Displaying publications 81 - 100 of 2133 in total

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  1. Lim VK, Cheong YM, Suleiman AB
    Singapore Med J, 1993 Dec;34(6):525-8.
    PMID: 8153716
    A prospective survey of antibiotic prescribing patterns in six Ministry of Health general hospitals in Malaysia was undertaken. Information on antibiotic prescriptions including the types of antibiotics used and the purposes for prescription was obtained through the use of questionnaires. A total of 1,918 antibiotic prescriptions were available for analysis. About two-thirds of prescriptions were for therapeutic purposes. The most common infections treated were lower respiratory infection (31%), followed by skin and soft tissue infection (17%), and urinary tract infection (8%). Only 20% of the therapeutic prescriptions were based on microbiological test results. Prophylactic prescriptions were issued for a variety of indications, the most common being toilet and suture of wounds. Only 5% of prophylactic prescriptions were of less than 3 days duration. There was great diversity in antibiotics and antibiotic regimens employed. It was evident that there was a lack of compliance with guidelines on antibiotic use issued by the Ministry of Health.
    Matched MeSH terms: Prospective Studies
  2. Yaacob I, Mohammad M
    Singapore Med J, 1993 Dec;34(6):522-3.
    PMID: 8153715
    Seventy-five adult asthmatic patients with clinical remission underwent spirometry. Only 8.3% of the subjects demonstrated normal spirometry. The others had reduced vital capacity (VC), forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), maximum mid-expiratory flow rate (MMF) and peak flow rate (PEFR). This study demonstrates that asthma can cause irreversible airflow obstruction and there is a poor relationship between symptoms in asthmatics and their respiratory function test results.
    Study site: Chest clinic, Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM), Kelantan, Malaysia
    Matched MeSH terms: Prospective Studies
  3. Lee SM, Wong NW
    Singapore Med J, 1994 Feb;35(1):53-6.
    PMID: 8009280
    A prospective comparative study was carried out on thirty-seven consecutive patients presenting with bleeding oesophageal varices at University Hospital, Kuala Lumpur. All patients received injection sclerotherapy if active bleeding was seen at the time of initial endoscopy, followed by repetitive courses of sclerotherapy to obliterate the varices. Predominant aetiological factors were hepatitis-B cirrhosis (43%) and alcoholic cirrhosis (30%). Chinese ethnic group accounted for 62.5% of hepatitis-B cirrhotics and Indian 73% of alcoholic cirrhotics. After excluding patients lost to follow-up, analysis of the remaining thirty-four patients showed reduced long-term survival in patients with Child's C disease. Log-rank analysis of survival curves between hepatitis-B cirrhosis and alcoholic cirrhosis in patients with Child's C liver disease showed no significant difference in long-term survival (p = 0.07). However, six deaths were seen in hepatitis-B cirrhosis compared to one death in alcoholic cirrhosis in the first eight months of follow-up. Most patients died from progressive liver failure. Median survival for Child's C hepatitis-B cirrhosis was 7.5 months whereas this had not been reached for Child's C alcoholic cirrhosis (median follow-up 11.6 months). We conclude that variceal haemorrhage in Child's C hepatitis-B cirrhosis is a bad prognostic sign and is associated with reduced survival with a median survival of 7.5 months despite control of the variceal bleed.
    Matched MeSH terms: Prospective Studies
  4. Soo CS, Ca M, Tay M, Yeoh JK, Sim E, Choo M
    J Am Soc Echocardiogr, 1994 3 1;7(2):159-64.
    PMID: 8185960
    We prospectively studied 37 consecutive patients implanted with the Carbomedics prosthetic heart value in the mitral position (without clinical evidence of prosthetic valve dysfunction) with two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography. The peak mitral prosthetic gradient ranged from 4.60 to 14.63 (mean 8.97 +/- 2.29) mm Hg; mean mitral prosthetic gradient ranged from 1.67 to 6.18 (mean 3.24 +/- 0.95) mm Hg; pressure half-time derived mitral valve area ranged from 1.67 to 5.30 (mean 2.70 +/- 0.80) cm2. These values compare favorably with that of another bileaflet valve (i.e., the St. Jude Medical valve). There was a wide overlap in peak and mean transmitral gradients, even with the valves of the same size, with a significant but weak inverse relationship between peak mitral gradients and valve size (p = 0.03, r = -0.36). The performance index showed a smaller range of values, again with a significant but weak inverse relationship with valve size (p = 0.001, r = -0.54). The inverse relationship between valve size and peak mitral gradient and performance index should be borne in mind when analyzing Doppler hemodynamic data.
    Matched MeSH terms: Prospective Studies
  5. Malik AS
    Med J Malaysia, 1994 Mar;49(1):12-6.
    PMID: 8057984
    In view of controversial reports about the role of prelabour rupture of foetal membranes (PROM) in neonatal morbidity and to study the association of PROM with infections and meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS), a prospective case control study was conducted in a level II nursery of Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan. Of the 111 neonates with PROM studied, 18 developed clinical problems (septicaemia and other specific problems such as pneumonia, omphalitis, skin infection and MAS) while 5/56 of the control group developed similar problems. The difference between the two groups was not significant (p < 0.30). There was no neonatal death. It is concluded that PROM is not associated with neonatal morbidity. Neonates with this problem alone do not need to be admitted to the neonatal nursery.
    Matched MeSH terms: Prospective Studies
  6. Lim NL, Nordin MM, Cheah IG
    Med J Malaysia, 1994 Mar;49(1):4-11.
    PMID: 8057989
    An open prospective descriptive pilot study was undertaken to assess the effectiveness and experience in the use of ExosurfNeonatal, a synthetic surfactant, on preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome in the neonatal intensive care unit of the Paediatric Institute. Of 10 infants treated, seven (70%) survived with no major handicap on discharge. The mean duration of ventilation for these survivors was 6.4 days, mean duration of oxygen therapy 9.1 days and mean length of hospital stay 38.3 days. A comparison was made with a retrospective analysis of 15 neonates who were admitted during an eight month period prior to the pilot study. These infants were mechanically ventilated for respiratory distress syndrome but not given surfactant therapy. Of these, nine (60%) survived (P > 0.1 compared to Exosurf treated infants), but two developed post haemorrhagic hydrocephalus requiring shunting. For these nine survivors, the mean duration of ventilator therapy was 12.6 days, the mean duration of oxygen therapy 20.7 days and the mean length of hospital stay 70.8 days. This difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Of the three ExosurfNeonatal treated infants who died, two were extremely premature. Both developed grade IV periventricular haemorrhage while the third infant was admitted in shock and hypothermia and died from intraventricular haemorrhage and pulmonary interstitial emphysema. Except for the very sick and extremely premature infants, surfactant therapy is useful in reducing the mortality and morbidity of premature infants with respiratory distress syndrome in our neonatal intensive unit.
    Matched MeSH terms: Prospective Studies
  7. Cheong I, Tan SC, Wong YH, Zainudin BM, Rahman MZ
    Med J Malaysia, 1994 Mar;49(1):24-8.
    PMID: 8057986
    Between August 1990 to November 1991, 905 of 2583 (35.4%) isolates of Staphylococcus aureus were found to be methicillin-resistant in a general hospital in Malaysia. A detailed study of 539 of these isolates showed a high prevalence of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in the surgical/orthopaedic wards, paediatric wards and the special care unit. The yield of MRSA was highest from wounds/ulcers/skin swabs accounting for 64.2 per cent followed by 6.9 per cent in blood cultures. Vancomycin remains the drug of choice with no resistance detected. The resistance to ciprofloxacin was 6.7 per cent, rifampicin 4.5 per cent and fusidic acid 2.0 per cent. Most isolates were resistant to aminoglycosides. In view of the high prevalence of MRSA in this hospital, the authorities must introduce more effective measures to control its spread as a nosocomial pathogen. Otherwise it may seriously disrupt the efficient delivery of health care services in the country.
    Matched MeSH terms: Prospective Studies
  8. Malik AS, Pennie RA
    Med J Malaysia, 1994 Mar;49(1):17-23.
    PMID: 8057985
    A prospective study of 486 high risk neonates admitted to a level II nursery in a relatively poor and rural area of Malaysia was carried out to determine the incidence, the spectrum of micro-organisms and predisposing factors in relation to early onset septicaemia. The incidence of proven or probable septicaemia was 57.61 per 1000 high risk newborns over 1.5 kg. The case fatality was 10.71 per cent. Coagulase negative staphylococci, Streptococcus Group B and Klebsiella species were the most commonly isolated organisms. Meconium staining of liquor was the most common risk factor for admission to the nursery, and prematurity was the most significant risk factor for early neonatal infection (P < 0.005) followed by small for gestational age (P < 0.04). Although the incidence of septicaemia was quite high in the level II nursery, the mortality rate was comparable to established figures.
    Matched MeSH terms: Prospective Studies
  9. Yeo GS, Chan WB, Lun KC, Lai FM
    Ann Acad Med Singap, 1994 May;23(3):371-6.
    PMID: 7944253
    A systematic collection of fetal morphometric measurements was started seven years ago in 1987 with the prospective entry of data into personal computer-based stations in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Singapore General Hospital. A cross-sectional study was done, comparing 2392 Chinese fetuses with 2117 Malay fetuses and 459 Indian fetuses from 18 to 40 weeks. The mean values of the head circumference (HC), abdominal circumference (AC) and femur length (FL) of the 3 ethnic groups were analysed. There were no statistical significant differences in the head circumference and abdominal circumference of Chinese, Malay and Indian fetuses in Singapore. The Chinese and Malay fetal femur length appeared similar but were apparently shorter than the Indian femur length. Nomograms of head circumference, abdominal circumference and femur length were constructed for application to fetuses of all 3 ethnic groups.
    Matched MeSH terms: Prospective Studies
  10. Chin KW, Law NM, Chin MK
    Med J Malaysia, 1994 Jun;49(2):158-63.
    PMID: 8090095
    Phenylephrine in concentrations of either 2.5% or 10% is widely used as a mydriatic agent in ophthalmic surgery. Its potential cardiovascular effects are seldom recorded as ophthalmic surgery is not usually monitored by an anaesthetist. A prospective randomised double blind study was carried out in 89 consecutive cases of uncomplicated cataract surgery in the presence of an anaesthesiologist ensuring the continuous monitoring of blood pressure, heart rate, electrocardiography and pulse oximetry. All these patients were given a drop of either normal saline, 2.5% or 10% phenylephrine in addition to mydriacyl prior to surgery. Blood pressure readings were found to be significantly higher in non-hypertensive patients receiving phenylephrine at the start of the operation and at five, 10, 15 and 20 minutes intra-operatively and the first three hours post-operatively. Blood pressure readings in hypertensive patients, on the other hand, were also found to increase after phenylephrine administration, though not statistically significant. 10.3% of the 10% phenylephrine group and 3% of the 2.5% phenylephrine group required intraoperative intravenous hypotensive agent to control the blood pressure. There were no arrhythmias or ischaemic changes observed intraoperatively. None of the patients complained of palpitation, headache or chest discomfort. There was no oxygen desaturation observed. We concluded that significant hypertensive effects can arise after phenylephrine eye drop administration. Hence, it should be used cautiously with intraoperative monitoring of the cardiovascular status during cataract surgery.
    Matched MeSH terms: Prospective Studies
  11. Cheah PL, Liam CK, Yap SF, Looi LM
    J Clin Pathol, 1994 Jun;47(6):535-7.
    PMID: 8063936
    AIMS: To determine (1) the detection rate of primary carcinoma of the lung by serological assay of CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen); and (2) whether addition of seroassay of squamous cell carcinoma related antigen before treatment improves detection sensitivity.

    METHODS: A prospective study spanning 27 months was conducted at the University Hospital, Kuala Lumpur. Serum CEA (Abbott IMx) and serum squamous cell carcinoma antigen (Abbott IMx) from patients clinically suspected of having primary carcinoma of the lung, were assayed using the microparticle enzyme immunoassay method.

    RESULTS: Thirty seven cases of histologically confirmed primary lung carcinoma were studied. Of these, 17 were squamous cell carcinomas, 10 adenocarcinomas, nine small cell carcinomas, and one large cell carcinoma. The patients' ages ranged from 34-82 years. The male:female ratio was 3.6:1. Squamous cell carcinoma antigen was raised above the cutoff value of 1.5 ng/ml in 94.1% of squamous cell carcinomas, 20.0% of adenocarcinomas, and 11.1% of small cell carcinomas. By comparison, CEA was raised above the cutoff value of 3.0 ng/ml in 70.6% of squamous cell carcinomas, 77.8% of small cell carcinomas, and 100% of adenocarcinomas. CEA and squamous cell carcinoma antigen were not raised in the patient with large cell carcinoma and in 14 healthy volunteers. None of 15 patients with a variety of benign lung diseases showed a rise of CEA, while two patients--a 25 year old Indian woman with pneumonia and a 64 year old Malay man with bronchial asthma--had raised squamous cell carcinoma antigen values above the cutoff. Serum CEA and squamous cell carcinoma antigen values did not seem to correlate with stage or degree of differentiation of the tumours.

    CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that CEA is a good general marker for carcinoma, particularly adenocarcinoma. In contrast, squamous cell carcinoma antigen is more specific for squamous carcinoma.

    Matched MeSH terms: Prospective Studies
  12. Ismail MT
    Malays J Reprod Health, 1994 Jun;12(1):43-8.
    PMID: 12320338
    PIP: Marvelon, a monophasic oral contraceptive (OC) containing 30 mcg of ethinyl estradiol and 150 mcg of desogestrel, has been available to Malaysian women through the national family planning program since 1982. To assess the safety, effectiveness, and side effects associated with this OC, 247 women who requested the pill were enrolled in a multicenter prospective study that included follow-up after the first, third, and sixth cycles of use. 81% of participants had never used any form of contraception before Marvelon. 194 women (79%) completed the 6-month study. There were no pregnancies recorded. Although women reported a slightly increased incidence of nausea, breast tenderness, and headache in the first treatment cycle, these side effects had abated by the end of the third cycle. After six cycles, mean body weight had decreased by an average of 0.4 kg. Both systolic and diastolic blood pressure were unaffected. An unexpected finding was a decrease in the severity of acne with continuous use of Marvelon. Although both spotting and breakthrough bleeding increased slightly in the first two cycles, irregular bleeding returned to pretreatment levels by the third cycle. The length of the withdrawal bleed in the pill-free week was reduced. The incidence of irregular bleeding and other side effects was substantially lower in this sample of Malaysian women than in Asian and Caucasian Marvelon users surveyed in other studies.
    Matched MeSH terms: Prospective Studies*
  13. Segasothy M, Samad SA, Zulfigar A, Bennett WM
    Am J Kidney Dis, 1994 Jul;24(1):17-24.
    PMID: 8023820
    The risk of renal papillary necrosis and renal dysfunction due to the chronic use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is unknown. In a prospective study of 259 heavy analgesic users seen in a general medical hospital over an 11-year-period beginning in January 1982, 69 new cases of analgesic nephropathy with renal papillary necrosis were confirmed by intravenous urogram (26.6%), ultrasonography (30.4%), and/or computed tomography (43%). Twenty-nine of these patients (42%) had consumed excessive quantities of NSAIDs alone; an additional nine patients (13%) had consumed NSAIDs predominantly in combinations with paracetamol, aspirin, phenacetin, caffeine, and/or traditional herbal medications. Of those patients who consumed NSAIDs alone, 17 had consumed only a single type of NSAID and the remaining 12 had consumed multiple types of NSAIDs. The amount of NSAIDs administered ranged from 1,000 to 26,600 capsules or tablets over a 2- to 25-year period. Renal impairment (serum creatinine, 126 to 778 mumol/L) was noted in 26 of these 38 patients (64.8%). The reasons given for consuming NSAIDs include gouty arthritis (18 patients), osteoarthritis (seven patients), rheumatoid arthritis (six patients), chronic headache (three patients), gouty arthritis plus chronic headache (three patients), and chronic backache (one patient). All patients were prescribed these drugs and were followed medically. The occurrence of analgesic nephropathy was predominantly in males (male to female ratio, 1.9:1). Most of the patients did not have the characteristic psychological profile attributed previously to analgesic abuse nephropathy. Associated addictive habits, such as the use of psychotropic drugs and sleeping tablets, purgative abuse, and alcoholism, were absent.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
    Matched MeSH terms: Prospective Studies
  14. Boo NY, Oakes M, Lye MS, Said H
    J Trop Pediatr, 1994 Aug;40(4):194-7.
    PMID: 7932930
    A study of 128 jaundiced term neonates showed that 28 (22 per cent) had hearing loss based on brain stem-evoked response. There was no significant difference in the percentage of neonates with hearing loss between those with peak serum bilirubin levels of less than 340 mumol/l (16 per cent) and those with hyperbilirubinaemia > 339 mumol/l (33 per cent) (P = 0.11). Logistic regression analysis showed that severe jaundice which required exchange transfusion and earlier age of onset of hyperbilirubinaemia were statistically significant risk factors associated with hearing loss (P = 0.038 and P = 0.012, respectively).
    Matched MeSH terms: Prospective Studies
  15. Deng CT, Zulkifli HI, Azizi BH
    Med J Malaysia, 1994 Sep;49(3):263-8.
    PMID: 7845277
    A study was carried out to ascertain the views of parents regarding the performance of lumbar punctures on their children admitted for febrile seizures. One hundred and seventeen (117) children with febrile seizures were recruited over nine months. Either one of the parents was interviewed a day after admission. In most cases, this was usually the mother. The ethnic groups of the patients were Malays (62.4%), Indians (26.5%), Chinese (8.5%) and others (2.6%). Lumbar punctures were requested by the doctor in attendance in only 28 (23.9%) patients This showed that the rate of request for lumbar punctures in febrile seizures was low. Parents of eight of them refused. The main reasons for the refusal were: fears that the child might be paralysed, advice from relatives and fear that the child might die from the procedure, or might find it too painful. All the parents who refused were Malays. A lumbar puncture was also more likely to be refused in a girl. Those who consented to lumbar puncture did so because they wanted the doctor to get to the diagnosis. Another reason given was that it might be therapeutic. Parents whose children did not require a lumbar puncture also thought that lumbar puncture may cause paralysis. The main sources of information on lumbar punctures for the parents were their relatives and/or friends. In only 85% of the cases were the reasons for the lumbar puncture explained to the parent. In 71.4% of the time the explanation was done by the medical officer, and in only 4.8% of the time was the consultant involved.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
    Matched MeSH terms: Prospective Studies
  16. Goh KL, Peh SC, Parasakthi N, Wong NW, Tan KK, Lo YL
    Am J Gastroenterol, 1994 Oct;89(10):1789-92.
    PMID: 7942668
    OBJECTIVES: Our objectives were to determine the effect of dual therapy with omeprazole and amoxicillin and of triple therapy with omeprazole, amoxicillin, and metronidazole in the eradication of Helicobacter pylori (HP) and to study the long-term results of eradication in these patients.
    METHODS: A prospective, randomized, controlled trial was performed. Patients who were recruited had unequivocal evidence of HP infection based on culture, histology, rapid urease test, and Gram's stain of a tissue smear. Eradication was defined as the absence of bacteria in all tests performed on both corpus and antral biopsies.
    RESULTS: The infection was eradicated in 15 of 19 (78.9%) patients randomized to receive dual therapy and in 19 of 22 (86.4%) patients who received triple therapy. We followed the course of 30 patients in whom HP had been eradicated for a prolonged term (up to 12 months). All remained clear of HP. Twenty-five of 28 patients (89.3%) with duodenal ulcers in whom HP was successfully eradicated remained healed at 12 months. Fewer side effects were reported among patients who received the dual therapy.
    CONCLUSIONS: Combination therapy with omeprazole and amoxicillin with or without metronidazole is effective in the eradication of HP. In particular, the dual therapy regimen with amoxicillin is not only effective but is also well tolerated by patients.
    Matched MeSH terms: Prospective Studies
  17. Malik AS, Hillman D
    Ann Trop Paediatr, 1994;14(1):47-51.
    PMID: 7516134
    The outcome in 148 inborn meconium-stained neonates was studied prospectively over a 5-month period. Fifty-three infants (38.5%) developed meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS). There was a significantly higher rate of MAS (p < 0.001), mechanical ventilation (p < 0.016) and hospital stay (p < 0.016) in neonates with meconium in the trachea than in neonates with no meconium in the oropharynx. The incidence of MAS was significantly higher and the duration of hospital stay longer in outborn than in inborn infants (p < 0.022).
    Matched MeSH terms: Prospective Studies
  18. Tan PC, Tey NP
    Stud Fam Plann, 1994 Jul-Aug;25(4):222-31.
    PMID: 7985216 DOI: 10.2307/2137905
    Data from the 1984 Malaysian Population and Family Survey were matched with birth registration records for 1985-87 to determine the accuracy of statements regarding desired family size that were reported in a household survey in predicting subsequent reproductive behavior. The findings of this study were that stated fertility intention provides fairly accurate forecasts of fertility behavior in the subsequent period. In other words, whether a woman has another child is predicted closely by whether she wanted an additional child. Informational, educational, and motivational activities of family planning programs would, therefore, have greater success in reducing family size if fertility intentions were taken into account.
    Matched MeSH terms: Prospective Studies
  19. Segasothy M, Chin GL, Sia KK, Zulfiqar A, Samad SA
    Br J Rheumatol, 1995 Feb;34(2):162-5.
    PMID: 7704463
    We determined the consumption of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and the prevalence of chronic renal impairment and renal papillary necrosis (RPN) in patients with various types of arthritis. Ninety-four patients with chronic arthritis who had consumed more than 1000 capsules and/or tablets of NSAIDs were studied. Renal profiles and radiological investigations such as intravenous urogram (IVU), ultrasonography (US) and computed tomography (CT) were performed to look for evidence of RPN. Twelve patients did not complete the study. Ten of the 82 patients who had completed the study (12.2%) had radiologic evidence of RPN. Five out of 53 patients (9.4%) with rheumatoid arthritis, three out of 11 patients (27.3%) with gouty arthritis and two out of seven patients (28.6%) with osteoarthritis had RPN. Renal impairment (serum creatinine levels of 125-451 mumol/l) was found in 20 patients (24.4%). The patients had consumed 1000-26,300 capsules and/or tablets over a period ranging from 1 yr to more than 30 yr. Patients with chronic arthritis who consume excessive amount of NSAIDs are at risk of developing RPN and chronic renal impairment.
    Matched MeSH terms: Prospective Studies
  20. Cheong YM, Fairuz A, Jegathesan M
    Singapore Med J, 1995 Feb;36(1):43-6.
    PMID: 7570134
    Data on bacterial resistance in patients seen by general practitioners are usually not readily available. The objective of this paper is to present the antimicrobial resistance pattern of bacteria isolated from patients seen by private practitioners in the Klang Valley. A total of 18 clinics participated in this study. From mid August 1991 to end of June 1993, 2,823 specimens were received. Throat swabs and urine specimens constituted 56% of all the specimens. A large proportion of the specimens (55%) yielded no growth or just normal flora. The common bacteria encountered were Staphylococcus aureus (18.4%), Escherichia coli (16.2%), Klebsiella spp (13.7%) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (9.3%). The S. aureus strains were mainly isolated from wound, pus and ear swabs. Not one out of the 218 strains tested was resistant to methicillin. In vitro susceptibility tests showed that 91% were resistant to penicillin while 23% were resistant to tetracycline and 13% to erythromycin. Eighty-two percent of the E. coli were isolated from urine. It was also the most common isolate from urine. Fifty percent of these strains were resistant to ampicillin, 33% to cotrimoxazole, 17% to cephalothin, 21% to ampicillin-sulbactam, 18% to amoxycillin-clavulanic acid while only 2.3% were resistant to nalidixic acid and nitrofurantoin and none to cefuroxime. Generally the gram negative bacilli encountered in general practice are less resistant to the third generation cephalosporins and aminoglycosides when compared to the hospital strains.
    Matched MeSH terms: Prospective Studies
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