrating coping styles factor on Stroop test has glimpsed the future direction of other neuropsychological assessment batteries on the importance of profiling individualistic baseline norms. ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry, Vol. 16 (1): January – June 2015: XX XX.
  10. Azlina Wati Nikmat, Syed Hassan Almashoor
    ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry, 2015;16(1):84-94.
    MyJurnal
    Objective: Transition of people with cognitive impairment to nursing home is often an option when their disease progresses and their needs become too complex. The aim of this study was to identify the needs of people with cognitive impairment living in nursing homes and factors associated with higher level of needs.
    Methods: A cross sectional survey involving 110 respondents with cognitive impairment aged ≥60 was carried out. Respondents were assessed using the Short Mini Mental State Examination (SMMSE), Camberwell Assessment of Needs for Elderly (CANE), Barthel Index (BI), Friendship Scale (FS), and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS).
    Results: Respondents with cognitive impairment had a mean of 2.81 (SD=3.72) for unmet needs and 11.95 (SD=3.14) for the met needs, with higher mean suggesting a better outcome measure. The most frequent unmet needs were intimate relationships (66.40%), company (40.00%), and daytime activity (34.50%). Unmet needs were significantly associated with depression, social isolation, and cognitive impairment.
    Conclusion: Most of the needs of people with cognitive impairment in nursing homes were fulfilled, except in social area. Therefore, attention should be given in improving the care system, which emphasizes collaboration between people with cognitive impairment, family members, community, and government in helping to reduce the risk of loneliness in those with cognitive impairment.
  11. Nurul Hazrina Mazlan, Affizal Ahmad
    ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry, 2012;13(2):146-156.
    MyJurnal
    Objectives: The aim of this study is to validate the Malay version of the Aggression Questionnaire (AQ) for the purpose of the future study related to aggression. Furthermore, the study seeks to identify types of aggression hold by the female inmates.

    Methods: A cross-sectional study was designed involving 90 Malaysian female prisoners. The analyses include descriptive analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and reliability testing. After one-week interval, a test-retest was conducted.

    Results: The preliminary analysis confirmed that factor analysis was appropriate for the Malay-translated version of the AQ. The four factors structure was assessed but the factor loadings are remarkable different from the original versions. The total Cronbach's alpha coefficients is very high (α= 0.91). The Pearson's correlation however is low (r = 0.48) but acceptable for the instrument. Reliability of the subscales and the factors were also found satisfactory. Consequently, anger and hostility were identified as the most common types of aggression among the participants, followed by verbal aggression. In contrast, physical aggression was the least scored type of aggression.

    Conclusion: The Malay-translated version of the AQ was found to be valid and reliable to be used in future studies.
  12. Mukhtar F, Abu Bakar AK, Mat Junus M, Awaludin A, Abdul Aziz S, Midin M, et al.
    ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry, 2012;13(2):157-164.
    MyJurnal
    Objective: The MINI International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) is a short, structured diagnostic interview compatible with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV (DSM-IV). It was designed for clinical practice, research in psychiatric, primary care settings and epidemiological surveys. This preliminary study aims to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Malaysian Version of MINI for Major Depressive Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder symptoms criteria only.

    Methods: Six hours of MINI training was given as part of a National Health Morbidity Survey training program for layman interviewers (n=229) and three videos were prepared by an expert psychiatrist for inter-rater reliability purposes. Meanwhile, for validity purposes, the MINI was administered to patients with Major Depressive Disorder (n=30), Generalized Anxiety Disorder (n=20) and to a normal population (n=60), to conform against the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder (DSM-IV) that was administered by psychiatrists.

    Results: Overall the inter-rater reliability was satisfactory (0.67 to 0.85) and the concordance between the MINI’s and expert diagnoses was good, with kappa values of greater than 0.88.

    Conclusions: The Malay version of the MINI is adjusted to the clinical setting and for the assessment of positive cases in a community setting. Modifications were highlighted to correct any identified problems and to improve the reliability of the MINI for future research and clinical use.
  13. Lua, Pei Lin, Nor Khaira Wahida Khairuzzaman, Zariah Abdul Aziz, Foo, Jimmy Lee Kok
    ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry, 2015;16(1):116-126.
    MyJurnal
    Objective: Living with epilepsy imposes great challenges on both patients and their family caregivers but most researchers only explored the impact on patients, with less attention given to family caregivers. Our study intended to explore the needs and problems of epilepsy family caregivers of epilepsy patients encountered during the caregiving process. Methods: Respondents were recruited from the Neurology Clinic of Hospital Sultanah Nur Zahirah (HSNZ), Kuala Terengganu. A semi-structured interview was conducted using openended and broad questions asking about their general experience in caregiving, daily routine activities, caregiving effects, caregiving difficulties and caregivers’ needs. The interviewed data were later transcribed into verbatim before further analysis using the QSR International’s NVivo10 software. Results: Fifteen Malay Muslim family caregivers between the age of 19 and 66 years participated. Most were females (53%), married (67%), with education level at secondary school or equivalent (73%) and were homemakers (40%). In particular, respondents expressed the need for extra support from their family members and experts in terms of physical (care relief), mental, and financial aspects. In addition, the major caregiving problems identified included: (i) emotional disturbances (sad, angry, depressed, and anxious); (ii) care giving challenges (family adjustments, physical burden, psychological burden, and time management); and (iii) financial issues (not working and limited family income). Some advantages in caregiving were also reported. Conclusion: In conclusion, their experiences while taking care of their loved ones in terms of feelings, beliefs and needs exposed the difficulties in caregiving, causing substantial emotional pressure which could later lead to poor quality of caregiving. ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry, Vol. 16 (1): Januray – June 2015: XX XX.

    Study site: Neurology Clinic of Hospital Sultanah Nur Zahirah (HSNZ), Kuala Terengganu.
  14. Arasalingam, Shamini, Ahmad Faizal Shamsuddin, Hatta Sidi, Hjh Rabai'ah Mohd Salleh
    ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry, 2015;16(1):131-134.
    MyJurnal
    Objective: Several cases of suicide attempt by charcoal burning producing CO have been reported in Malaysia. This case report highlights a case of delayed delayed neuropsychiatry sequelae (DNS) in CO poisoning.
    Method: We report a young Chinese homemaker who presented with DNS who was detained in a Malaysian forensic psychiatric ward.
    Results: After approximately two weeks of admission, in a familicide attempt, she had started to exhibit subtle changes in her behaviour, including social withdrawal, impaired memory, and there was lack of emotional distress.
    Conclusion: We report an interesting DNS as one of the two forms of chronic sequelae of CO poisoning, whereas the other type of neuropsychiatric sequelae is the persistently progressive type.
  15. Kaur, Satpal, Nor Zuraida Zainal, Wah, Yun Low, Ramasamy, Ravindran, Sidhu, Jaideep Singh
    ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry, 2014;15(2):186-195.
    MyJurnal
    Objective: Type D personality, tendency trait to experience increased NA (Negative Affect) and SI (Social Inhibition) has been associated with negative psychological conditions linked to heart disease. This study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of the Malay version of Type D personality scale (DS14) among Malaysian patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods: In this cross-sectional study 195 patients diagnosed with CAD were selected from National Heart Institute, Kuala Lumpur. They completed the questionnaire including demographic information and the Malay version of DS14 and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Results: The structural validity, as demonstrated by exploratory factor analysis of the DS14 was acceptable. The Cronbach's α coefficient for the NA and SI subscales were 0.876 and 0.732, respectively. With the standardized cut-off of NA ≥ 10 and SI ≥ 10, 28.2% of the patients with CAD were defined as having a Type D personality. Anxiety was significantly higher among patients with Type D personality. Conclusion: The results indicate that the Type D personality (DS14) questionnaire is a valid and reliable tool in the Malaysian population. The prevalence of Type D personality in Malaysia falls close to what has been found in Western countries, at least for CAD patients. This study indicates also that it is possible to use the DS14 among the Malaysian population in future cross-cultural studies. ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry, Vol. 15 (2): July - December 2014: 186-195.
  16. Siti Rohana Abdul Hadi, Suriati Mohamed Saini, Aida Harlina Abdul Razak, Marhani Midin
    ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry, 2014;15(2):217-219.
    MyJurnal
    Objective: This case report highlights the psychosocial complications of chronic mania in a mother and the role of CMHT in improving the condition’s outcome. Methods: We report a case of a Malay mother who had underlying chronic mania for 20 years. Results: She was aggressive and abusive towards her children causing tremendous trauma in them, had lost her child custody and almost lost her husband to another woman. Lithium with multiple psychosocial interventions delivered to the patient and her family had improved her mood symptoms significantly and improved the family’s quality of life. Conclusion: Chronic mania causes tremendously high illness burdens, and with extra care, the outcome of the condition can be improved. ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry, Vol. 15 (2): July - December 2014: 217-219.
  17. Pei, Lin Lua, Norhayati Mustapha
    ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry, 2012;13(2):197-217.
    MyJurnal
    encountered particularly in mental health issues and to additionally analyze the methodologies used in studies involving HIV/AIDS informal caregivers.

    Methods: Four electronic databases; Science Direct, EBSCOhost, Ovid and Springer Link were searched for articles published in the past 10 years (2002 - 2012). Only full-text English articles related to research on care giving of HIV-infected adult patients were selected.

    Results: Twenty two out of 293 articles (7.5%) were reviewed, involving 2,765 caregivers in the USA (n=1,610), Africa (n=253), Asia (n=838) and Oceania (n=64) regions. A variety of age categories was involved in care giving with the youngest carer being 12 years old and the oldest, 60 years on average. Females and whites appeared to be dominant and 603 caregivers themselves were HIV positive. The main outcomes measured were care giving burden, challenges and coping. Stress and depression, stigma and discrimination, insufficient support, role overload and extreme poverty were the main challenges experienced in care giving. Both qualitative (n=11) and quantitative (n=9) were the equally preferred types of study. Purposive sampling emerged as the most preferred sampling technique. Various instruments were utilized, but the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was the most popular particularly in quantitative studies.

    Conclusion: A variety of life aspects were negatively affected in the process of care giving for HIV/AIDS patients and studies of such nature commonly focused on caregivers' psychosocial burden.
  18. Abdullah KHA, Wahab S
    ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry, 2012;13(2):221-223.
    MyJurnal
    This case report highlights Koro-like symptoms with erectile dysfunction.
    Methods: We report a case of a Rohingya refugee who presented with Koro-like symptoms associated with erectile dysfunction and severe religious guilt.
    Results: Sexual dysfunction, i.e. erectile dysfunction may be a predisposing factor for a Koro incidence. Religious issues complicated by superstitious beliefs pose a treatment challenge.
    Conclusion: Treating patient with sexual dysfunction should involve exploring and addressing patient's conflicts to avoid worsening of symptoms. As this case illustrates, severe anxiety can present with Koro-like symptoms.
  19. Noor Aini Hussain, Mohamed Rusli Abdullah, Abdul Rahman Esa, Muzaimi Mustapha, Nasir Yusoff
    ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry, 2014;15(2):164-175.
    MyJurnal
    Objective: The involvement of families in assisting health professionals in providing care for their family members who suffer a stroke during hospitalization is common in Malaysia. Family caregivers are accountable in providing for the first-ever stroke survivor’s needs, including maintaining functional improvements gained in rehabilitation and the long-term well-being of the stroke survivors. The objective of this study was to determine the predictors of life satisfaction among family caregivers of hospitalized first-ever stroke patients. Methods: This was a cross-sectional community research design study with purposive sampling. It involved 102 family caregivers of hospitalized first-ever stroke patients of two tertiary hospitals in Kelantan. The Bakas Caregiving Outcomes Score (BCOS) was used to measure life satisfaction. Multiple linear regression was used to determine the predictors of life satisfaction. Results: Out of 102 respondents, 21 were males and 81 were females with age range of 16 to 76 years. Significant predictors of life satisfaction of caregivers while caring for their hospitalized first-ever stroke family members were caregivers’ health (β: -2.875, 95%CI: -5.725, -0.025, p = 0.048), patients’ age (β: - 4.251, 95% CI: - 6.379, -2.123, p
  20. Mohammad Rahim Kamaluddin, Nadiah Syariani Md Shariff, Azizah Othman, Khaidzir Ismail, Geshina Ayu Mat Saat
    ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry, 2014;15(2):176-185.
    MyJurnal
    Objective: A sizable body of criminology literature has suggested that personality factors are critical to the development of aggressive behaviour. While research on personality focusing on aggression often revolves on "Eynseck Three Factor Model" and "Big Five Model", research on "Alternative Five Factor Model" (AFFM) is rather inadequate. Objective: The present study aimed to examine the association between five types of personality traits and subscales of aggression. Methods: This observational cross-sectional study was conducted in two prisons in Peninsular Malaysia among 198 Malay adult male inmates. The participants were selected based on the purposive sampling method from those who were convicted for various types of crime. Two psychometric instruments adapted to the Malaysian context were used: Malay version of Zuckerman-Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire-40-Cross Culture (ZKPQ-M-40-CC) and Aggression Questionnaire (AQ-M). Pearson correlation coefficient test was conducted to determine the association between five types of personality traits and subscales of aggression. Results: The results showed that there was a significant association between certain types of personality traits and subscales of aggression. The results were discussed in relation to theory and the context of crime. Conclusion: There is evidence that personality traits are linked to aggressive behaviour which may lead a person to commit offenses. ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry, Vol. 15 (2): July - December 2014: 176-185.
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