MyMedR

Treatment with olanzapine, risperidone or typical antipsychotic drugs in Asian patients with schizophrenia

Lee C, Wu KH, Habil H, Dyachkova Y, Lee P

Aust N Z J Psychiatry, 2006 May;40(5):437-45.

To examine clinical outcomes in Asian patients with schizophrenia receiving monotherapy with olanzapine, risperidone or typical antipsychotics in naturalistic settings.

Matched MeSH terms: Severity of Illness Index

Quality of life and psychological status in survivors of severe acute respiratory syndrome at 3 months postdischarge

Kwek SK, Chew WM, Ong KC, Ng AW, Lee LS, Kaw G, et al.

J Psychosom Res, 2006 May;60(5):513-9.

PMID: 16650592

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the long-term consequence of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). We carried out an assessment on SARS patients after their recovery from their acute illness.

METHOD: Postal survey comprising Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) questionnaires and anxiety and depression measures was sent to them at 3 months' postdischarge.

RESULTS: There was a significant impairment in both the HRQoL and mental functioning. Forty-one percent had scores indicative of a posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD); about 30% had likely anxiety and depression.

CONCLUSION: SARS has significant impact on HRQoL and psychological status at 3 months.

Matched MeSH terms: Severity of Illness Index

Fulltext Pain management: trends and challenges

Cardosa MS

Med J Malaysia, 2006 Jun;61(2):139-41.

PMID: 16898301

Pain remains as one of the most common reasons for visits to a doctor. The paper by Zalinawati et all published in this issue of the Journal confirmed this in two primary care settings, showing that a complaint of pain was recorded in almost a third of patients, similar to the prevalence reported in European studies.

Matched MeSH terms: Severity of Illness Index

Indicators of prolonged hospital stay in hyperemesis gravidarum

Tan PC, Jacob R, Quek KF, Omar SZ

Int J Gynaecol Obstet, 2006 Jun;93(3):246-7.

PMID: 16682037

Matched MeSH terms: Severity of Illness Index

Fulltext Blood pressure variability and arterial elasticity in hypertensive subjects

Rafidah HM, Azizi A, Noriah MN

Med J Malaysia, 2006 Jun;61(2):189-98.

PMID: 16898310 MyJurnal

Apart from the mean 24 hour ambulatory blood pressure (ABP), the blood pressure variability (BPV) also bears an independent relationship with target-organ damage in hypertension. A reduction in arterial compliance has been demonstrated in hypertension but its relation to BPV is still unknown. The aim of the study is to compare BPV and arterial compliance between hypertensive and normotensive subjects. Eighteen hypertensives and 18 controls were enrolled. Noninvasive 24-hour ABP monitoring was performed with BR-102 monitor (Schiller Inc. Germany). Arterial compliance was determined by the HDI/Pulsewave Research Cardiovascular Profiling Instrument (Hypertension Diagnostic Inc. USA). There were significantly higher systolic, diastolic and mean arterial BPV in hypertensives as compared to normotensive group. Only systolic BPV remained significantly high in hypertensives during night time. There were lower arterial compliances in hypertensive as compared to normotensive group. No significant relationship however was found between BPV and arterial compliance in hypertensive subjects. In conclusion, there were higher BPV and lower arterial compliances in hypertensive subjects as compared to normotensive subjects.

Matched MeSH terms: Severity of Illness Index

Fulltext Malignant myeloid transformation in a child with severe congenital neutropenia (Kostmann's syndrome)

Chong LA, Josephine P, Ariffin H

Med J Malaysia, 2006 Jun;61(2):236-8.

PMID: 16898320 MyJurnal

We report a case of a child with severe congenital neutropenia (Kostmann's syndrome) who was treated with daily prophylactic subcutaneous granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) from the age of eight to sixteen years before being discontinued for poor haematological and clinical response. She did not have a HLA-matched sibling to enable bone marrow transplantation. She subsequently developed acute megakaryoblastic leukemia at the age of 17 years and succumbed during induction chemotherapy. The role of G-CSF in the pathogenesis of her malignant transformation to AML is complicated as this disorder has a propensity for myelodysplasia or AML as part of its natural history.

Matched MeSH terms: Severity of Illness Index

Accuracy of 64-row multidetector computed tomography in detecting coronary artery disease in 134 symptomatic patients: influence of calcification

Ong TK, Chin SP, Liew CK, Chan WL, Seyfarth MT, Liew HB, et al.

Am Heart J, 2006 Jun;151(6):1323.e1-6.

PMID: 16781246

The new 64-row multidetector computed tomography (CT)-assisted angiography can now detect coronary artery disease with shorter breath-hold time and at faster heart rates for symptomatic patients. We aim to determine if the 64-row scanner can also overcome limitations due to mild to moderate calcification.

Matched MeSH terms: Severity of Illness Index

Safety and efficacy of rapid dose administration of quetiapine in bipolar mania

Hatim A, Habil H, Jesjeet SG, Low CC, Joseph J, Jambunathan ST, et al.

Hum Psychopharmacol, 2006 Jul;21(5):313-8.

PMID: 16856220

In this open-label pilot study, 20 adult patients hospitalized for acute bipolar mania received oral quetiapine as a single evening dose of 200 mg on day 1, increased by 200 mg/day on days 2, 3, and 4 until 800 mg/day taken in 2 divided doses on day 4. From day 5 onward, patients received a flexible total dose of 400-800 mg/day until completion of 3 weeks of treatment. Safety and tolerability were assessed by adverse-event (AE)-related dropouts in week 1, incidence of AEs including EPS, changes in electrocardiogram, and vital signs. Efficacy was assessed using the YMRS, PANSS, and CGI scales. Nineteen of 20 patients (95%) completed the quetiapine rapid titration during week 1. Significant improvement was observed in YMRS, PANSS, and CGI Severity of Illness scores by day 5, and was maintained throughout the study. A reduction of > or = 50% in YMRS score was achieved by 75% of patients by day 7, and maintained to day 21. Overall, 20% of patients discontinued due to AEs. Agitation was the most common cause of AE-related study discontinuation. Thirty-five per cent of patients required dose adjustment due to AEs after rapid dose administration was completed. Most patients tolerated rapid titration of quetiapine to 800 mg/day by day 4 of therapy, with a significant improvement in manic symptoms by day 7 of treatment.

Matched MeSH terms: Severity of Illness Index

Vessel density ratio: A novel approach to identify "culprit" coronary lesion by spiral computed tomography

Chin BS, Ong TK, Seyfarth TM, Liew CK, Chan WL, Rapaee A, et al.

J Comput Assist Tomogr, 2006 7 18;30(4):564-8.

PMID: 16845284

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: We hypothesized that a "culprit" lesion in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) should have low overall vessel lumen and plaque density on multidetector computed tomography-assisted coronary angiography (MDCTA) because of lower calcification and the presence of occlusive thrombus. However, thrombi and calcification both can themselves blur the demarcation between vessel wall and lumen. If we calculated a "vessel density ratio" (VDR) obtained by measuring the mean density of contrast-enhancement within a region of interest (ROI), which includes the vessel wall, lumen, plaque, and thrombus, and comparing that with the aortic root mean density acting as a reference point, this ratio may be more convenient, standardized, and reproducible to test the feasibility of VDR in identifying "culprit" lesions in ACS.

METHODS: Sixty-four patients-21 exertional angina; 17 unstable angina/non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI); 26 ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)-provided 188 diseased segments on conventional angiography. All underwent MDCTA within a week of angiography. ROI was mapped out from maximum intensity projections of diseased segments in planar view.

RESULTS: One hundred seventy-four segments were evaluated. Patients who presented with ACS (STEMI and unstable angina/non-ST elevation myocardial infarction) had lower mean VDR compared to patients with exertional angina (0.58 vs. 0.66 vs. 0.81; P < 0.001). Culprit lesions in ACS patients also had the lowest mean VDR when compared to nonculprit lesions and lesions in patients without ACS (0.51 vs. 0.68 vs. 0.81; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: VDR is a new, convenient, and standardized approach in identifying "culprit" lesions by MDCTA.

Matched MeSH terms: Severity of Illness Index

Clinical predictors of intractable childhood epilepsy

Gururaj A, Sztriha L, Hertecant J, Eapen V

J Psychosom Res, 2006 Sep;61(3):343-7.

PMID: 16938512

This study aimed to determine the clinical, electroencephalographic, and radiological factors associated with medically intractable seizures in children in the Al Ain Medical District in the United Arab Emirates.

Matched MeSH terms: Severity of Illness Index

Study of prevalence, treatment-seeking behavior, and risk factors of women with lower urinary tract symptoms in Northern Malaysia

Low BY, Liong ML, Yuen KH, Chong WL, Chee C, Leong WS, et al.

Urology, 2006 Oct;68(4):751-8.

PMID: 17070347

To determine the prevalence, severity, and quality-of-life (QOL) impact of female lower urinary tract symptoms (FLUTS); to determine the patterns, reasons, and factors contributing to the women's treatment-seeking behavior; and to describe the relationship between the social demographic characteristics and FLUTS.

Matched MeSH terms: Severity of Illness Index

Serum IL-6 and IL-1-ra with sequential organ failure assessment scores in septic patients receiving high-volume haemofiltration and continuous venovenous haemofiltration

Ghani RA, Zainudin S, Ctkong N, Rahman AF, Wafa SR, Mohamad M, et al.

Nephrology (Carlton), 2006 Oct;11(5):386-93.

PMID: 17014550

Sepsis is characterized by an uncontrolled release of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory mediators leading to immunoparalysis, cellular and humoral dysfunction, multiorgan dysfunction and death. This study evaluated the efficacy of high-volume haemofiltration (HVHF) compared with continuous venovenous haemofiltration (CVVH) in removing these inflammatory mediators. Clinical responses were assessed with the sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score.

Matched MeSH terms: Severity of Illness Index

Readmission risk and metabolic, biochemical, haematological and clinical indicators of severity in hyperemesis gravidarum

Tan PC, Jacob R, Quek KF, Omar SZ

Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol, 2006 Oct;46(5):446-50.

PMID: 16953861

In a retrospective analysis of 192 cases of presumed hyperemesis gravidarum, there were no biochemical markers that predicted hospital readmission. There was, however, statistically significant negative predictive value in abnormal liver function tests. This could represent acute self-limited illness with a component of hepatitis as the cause for the clinical presentation, rather than hyperemesis.

Matched MeSH terms: Severity of Illness Index

A study on the knowledge, attitudes and practices of Southeast Asian dermatologists in the management of atopic dermatitis

Chan YC, Tay YK, Sugito TL, Boediardja SA, Chau DD, Nguyen KV, et al.

Ann Acad Med Singap, 2006 Nov;35(11):794-803.

PMID: 17160196

INTRODUCTION: This study evaluated the knowledge, attitudes and practices of Southeast Asian dermatologists in the management of atopic dermatitis (AD).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A questionnaire survey of 255 dermatologists in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

RESULTS: Familiarity with diagnostic criteria varied considerably. The usage of moisturisers by the respondents from Vietnam and Indonesia was significantly less frequent than the other countries. Most respondents (91% to 100%) used topical corticosteroids in children with mild-to-moderately severe dermatitis. Some respondents in the Philippines (17% to 19%) and Vietnam (11% to 25%) only used topical corticosteroids for severe disease. For infected eczema, most respondents would prescribe systemic antibiotics for mild-to-moderate infection. A minority in the Philippines (14%) and Vietnam (11%) did so only for severe infection. The top 4 systemic antibiotics prescribed most frequently were: erythromycin, cloxacillin, cephalosporin and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid. In Indonesia, a large proportion of the respondents (47%) prescribed amoxicillin most frequently. The majority of respondents (60% to 100%) prescribed both sedating and non-sedating oral antihistamines. Most respondents used oral corticosteroids to treat severe AD. Some in Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam used cyclosporin (7% to 58%), azathioprine (5% to 31%) and methotrexate (5% to 14%). With the exception of those in Singapore, the majority of respondents (71% to 97%) did not use phototherapy.

CONCLUSION: Familiarity with diagnostic criteria, the early and judicious use of moisturisers and topical corticosteroids, as well as the treatment of Staphylococcus aureus superinfection with penicillinase-stable antibiotics should be emphasised in this region.

Matched MeSH terms: Severity of Illness Index

Fulltext Prevalence and correlations of lower urinary tract symptoms, erectile dysfunction and incontinence in men from a multiethnic Asian population: Results of a regional population-based survey and comparison with industrialized nations

Mariappan P, Chong WL

BJU Int, 2006 Dec;98(6):1264-8.

PMID: 17034498

OBJECTIVE: To determine, in a population-based survey, the prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), erectile dysfunction (ED) and incontinence in community-dwelling men in multiethnic Malaysia, as currently available Western demographic data might not be applicable in the Asian population.
SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional population-based survey was carried out in the State of Penang, Malaysia, with a target population of men aged > or = 40 years. Using a multistage study design, random systematic sampling was used to represent the target population, who were weighted based on ethnicity and rural-urban ratios so as to represent the general population distribution. Trained field-workers conducted direct interviews and administered the American Urological Association Symptom Index (AUA-SI), the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) questionnaire and questions on incontinence based on the International Continence Society 2002 definition.
RESULTS: In all, 418 men aged > or = 40 years were interviewed, of whom 353 completed the AUA-SI questionnaire (84.5% response rate). The prevalence of mild, moderate and severe LUTS was 80.6%, 6% and 0.3%, respectively. The prevalent symptoms were frequency and nocturia. There was moderate and severe ED in 45.9% of men, whereas incontinence was reported by 8.2%. The AUA-SI correlated strongly with age (R = 0.291, P < 0.001), IIEF-5 (R = - 0.265, P < 0.001) and diabetes mellitus.
CONCLUSION: The prevalence and severity of LUTS, ED and incontinence increased with age in this multiethnic Asian population, in which ED correlated strongly with LUTS. Compared to the Western population, the prevalence of LUTS was significantly lower, while the prevalence of ED and incontinence were comparable.

Matched MeSH terms: Severity of Illness Index

Time-level relationship between indicators of oxidative stress and Glasgow Coma Scale scores of severe head injury patients

Nayak C, Nayak D, Raja A, Rao A

Clin Chem Lab Med, 2006;44(4):460-3.

PMID: 16599841

Oxidative stress is said to strongly influence the neurological recovery of patients following a severe head injury. Estimation of the markers of oxidative stress in the blood of such patients can hence aid in predicting the prognosis of head injury.

Matched MeSH terms: Severity of Illness Index

Fulltext Dietary calcium and bone mineral density in premenopausal women with systemic lupus erythematosus

Chong HC, Chee SS, Goh EM, Chow SK, Yeap SS

Clin Rheumatol, 2007 Feb;26(2):182-5.

PMID: 16565892 DOI: 10.1007/s10067-006-0258-6

The primary objective of this study was to determine the relationship between dietary calcium intake and bone mineral density (BMD) in premenopausal women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) on corticosteroids (CS). The secondary aim was to identify other risk factors for osteoporosis in these patients. A cross-sectional sample of patients attending the SLE Clinic at a teaching hospital was recruited. BMD was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Daily dietary calcium intake was assessed using a structured validated food frequency questionnaire, in which patients were asked to estimate their food intake based on their recent 2-month dietary habits. Sixty subjects were recruited with a mean age of 33.70+/-8.46 years. The median duration of CS use was 5.5 years (range 0.08-24). The median cumulative dose of steroids was 17.21 g (range 0.16-91.37). The median daily dietary calcium intake was 483 mg (range 78-2101). There was no significant correlation between calcium intake and BMD, even after correcting for CS use. There were also no correlations between BMD and the duration of SLE, cumulative CS use, duration of CS use, smoking, alcohol intake, and SLE disease activity index score. Twenty-eight (46.7%) patients had normal BMD, 28 (46.7%) had osteopenia, and four (6.6%) had osteoporosis. Duration of SLE significantly correlated with cumulative CS dosage. In conclusion, 6.7% of these Asian premenopausal SLE women had osteoporosis and only 46.7% had normal BMD. Daily dietary calcium intake did not correlate with BMD.
Study site: SLE clinic, University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Matched MeSH terms: Severity of Illness Index

Prediction of severe hyperbilirubinaemia using the Bilicheck transcutaneous bilirubinometer

Boo NY, Ishak S

J Paediatr Child Health, 2007 Apr;43(4):297-302.

PMID: 17444833

To determine the sensitivity and specificity of different levels of bilirubin measured by the transcutaneous bilirubinometer Bilicheck on forehead and sternum for predicting severe hyperbilirubinaemia of total serum bilirubin (TSB)>or=300 micromol/L in Malay, Chinese and Indian infants.

Matched MeSH terms: Severity of Illness Index*

Sarcoidosis in Singapore: epidemiology, clinical presentation and ethnic differences

Anantham D, Ong SJ, Chuah KL, Fook-Chong S, Hsu A, Eng P

Respirology, 2007 May;12(3):355-60.

PMID: 17539838

The aim of this study is to better understand the epidemiological and clinical features of patients with sarcoidosis in Singapore and to ascertain if ethnic differences exist.

Matched MeSH terms: Severity of Illness Index

Time-relative changes in the erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme activities and their relationship with Glasgow Coma Scale scores in severe head injury patients in the 21-day posttraumatic study period

Nayak CD, Nayak DM, Raja A, Rao A

Indian J Med Sci, 2007 Jul;61(7):381-9.

PMID: 17611343

BACKGROUND: Reactive oxygen species are indicated to play a prime role in the pathophysiology of brain damage following a severe head injury (SHI).

AIM: The current study was designed to understand the time-relative changes and relationship between erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme activities and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores of SHI patients in the 21-day posttraumatic study period.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN: The study included 24 SHI patients and 25 age- and sex-matched normal controls (NC). Activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were assayed in these patients and controls. The GCS scores of these patients were also recorded for the comparative study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Venous blood samples were collected on day 7 (D7) and D21 from SHI patients and NC for the assay of SOD, GR and GSH-Px activities. These changes were correlated with age and changes in GCS scores of patients.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare mean values of each parameter between group 1 (NC), group 2 (D7 changes in SHI patients) and group 3 (D21 changes in SHI patients). ANOVA was followed by Bonferroni post hoc tests. The Pearson correlation was applied to correlate between the antioxidant parameters and age and GCS scores of these patients.

RESULTS: A significant increase in erythrocyte SOD and GSH-Px activities was observed in group 3 as compared to groups 1 and 2. The increase in GSH-Px activity was significant in group 2 as compared to group 1. Although not significant, there was an increase in mean GR activity in groups 2 and 3 as compared to group 1.

CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that SHI patients have shown significantly enhanced erythrocyte SOD and GSH-Px activities during the 21-day posttraumatic study period.

Matched MeSH terms: Severity of Illness Index

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