MyMedR

Fulltext Anxiety, depression, perceived social support and quality of life in Malaysian breast cancer patients: a 1-year prospective study

Ng CG, Mohamed S, See MH, Harun F, Dahlui M, Sulaiman AH, et al.

Health Qual Life Outcomes, 2015;13:205.

PMID: 26715073 DOI: 10.1186/s12955-015-0401-7

Depression and anxiety are common psychiatric morbidity among breast cancer patient. There is a lack of study examining the correlation between depression, anxiety and quality of life (QoL) with perceived social support (PSS) among breast cancer patients. This study aims to study the level of depression, anxiety, QoL and PSS among Malaysian breast cancer women over a period of 12 months and their associations at baseline, 6 and 12 months.

Matched MeSH terms: Anxiety/psychology*

Does exercise habit strength moderate the relationship between emotional distress and short-term memory in Malaysian primary school children?

Zainol NA, Hashim HA

Psychol Health Med, 2015;20(4):495-502.

PMID: 25196807 DOI: 10.1080/13548506.2014.955034

We examined the moderating effects of exercise habit strength on the relationship between emotional distress and short-term memory in primary school children.

Matched MeSH terms: Anxiety/psychology*

Fulltext The effectiveness of psychoeducation and systematic desensitization to reduce test anxiety among first-year pharmacy students

Rajiah K, Saravanan C

Am J Pharm Educ, 2014 Nov 15;78(9):163.

PMID: 25525278 DOI: 10.5688/ajpe789163

To analyze the effect of psychological intervention on reducing performance anxiety and the consequences of the intervention on first-year pharmacy students.

Matched MeSH terms: Anxiety/psychology

Anxiolytic-like effects of mitragynine in the open-field and elevated plus-maze tests in rats

Hazim AI, Ramanathan S, Parthasarathy S, Muzaimi M, Mansor SM

J Physiol Sci, 2014 May;64(3):161-9.

PMID: 24464759 DOI: 10.1007/s12576-014-0304-0

The effects of mitragynine on anxiety-related behaviours in the open-field and elevated plus-maze tests were evaluated. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were orally treated with mitragynine (10, 20 and 40 mg/kg) or diazepam (10 mg/kg) 60 min before behavioural testing. Mitragynine doses used in this study were selected on the basis of approximately human equivalent doses with reference to our previous literature reports. Acute administration of mitragynine (10, 20 and 40 mg/kg) or diazepam (10 mg/kg) increased central zone and open arms exploration in the open-field and elevated plus-maze tests respectively. These anxiolytic-like effects of mitragynine were effectively antagonized by intraperitoneal administration of naloxone (2 mg/kg), flumazenil (10 mg/kg), sulpiride (0.5 mg/kg) or SCH 23390 (0.02 mg/kg) 15 min before mitragynine treatments. These findings reveal that the acute administration of mitragynine produces anxiolytic-like effects and this could be possibly attributed to the interactions among opioidergic, GABAergic and dopaminergic systems in brain regions involved in anxiety.

Matched MeSH terms: Anxiety/psychology

Chronic suppurative lung disease in a developing country: impact on child and parent

Nathan AM, Muthusamy A, Thavagnanam S, Hashim A, de Bruyne J

Pediatr Pulmonol, 2014 May;49(5):435-40.

PMID: 24482322 DOI: 10.1002/ppul.23001

To investigate the impact of chronic suppurative lung disease (CSLD) on growth and lung function in the child as well as quality of life of the child and parent.

Matched MeSH terms: Anxiety/psychology

A preliminary study of the psychological differences in infertile couples and their relation to the coping styles

Musa R, Ramli R, Yazmie AW, Khadijah MB, Hayati MY, Midin M, et al.

Compr Psychiatry, 2014 Jan;55 Suppl 1:S65-9.

PMID: 23433218 DOI: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2013.01.001

Studies from Western countries have observed that couples undergoing infertility treatment suffer various physical and psychological difficulties at a higher frequency than the comparable general population. These relate to treatment challenges and other psychosocial stressors, often influenced by coping style, personality factors and available support systems. There is paucity of studies in non-Western populations.

Matched MeSH terms: Anxiety/psychology

Fulltext Dental fear among medical and dental undergraduates

Hakim H, Razak IA

ScientificWorldJournal, 2014;2014:747508.

PMID: 25386615 DOI: 10.1155/2014/747508

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence and level of dental fear among health related undergraduates and to identify factors causing such fear using Kleinknecht's Dental Fear Survey (DFS) questionnaire.
METHODS: Kleinknecht's DFS questionnaire was used to assess dental fear and anxiety among the entire enrollment of the medical and dental undergraduates' of the University of Malaya.
RESULTS: Overall response rate was 82.2%. Dental students reported higher prevalence of dental fear (96.0% versus 90.4%). However, most of the fear encountered among dental students was in the low fear category as compared to their medical counterpart (69.2 versus 51.2%). Significantly more medical students cancelled dental appointment due to fear compared to dental students (P = 0.004). "Heart beats faster" and "muscle being tensed" were the top two physiological responses experienced by the respondents. "Drill" and "anesthetic needle" were the most fear provoking objects among respondents of both faculties.
CONCLUSION: Dental fear and anxiety are a common problem encountered among medical and dental undergraduates who represent future health care professionals. Also, high level of dental fear and anxiety leads to the avoidance of the dental services.

Matched MeSH terms: Dental Anxiety/psychology*

Fulltext Psychological factors as predictors of suicidal ideation among adolescents in Malaysia

Ibrahim N, Amit N, Suen MW

PLoS One, 2014;9(10):e110670.

PMID: 25340331 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0110670

BACKGROUND: There has been a drastic increase in the rate of suicides over the past 45 years in Malaysia. The statistics show that adolescents aged between 16 and 19 years old are at high risk of committing suicide. This could be attributed to issues relating to the developmental stage of adolescents. During this stage, adolescents face challenges and are exposed to various stressful experiences and risk factors relating to suicide.

METHOD: The present study examined psychological factors (i.e., depression, anxiety and stress) as predictors for suicidal ideation among adolescents. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 190 students (103 males and 87 females), aged 15 to 19 years old from two different schools in Kuala Lumpur. The Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 21-item version (DASS-21) was used to measure depression, anxiety and stress among the students, and the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation (BSS) to measure suicidal ideation. The data were analysed using Pearson's correlation and multiple regression analysis.

RESULTS: The results show that 11.10%, 10.00%, and 9.50% of the students reported that they were experiencing severe depression, anxiety and stress, respectively. There were significant correlations between depression, anxiety, and stress with suicidal ideation. However, only depression was identified as a predictor for suicidal ideation.

CONCLUSION: Hence, this study extends the role of depression in predicting suicidal ideation among adolescents in the Malaysian context. The findings imply that teenagers should be assisted in strengthening their positive coping strategies in managing distress to reduce depression and suicidal ideation.

Matched MeSH terms: Anxiety/psychology

Fulltext Psychological problems and psychosocial predictors of cigarette smoking behavior among undergraduate students in Malaysia

Saravanan C, Heidhy I

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2014;15(18):7629-34.

PMID: 25292039

BACKGROUND: Cigarette smokers have their own motivation and justification to smoke. For example, smoking reduces their stress or enhances their pleasure. This study aimed to identify the (a) prevalence of cigarette smokers among undergraduates in Malaysia, (b) gender differences in nicotine dependence among current smokers, (c) differences in psychological problems (depression, anxiety and stress) based on the status of smoking cigarettes (current, former and non-smokers) and (d) extent to which precipitating factors (tension reduction, addiction, automatism, handling, social interaction, pleasure, and stimulation) predict the smoking behavior among current smokers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study 780 undergraduate students participated from a private university in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor state in Malaysia. The Depression, Stress and Anxiety Scale, Modified Reason for Smoking Scale and Fagerstrom Nicotine Dependence Test were used to measure psychological problems, predictors of smoking behavior and nicotine dependency among current smokers.

RESULTS: The results showed that 14.7%(n=106) of the students were smokers. Current smokers exhibited more psychological problems (depression, anxiety and stress) compared to former and non-smokers. Addiction, tension reduction, pleasure and automatism were predictors of smoking behavior among the current smoking students. Step wise regression analysis showed that smoking behavior was highly predicted by nicotine dependency or addiction. Smoking students were motivated to smoke cigarettes as they believed that it reduced their tension and enhance pleasure.

CONCLUSIONS: Hence, there is a need for health promotion and anti-tobacco prevention as cigarette smokers experience more psychological problems. Nicotine dependency or addition was one of the major causes for smoking behavior among the student population in Malaysia.

Matched MeSH terms: Anxiety/psychology

Fulltext Depression, anxiety, stress and hyperemesis gravidarum: temporal and case controlled correlates

Tan PC, Zaidi SN, Azmi N, Omar SZ, Khong SY

PLoS One, 2014;9(3):e92036.

PMID: 24637791 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0092036

To evaluate the temporal and case-controlled correlations of anxiety, depression and stress with hyperemesis gravidarum.

Matched MeSH terms: Anxiety/psychology

Ergonomics issues in national identity card for homeland security

Yeow PH, Yuen YY, Loo WH

Appl Ergon, 2013 Sep;44(5):719-29.

PMID: 22841592 DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2012.04.017

Ever since the 9/11 terrorist attack, many countries are considering the use of smart national identity card (SNIC) which has the ability to identify terrorists due to its biometric verification function. However, there are many ergonomics issues in the use of SNIC, e.g. card credibility. This research presents a case study survey of Malaysian users. Although most citizens (>96%) own MyKad (Malaysia SNIC), many do not carry it around and use its applications. This defeats one of its main purposes, i.e. combating terrorism. Thus, the research investigates ergonomics issues affecting the citizens' Intention to Use (ITU) MyKad for homeland security by using an extended technology acceptance model. Five hundred questionnaires were collected and analysed using structural equation modelling. Results show that perceived credibility and performance expectancy are the key issues. The findings provide many countries with insights into methods of addressing ergonomics issues and increasing adoption of SNIC for homeland security.

Matched MeSH terms: Anxiety/psychology

The efficacy of mindfulness-based stress reduction on mental health of breast cancer patients: a meta-analysis

Zainal NZ, Booth S, Huppert FA

Psychooncology, 2013 Jul;22(7):1457-65.

PMID: 22961994 DOI: 10.1002/pon.3171

This study aims to investigate the evidence of the efficacy of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) in improving stress, depression and anxiety in breast cancer patients.

Matched MeSH terms: Anxiety/psychology

Cardiovascular responses to stress in Singapore and India

Kaur D, Bishop GD

Int J Psychophysiol, 2013 Feb;87(2):130-40.

PMID: 23206971 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2012.11.011

Epidemiological studies have shown significant ethnic differences in coronary heart disease death rates with South Asians showing significantly greater coronary heart disease mortality than other groups.

Matched MeSH terms: Anxiety/psychology

Fulltext The quality of life of people with epilepsy at a tertiary referral centre in Malaysia

Norsa'adah B, Zainab J, Knight A

Health Qual Life Outcomes, 2013;11:143.

PMID: 23972031 DOI: 10.1186/1477-7525-11-143

Epilepsy, a chronic disorder of brain characterised by a predisposition to generate epileptic seizures, has an effect on the psychosocial well-being of sufferers. Measuring the quality of life (QOL) of people with epilepsy (PWE) is increasingly recognized as an important component of clinical management. QOL measures differ between countries and there is limited information regarding PWE in Malaysia. The aim of this study was to determine the health related QOL and its relationship with the presence of seizures in PWE at a Malaysian tertiary referral center.

Matched MeSH terms: Anxiety/psychology*

Fulltext Reliability and validity of the Malay Version of the Breast- Impact of Treatment Scale (MVBITS) in breast cancer women undergoing chemotherapy

Zainal NZ, Shuib N, Bustam AZ, Sabki ZA, Guan NC

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2013;14(1):463-8.

PMID: 23534774 DOI: 10.7314/apjcp.2013.14.1.463

BACKGROUND: Body image dissatisfaction among breast cancer survivors has been associated with psychological stress resultant from breast cancer and resultant surgery. This study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of the Malay Version of the Breast-Impact of Treatment Scale (MVBITS) and to investigate the associations of retained factors with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The MVBITS was 'forward-backward' translated from English to Malay and then administered to 70 female breast cancer patients who came to the Oncology Clinic of University Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to undergo chemotherapy. Principal component analysis (PCA) with varimax rotation was performed to explore the factor structure of the MVBITS. Associations of retained factors were estimated with reference to Spearman correlation coefficients.

RESULTS: The internal consistency reliability of MVBITS was good (Cronbach's alpha 0.945) and showed temporal stability over a 3-week period. Principal component analysis suggested two factors termed as 'Intrusion' and 'Avoidance' domains. These factors explained 70.3% of the variance. Factor 1 comprised the effects of breast cancer treatment on the emotion and thought, while Factor 2 informed attempts to limit exposure of the body to self or others. The Factor 1 of MVBITS was positively correlated with total, depression and anxiety sub-scores of HADS. Factor 2 was positively correlated with total and anxiety sub-scores of HADS. MVBITS was also positively correlated with the RSES scores.

CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that the Malay Version of Breast-Impact of Treatment Scale possesses satisfactory psychometric properties suggesting that this instrument is appropriate for assessment of body change stress among female breast cancer patients in Malaysia.

Matched MeSH terms: Anxiety/psychology

Hospital discharge on the first compared with the second day after a planned cesarean delivery: a randomized controlled trial

Tan PC, Norazilah MJ, Omar SZ

Obstet Gynecol, 2012 Dec;120(6):1273-82.

PMID: 23168750 DOI: http://10.1097/AOG.0b013e3182723a95

To compare patient satisfaction and exclusive breastfeeding rates for patients discharged from the hospital on postcesarean day 1 (next day) or day 2.

Matched MeSH terms: Anxiety/psychology

Relationships between negative affect and academic achievement among secondary school students: the mediating effects of habituated exercise

Hashim HA, Freddy G, Rosmatunisah A

J Phys Act Health, 2012 Sep;9(7):1012-9.

PMID: 22971880

The current study was undertaken to examine the associations between self-determination, exercise habit, anxiety, depression, stress, and academic achievement among adolescents aged 13 and 14 years in eastern Malaysia.

Matched MeSH terms: Anxiety/psychology

Hypoglycemia is associated with increased worry and lower quality of life among patients with type 2 diabetes treated with oral antihyperglycemic agents in the Asia-Pacific region

Sheu WH, Ji LN, Nitiyanant W, Baik SH, Yin D, Mavros P, et al.

Diabetes Res Clin Pract, 2012 May;96(2):141-8.

PMID: 22265956 DOI: 10.1016/j.diabres.2011.12.027

AIMS: We examined the relationship of hypoglycemic symptoms with health-related quality of life and worry about hypoglycemia among type 2 diabetic patients using oral antihyperglycemic agents (AHA) in the Asia-Pacific region.
METHODS: A total of 2257 type 2 diabetic patients with at least 6 months of oral AHA were enrolled in China, Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, and Taiwan. Quality of life was measured with the EuroQol Visual Analog Scale (EQ-VAS) and EuroQol-5 Dimensions questionnaire (EQ-5D), and worry about hypoglycemia with the worry subscale of the Hypoglycemic Fear Survey-II (HFS).
RESULTS: The mean (SD) age was 58.7 (10.2) years and HbA(1c) was 7.5% (1.5). The proportion of patients with an HbA(1c) <6.5% and <7% was 24.9% and 41.8%, respectively. Hypoglycemic symptoms in the prior 6 months were reported by 35.8% of patients. Mean scores on the EQ-VAS and the EQ-5D were significantly lower for patients who had hypoglycemic symptoms compared to those who did not (73.6 vs. 76.9, p<0.001; 0.88 vs. 0.90, p<0.0001, respectively), whereas mean score on the HFS was significantly higher (12.5 vs. 6.3, p<0.001). In multivariate models, hypoglycemic symptoms were independently associated with scores on the EQ-5D, EQ-VAS, and HFS (all p ≤ 0.01-0.001). Symptom severity was positively associated with fear of hypoglycemia (all p ≤ 0.001).
CONCLUSION: Hypoglycemic symptoms were associated with reduced quality of life and increased patient worry in patients with type 2 diabetes treated with AHA.

Matched MeSH terms: Anxiety/psychology

Fatigue experienced by patients receiving maintenance dialysis in hemodialysis units

Letchmi S, Das S, Halim H, Zakariah FA, Hassan H, Mat S, et al.

Nurs Health Sci, 2011 Mar;13(1):60-4.

PMID: 21392194 DOI: 10.1111/j.1442-2018.2011.00579.x

The fatigue that is observed in patients who are undergoing dialysis is usually associated with an impaired quality of life. The present cross-sectional study was conducted from January to April 2009 in three hemodialysis units in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. In this study, the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory and Depression Anxiety and Stress Score 21 were used to determine the level of fatigue, depression, anxiety, and stress of patients who were undergoing dialysis. The data were obtained from a calculated sample of 116 and a total of 103 respondents participated in the study. A total of 56 (54.4%) and 47 (45.6%) respondents experienced a high level and a low level of fatigue, respectively. There was a significant relationship between the duration of treatment and the level of fatigue. The respondents who had been receiving treatment for > 2 years experienced more fatigue, compared to the respondents who had been undergoing hemodialysis for > 2 years. There was a significant difference in relation to the age of the participants regarding the level of fatigue. No significant relationship between the sex of the participants, anemia, depression, anxiety, stress, and the level of fatigue was observed. Special attention needs to be paid to both the younger and older adults who are receiving treatment. In addition, proper planning is needed for the patients regarding their daily activities in order to reduce fatigue. Nurses who work in hemodialysis units are recommended to provide exercise classes or group therapy in order to boost the energy levels among patients who are undergoing dialysis. Health professionals should provide appropriate treatment for patients who are experiencing fatigue in order to prevent any other complications that could arise.

Matched MeSH terms: Anxiety/psychology

Fulltext Psychometric properties of the Malay Version of the hospital anxiety and depression scale: a study of husbands of breast cancer patients in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Yusoff N, Low WY, Yip CH

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2011;12(4):915-7.

PMID: 21790225

The main objective of this paper is to examine the psychometric properties of the Malay Version of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), tested on 67 husbands of the women who were diagnosed with breast cancer. The eligible husbands were retrieved from the Clinical Oncology Clinic at three hospitals in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Data was collected at three weeks and ten weeks following surgery for breast cancer of their wives. The psychometric properties of the HADS were reported based on Cronbach' alpha, Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICC), Effect Size Index (ESI), sensitivity and discriminity of the scale. Internal consistency of the scale is excellent, with Cronbach's alpha of 0.88 for Anxiety subscale and 0.79 for Depression subscale. Test-retest Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) is 0.35 and 0.42 for Anxiety and Depression Subscale, respectively. Small mean differences were observed at test-retest measurement with ESI of 0.21 for Anxiety and 0.19 for Depression. Non-significant result was revealed for the discriminant validity (mastectomy vs lumpectomy). The Malay Version of the HADS is appropriate to measure the anxiety and depression among the husbands of the women with breast cancer in Malaysia.
Study site: Oncology clinic, University of Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Pusat Perubatan Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (PPUKM), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Matched MeSH terms: Anxiety/psychology

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