MyMedR

Fulltext Anxiety and depressive symptoms among ischaemic heart disease patients in a Malaysian tertiary university hospital

Suzaily Wahab, Shamsul Azhar Shah, Soo, Tze Hui, Siti Juliana Hussin, Mohd Fekri Ahmat Nazri, Izzatul Izzanis Abd Hamid, et al.

Int J Public Health Res, 2015;5(1):531-537.

MyJurnal

Introduction Anxiety and depression were known to bring detrimental outcome in patients
with ischemic heart disease (IHD). Notwithstanding their high prevalence
and catastrophic impact, anxiety and depression were unrecognized and
untreated. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of anxiety
and depression among IHD patients and the association of this condition with
clinical and selected demographic factors.

Methods This was a cross-sectional study on 100 IHD patients admitted to medical
ward in UKMMC. Patients diagnosed to have IHD were randomly assessed
using Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Perceived Social
Support (PSS) Questionnaire. Socio-demographic data were obtained by
direct interview. Fifteen percent of IHD patients in this sample were noted to
have anxiety, fourteen percent noted to have depression while thirty two
percent was noted to have both anxiety and depression. Patients’ age group
and the duration of illness were found to have significant association with
anxiety. Socio-demographic data were obtained by direct interview.

Results Fifteen percent of IHD patients in this sample were noted to have anxiety,
fourteen percent noted to have depression while thirty two percent was noted
to have both anxiety and depression. Patients’ age group and the duration of
illness were found to have significant association with anxiety. The other
clinical and selected demographic factors such as gender, race, marital status,
education level, occupation, co-existing medical illness and social support
were not found to be significantly associated with anxiety or depression
among the IHD patients.

Conclusions In conclusion, proper assessment of anxiety and depression in IHD patients,
with special attention to patients’ age and duration of illness should be
carried out routinely to help avert detrimental consequences.

Posttraumatic growth, depression and anxiety in head and neck cancer patients: examining their patterns and correlations in a prospective study

Leong Abdullah MF, Nik Jaafar NR, Zakaria H, Rajandram RK, Mahadevan R, Mohamad Yunus MR, et al.

Psychooncology, 2015 Aug;24(8):894-900.

PMID: 25612065 DOI: 10.1002/pon.3740

Positive and negative psychological reactions have been described in head and neck cancer patients. Nevertheless, the relationships between these responses across time need to be studied to understand the patients' strengths and vulnerabilities.

Fulltext The effect of calcium with or without calcitriol supplementation on renal function in patients with hypovitaminosis d and chronic kidney disease

Mustafar R, Mohd R, Ahmad Miswan N, Cader R, Gafor HA, Mohamad M, et al.

Nephrourol Mon, 2014 Jan;6(1):e13381.

PMID: 24719814 DOI: 10.5812/numonthly.13381

Hypovitaminosis D (serum 25-OHD < 30 ng/mL) is common in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Vitamin D is believed to involve in the regulation of renin-angiotensin system and may be renoprotective.

Fulltext Restless legs syndrome and its associated risk factors in Parkinson's disease

Azmin S, Khairul Anuar AM, Nafisah WY, Tan HJ, Raymond AA, Hanita O, et al.

Parkinsons Dis, 2013;2013:535613.

PMID: 24455416 DOI: 10.1155/2013/535613

Introduction. Restless legs syndrome has been shown to negatively impact the quality of life of patients. Studies have shown an association between restless legs syndrome and Parkinson's disease. We attempted to investigate the prevalence of restless legs syndrome in Parkinson's disease patients and to identify associated risk factors. Method. This was a cross-sectional study among patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease. Exclusion criterion was a Mini Mental State Examination score of less than 21/30. The International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group criterion was used to identify patients with restless legs syndrome. Results. A total of 113 patients were recruited. The prevalence rate of restless legs syndrome in our cohort was 9.7% and was significantly associated with a younger onset of Parkinson's disease (P = 0.023), male gender (P = 0.045), higher Mini Mental State Examination score (P = 0.004), and less advanced Hoehn & Yahr stage (P = 0.014). Conclusion. The prevalence rate of restless legs syndrome in our Parkinson's disease population is in keeping with other studies published worldwide. The significance of the association between a younger onset of Parkinson's disease and restless legs syndrome needs to be further investigated.

Fulltext The effects of calcitriol with calcium carbonate supplementation on inflammatory biomarkers in chronic kidney disease patients' with low vitamin D

Mustafar RB, Mohd R, Miswan NA, Bain A, Cader R, Gafor AH, et al.

Cent Eur J Immunol, 2014;39(2):236-42.

PMID: 26155130 DOI: 10.5114/ceji.2014.43729

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients' are at risk of low vitamin D and chronic inflammation. We studied the effect of 12 weeks calcitriol and calcium carbonate supplementation on inflammatory mediators serum; interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10) and highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP).

Waist circumference and not body mass index as the outcome of a group weight intervention for patients with severe mental illness

Nik Jaafar NR, Midin M, Mahadevan R, Sinniah A, Rahman AH, Ming W, et al.

Compr Psychiatry, 2014 Jan;55 Suppl 1:S60-4.

PMID: 24139853 DOI: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2013.09.002

OBJECTIVE: Most weight interventions among patients with severe mental illness (SMI) used body mass index (BMI) as outcome measure but excluded waist circumference (WC) although the latter is a stronger predictor of obesity complications. This study aimed to assess a weight-management program consisting of education, exercise and behavioural techniques for patients with SMI using weight parameters including WC as the outcome measures.
METHODS: A group intervention was carried out as part of psychiatric outpatient community service. It used structured modules on diet, exercise and related topics comprising of education and exercises sessions with a total of 12-week duration. The participants were outpatients with SMI recruited through referrals to the program by the treating doctor. The participants' body weight, BMI and WC were measured at the baseline, fortnightly and at the end of the program.
RESULTS: A total of 27 patients participated in the program which was carried out in 6 cycles. The pre- and post-intervention comparisons analysis of the weight parameters found a significant reduction in the WC (mean=3.878 cm+5.165, p=0.001) while no significant changes were recorded in body weight and BMI.
CONCLUSION: Small but significant loss in WC and possibly weight maintenance were achieved using this non-pharmacological intervention. Modest loss in WC may have an impact on reducing the risk of obesity-related health risks.
Study site: Psychiatric clinic, Pusat Perubatan Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (PPUKM), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Physician, heal thyself: the paradox of anxiety amongst house officers and work in a teaching hospital

Tan SM, Jong SC, Chan LF, Jamaludin NA, Phang CK, Jamaluddin NS, et al.

Asia Pac Psychiatry, 2013 Apr;5 Suppl 1:74-81.

PMID: 23857841 DOI: 10.1111/appy.12048

Anxiety among house officers may impair functioning and health care delivery. This study aimed to determine the association between anxiety among house officers at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Center, sociodemographic and work-related factors.

Correlates of depression, anxiety and stress among Malaysian university students

Shamsuddin K, Fadzil F, Ismail WS, Shah SA, Omar K, Muhammad NA, et al.

Asian J Psychiatr, 2013 Aug;6(4):318-23.

PMID: 23810140 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2013.01.014

University students face not only challenges related with independent living, but also academic challenges. This predisposes them to depression, anxiety and stress, which are fairly common.

Externalizing and internalizing syndromes in relation to school truancy among adolescents in high-risk urban schools

Nik Jaafar NR, Tuti Iryani MD, Wan Salwina WI, Fairuz Nazri AR, Kamal NA, Prakash RJ, et al.

Asia Pac Psychiatry, 2013 Apr;5 Suppl 1:27-34.

PMID: 23857834 DOI: 10.1111/appy.12072

To examine the relationship between externalizing/internalizing syndromes and school truancy among Form Four (10th grade) students attending "high-risk" schools in Kuala Lumpur.

Functional remission and employment among patients with schizophrenia in Malaysia

Dahlan R, Midin M, Shah SA, Nik Jaafar NR, Abdul Rahman FN, Baharudin A, et al.

Compr Psychiatry, 2014 Jan;55 Suppl 1:S46-51.

PMID: 23679983 DOI: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2013.03.007

The study aimed to determine the rates of functional remission and employment as well as the factors associated with functional remission among patients with Schizophrenia, receiving community psychiatric service in an urban setting in Malaysia.

Behavioral and emotional problems in a Kuala Lumpur children's home

Abd Rahman FN, Mohd Daud TI, Nik Jaafar NR, Shah SA, Tan SM, Wan Ismail WS

Pediatr Int, 2013 Aug;55(4):422-7.

PMID: 23617604 DOI: 10.1111/ped.12115

There is a dearth of studies on behavioral and emotional problems in residential care children in Malaysia. This study describes the behavioral and emotional problems in a sample of children in a government residential care home and compares them with their classmates living with their birth parents.

The use of warning lights and siren by the ambulance crew in the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre

Ismail AK, Mohd Salleh NI, Hamdan NA, Mohd Jawi MI, Abdul Razak SN, Md Jamal S, et al.

Eur J Emerg Med, 2012 Dec;19(6):408-9.

PMID: 22343753 DOI: 10.1097/MEJ.0b013e328351e62e

Eight year survival among breast cancer Malaysian women from University Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre

Al-Naggar RA, Isa ZM, Shah SA, Nor MI, Chen R, Ismail F, et al.

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2009;10(6):1075-8.

PMID: 20192587

Survival after diagnosis of cancer is one of the major outcome measurements and a key criterion for assessing quality of cancer control related to both the preventive and the therapeutic level. The purpose of this study was to determine the 8-year survival time in Malaysia based on socio-demographic and clinical characteristics. A retrospective study of 472 Malaysian women with breast cancer from the Medical Record Department at University Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC) was therefore performed with survival analysis carried out using the Kaplan-Meier with log-rank test for univariate analysis and Cox-regression for multivariate analysis. Women who had cancer or family history of cancer had a longer 8-year survival time (p = 0.008) compared with others who did not have such a history. Tamoxifen use, positive oestrogen receptor status, and race were prognostic indicators for 8-year survival time (p = 0.036, p = 0.018, p = 0.053, respectively) in univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis showed that being Malays and having no family history of cancer were independent prognostic factors for shorter survival time (p = 0.008, p = 0.012, respectively). In conclusion, being Chinese and having a family history of cancer are predictors of longer survival among the Malaysian breast cancer women.

Serum Vitamin D levels in patients with chronic kidney disease

Rozita M, Noorul Afidza M, Ruslinda M, Cader R, Halim AG, Kong CT, et al.

EXCLI J, 2013;12:511-20.

PMID: 26933400

Hypovitaminosis D is reported to be associated with several medical complications. Recent studies have reported a high worldwide prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency in the general population (up to 80 %). This is even higher in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and increases with advancing stages of CKD.

Poor Knowledge and Practice Towards Breast Cancer among Women in Baghdad City, Iraq

Hasan TN, Shah SA, Hassan MR, Safian N, Azhar ZI, Syed Abdul Rahim SS, et al.

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2015;16(15):6669-72.

PMID: 26434892

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among females worldwide. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and practice about breast cancer and its related factors among women in Baghdad city, Iraq.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 508 women aged 18 to 55 years from four non-governmental organizations (NGO) in Baghdad city, Iraq. A self-administered questionnaire on breast cancer knowledge and practice was distributed to participants during weekly activity of the NGO.

RESULTS: A total of 61.2% of the respondents had poor knowledge, only 30.3% performed breast self-examination (BSE) and 41.8% said that they did not know the technique to perform BSE. Associations between knowledge and marital status and age were significant. For practice, working status, education, age and family income were significant. After controlling for cofounders, the most important contributing factors for poor knowledge among respondents were marital status and not performing BSE, with adjusted odds ratio of 1.6 and 1.8 respectively.

CONCLUSIONS: Breast cancer knowledge and practice of BSE are poor among women in Baghdad city, Iraq. More promotion regarding breast cancer signs and symptoms and also how to perform BSE should be conducted using media such as television and internet as these constituted the main sources of information for most women in our study.

Vaccine hesitancy towards childhood immunisation amongst urban pregnant mothers in Malaysia

Kalok A, Loh SYE, Chew KT, Abdul Aziz NH, Shah SA, Ahmad S, et al.

Vaccine, 2020 02 24;38(9):2183-2189.

PMID: 32001070 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2020.01.043

BACKGROUND: Vaccine hesitancy is a complex behaviour which involves various degrees of indecision about specific vaccines or vaccination uptake. Access to antenatal care had been associated with positive vaccine behavior.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of vaccine hesitancy towards childhood immunisation amongst urban pregnant mothers and the associated socio-demographic factors.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1081 women who received antenatal care at a teaching hospital in Kuala Lumpur. Vaccine hesitancy was assessed using the Parent Attitudes about Childhood Vaccines (PACV) Survey in both English and validated Malay versions. The sociodemographic data of the mothers and their partners, source of vaccine information and reasons for hesitancy were analysed.

RESULTS: Eighty-six (8.0%) pregnant mothers were vaccine hesitant. Ethnicity, religion, number of children, educational level and employment status were significantly associated with vaccine hesitancy. Multivariable analysis showed that a low level of education was the most significant risk factor (p

Fulltext Factors Associated with Happiness among Malaysian Elderly

Shah SA, Safian N, Ahmad S, Wan Ibadullah WAH, Mohammad ZB, Nurumal SR, et al.

Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2021 04 06;18(7).

PMID: 33917528 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18073831

Happiness is an essential component to experience healthy ageing. Hence, understanding the factors that contribute to happiness is important. This study aimed to determine the factors associated with happiness among the elderly population in Malaysia. In this study, 1204 respondents were recruited from urban and rural areas in Selangor. A face-to-face interview was conducted using the Bahasa Malaysia version of the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study questionnaire. The inclusion criteria include Malaysians who are 60-years old and above and can converse in the Malaysian language. Those who encounter less than seven scores for the Abbreviated Mental Test were excluded from the study. Among the 1204 respondents, 953 (79.2%) were happy. Sociodemographic characteristics showed that being a men, age of 60 to 74 years, and living in urban areas were significantly associated with happiness. A logistic regression model showed that locality (aOR 1.61), income category (Bottom 40% aOR 0.49; Middle-class group 40% aOR 1.40), social engagement (active aOR 1.77; less active aOR 1.25), receiving emotional support (aOR 2.11) and handgrip strength (aOR 1.02) were significantly associated with happiness. Thus, ensuring the elderly population in receiving emotional support and active social engagement among them can enhance their happiness level.

Fulltext Role of febuxostat in retarding progression of diabetic kidney disease with asymptomatic hyperuricemia: A 6-months open-label, randomized controlled trial

Mukri MNA, Kong WY, Mustafar R, Shaharir SS, Shah SA, Abdul Gafor AH, et al.

EXCLI J, 2018;17:563-575.

PMID: 30108461 DOI: 10.17179/excli2018-1256

Introduction: Hyperuricemia is associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression and poor cardiovascular outcomes. We studied the effect of febuxostat on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), proteinuria and monitored the safety profile of the medication.
Material and Methods: This is a prospective open-label, randomized study in CKD stage 3 and 4 patients with diabetic nephropathy and asymptomatic hyperuricemia. Patients were randomized into febuxostat 40 mg daily and no treatment group using block randomization method and were followed up for 6 months. Their usual care for diabetes mellitus, hypertension and dyslipidemia were continued in the study. Blood and urine investigations were monitored at baseline, 3 months and 6 months.
Results: The eGFR in febuxostat group was stabilized at 6 months with no significant reduction [26.2 (IQR 14.30) at baseline to 26.3 (IQR 15.2) ml/min/1.73 m2]. Whereas, there was a significant reduction of the eGFR in no treatment group from 28.2 (IQR 17.9) to 27.6 (IQR 19.3) ml/min/1.73 m2 (p value < 0.01). We found the HbA1c (glycosylated hemoglobin) was significantly increased in febuxostat group from 7.2 ± 0.5 % at baseline to 7.6 ± 1.4 at 6 months (p value 0.04) but no significant change of HbA1c in the no treatment group. Proteinuria level was unchanged in both groups. The commonest adverse event was joint pain.
Conclusions: Febuxostat was able to preserve eGFR in CKD patients with diabetic nephropathy and this effect was beyond glycemic control. Increment of HbA1c level in febuxostat group needs further larger trials.
Study site: Chronic kidney disease clinic, Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz, Pusat Perubatan Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (PPUKM), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Serum and urine interleukin-17A levels as biomarkers of disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus

Nordin F, Shaharir SS, Abdul Wahab A, Mustafar R, Abdul Gafor AH, Mohamed Said MS, et al.

Int J Rheum Dis, 2019 Aug;22(8):1419-1426.

PMID: 31179646 DOI: 10.1111/1756-185X.13615

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the correlations of both serum and urine interleukin-17A (IL-17A) levels with disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This study was also aimed at determining their sensitivity and specificity as biomarkers of disease activity in SLE.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed involving SLE patients (n = 120 patients) from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC). Serum and urinary IL-17A levels were determined by immunoassay while disease activity was assessed using Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index-2000 (SLEDAI-2K) and British Isles Lupus Assessment Group's 2004 index (BILAG 2004) scores. The correlations between serum and urinary IL-17A levels with total SLEDAI-2K and BILAG 2004 scores were determined using bivariate correlation analyses. Receiver operating characteristic curves were calculated to determine their sensitivity and specificity as disease activity biomarkers.

RESULTS: Both serum and urinary IL-17A levels correlated with total scores of BILAG 2004, BILAG renal, BILAG mucocutaneous, and SLEDAI-2K (P

Fulltext Utilization of complementary and alternative medicine in multiethnic population: The Malaysian Cohort Study

Abdullah N, Borhanuddin B, Patah AEA, Abdullah MS, Dauni A, Kamaruddin MA, et al.

J Evid Based Integr Med, 2018 4 14;23:2515690X18765945.

PMID: 29651870 DOI: 10.1177/2515690X18765945

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to identify the factors of CAM usage for general health and to determine the factors associated with the usage of different types of CAM after the diagnosis of chronic diseases among The Malaysian Cohort participants.
METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study derived from The Malaysian Cohort (TMC) project, a prospective population-based cohort aged between 35 to 65 years old that recruited from April 2006 to September 2012. Association between the CAM usage and contributing factors were determined via logistic regression.
RESULTS: The sample were mostly female (58.1%), Malays (43.1%), came from urban (71.9%), aged 44 years and below (26.8%) and had secondary education (45.9%). The prevalence of CAM usage varied across diseases; 62.8% in cancer patients, 53.3% in hypercholesterolemia, 49.4% in hypertensives and 48.6% in diabetics. General CAM usage was greater among female (OR: 1.54, 95% CI: 1.49, 1.59), Chinese (OR: 1.15, 95% CI: 1.12, 1.19), those with higher education (OR: 3.12, 95% CI: 3.00, 3.25), urban residents (OR: 1.55, 95% CI: 1.50, 1.61) and older people (OR ranging from 1.15 to 1.75) while for post-diagnosis of chronic diseases usage, the odds were higher among those with lower education and living in rural areas.
CONCLUSION: Health status, educational level, age, living location and types of chronic diseases were significant factors that influence CAM usage for the intent of either health maintenance or disease treatment. Further exploration on CAM safety and benefit are crucial to minimize the adverse effect and to ensure the efficacy of CAM product.
Study name: The Malaysian Cohort (TMC) project

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