Dermatoglyphic traits are formed under genetic control during early gestation and do not change through the entire life. A few studies have shown that dermatoglyphic traits were conservative in their evolution and were different between and within population groups. The objective of this study was to compare the variability of palm dermatoglyphs in three main populations i.e. Malay, Chinese, Indian and five sub-ethnic population of Negritos’ Orang Asli i.e. Bateq, Jahai, Kintak, Kensiu and Lanoh. We utilised fingerprints and palms of 390 healthy adult individuals, counted the total ridge for ten fingers
(TRC), a-b ridge counts (a-b RC) on palms, examined widening of the atd-angle, and classified the digital pattern configuration of arches, whorls, ulnar, and radial loops for all fingers. Variables obtained from both palm did not show any differences between males and females for all populations. TRC, a-b RC and atd-angle were the highest for Kensiu and were later on specially described to be in a group of its own by ANOVA and TUKEY test for TRC and a-b RC. The same test has put Chinese in a group of its own for atd-angle. Only a-b RC clearly separate Orang Asli populations from the three main races. Whorls and ulnar loops were the most predominant pattern in all groups. Malays and Chinese had similar distributional patterns for each ten fingers. Indian and Jahai similarly mimic each other, while Bateq has the reversal pattern distribution to them both. Kintak and Lanoh halfly mimics each other pattern and Kensiu had its own unique pattern. In conclusion, races, patterns, and pattern frequencies were related to each other and can be used to differentiate different races or Orang Asli
sub-ethnics. This study documents for the first time the comparative dermatoglyphic traits between Malaysian main races with Orang Asli populations show a list of informative variables that can be used to identify them as well as suggesting it’s used as a tool in tracing the etnohistorical background of populations.
A study of cancer deaths registered in the Federal Capital of Malaysia during a three-year period from 1979-1981 was carried out to analyse the cancer patterns by age, sex and ethnic group. There were altogether 2524 cancer deaths, constituting 14.5% of the total 17,446 deaths in the three years. Analysis was based on the medically certified and inspected deaths, which constituted 98.2% of the total deaths. Classification was based on the Eighth (1965) Revision of the WHO International Classification of Diseases. A detailed description of the most common cancer deaths among males and females in the total study population, and in each of the three major ethnic groups (Malays; Chinese, Indians) was carried out. Ethnic variations in mortality from some of the common cancers were described and discussed, and compared with another series based on hospital admissions.
The chance of excluding from paternity a falsely accused Chinese man and a falsely accused Malay man by using a number of blood genetic marker systems have been calculated using the ABO, Rhesus and MNSs systems, the combined chances are. 46.4% for a Chinese and 50.2% for a MaIay. When serum protein and red cell enzyme systems are included, the chances increase to approximately 76%. The chances may be increased by testing for haemoglobin variants, by red cell typing for the Diego (Di^a)
antigen, and by testing for phenotypes other than Gm(a) in the Gm system. The Kell system may in some circumstances provide evidence in favour of paternity.
The aetiology, clinical and histological features of neurilemmomas of the oral and paraoral regions are briefly outlined. Two cases of atypical neurilemmomas of the tongue are described with an intent to document the partial encapsulation and multilobular distribution of the neurogenic tissue noted in these two lesions.
BACKGROUND: Patients presenting with chronic cough pose a common diagnostic dilemma during routine consultations at public primary care clinics in Malaysia. To date, there has been little attempt at designing a standardized model or algorithm to facilitate an accurate diagnosis of chronic cough. This study proposes a clinical method to detect the causes of chronic cough in a primary care setting in Malaysia.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 117 patients aged above 18 at an urban primary care clinic were tracked over a span of 5 months to diagnose the cause of chronic cough. A therapeutic-diagnostic method was employed to help identify the causes of chronic cough. Subsequently, the demographic details of patients, the prevalence of the different causes of chronic cough and the relationship between history and diagnosis were analyzed statistically.
RESULTS: Chronic cough had a slightly higher male preponderance (51.3% vs. 48.7%). Patients within the 'above 60' age category had the highest frequency of chronic cough. The most common cause of chronic cough was post-infectious cough (n = 42, 35.9%), followed closely by angiotensin-converting enzyme-inhibitor related cough (n = 14, 12%). Majority of patients had the symptom of phlegm production (n = 41, 54%). 33 patients (29.2%) had recent upper respiratory tract infection (<2 weeks ago) prior to the diagnosis of chronic cough. There were poor association between symptoms and the various entities comprising chronic cough. The exceptions were the following associations: (1) Bronchial asthma and itchiness of throat (P = 0021), (2) gastroesophageal reflux disease and heartburn (P < 0.001), (3) upper airway cough syndrome and running nose (P = 0.016) and (4) pulmonary tuberculosis and absence of weight loss (P = 0.004).
CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that the effectiveness of a therapeutic-diagnostic technique in the diagnosis of chronic cough. Consistent with previous studies, there was poor association between most symptoms and the causes of chronic cough. A study involving a larger primary care population is required to confirm the findings found in this analysis.
KEYWORDS: Angiotensin-converting enzyme-I related cough; chronic cough; post-infectious cough; primary care; therapeutic-diagnostic evaluation
Purpose: To develop and validate the English version of the Satisfaction Questionnaire for Osteoporosis Prevention (SQOP) in Malaysia.
Methods: The SQOP was modified from the Osteoporosis Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire and developed based on literature review and patient interviews. Face and content validity were established via an expert panel. The SQOP consists of two sections: clinical services and types of counseling. There were 23 items in total, each with a five-point Likert-type response. Satisfaction score was calculated by converting the total score to a percentage. A higher score indicates higher satisfaction. English speaking, non-osteoporotic, postmenopausal women aged 50 years were included in the study. Participants were randomized to either the control or intervention group. Intervention participants were provided counseling, whereas control participants received none. Participants answered the SQOP at baseline and 2 weeks later.
Results: A total of 140 participants were recruited (control group: n=70; intervention group: n=70). No significant differences were found in any demographic aspects. Exploratory factor analysis extracted seven domains. Cronbach’s α for the domains ranged from 0.531–0.812. All 23 items were highly correlated using Spearman’s correlation coefficient 0.469–0.996 (P<0.05), with no significant change in the control group’s overall test–retest scores, indicating that the
SQOP achieved stable reliability. The intervention group had a higher score than the control group (87.91±5.99 versus 61.87±8.76; P<0.05), indicating that they were more satisfied than control participants. Flesch reading ease was 62.9.
Conclusion: The SQOP was found to be a valid and reliable instrument for assessing patients’ satisfaction towards an osteoporosis screening and prevention service in Malaysia.
Keywords: patient satisfaction, randomized controlled trial, postmenopausal women, screening
Study site: primary care clinic, tertiary hospital, Malaysia
The objective of the study was to investigate the associated factors of sleep quality and behavior among Malaysian tertiary students. The response rate to the questionnaire study was 41.0%. 1,118 students (M = 486, F = 632; mean age = 20.06 ± 1.53 years) were recruited from Universiti and Kolej Tunku Abdul Rahman (Perak campuses) who completed a sleep quality and behavior questionnaire based on Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Horne-Ostberg Morningness-Eveningness Scale (MES) and craving of high-calorie foods. Results showed that students had the following sleeping habits - bed time = 2.41 a.m. ± 3.35 hr, rise time = 9.00 a.m. ± 1.76 hr, sleep latency = 16.65 ± 14.30 min and sleep duration = 7.31 ± 1.45 hr. 32.9% of the students were defined as poor quality sleepers, 30.6% suffering excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) and 81.6% were categorized as individuals with 'definitely eveningness', defined as people who are definitely most alert in the late evening hours and prefer to go to bed late. There were no significant gender differences in sleep quality, 'chronotype' and EDS. Although there was no association of sleep quality and EDS with cumulative Grade Point Average (cGPA) and class skipping, EDS was associated with the tendency to fall asleep in class. Body Mass Index (BMI) was not associated with total sleep, PSQI, ESS and MES scores. Meanwhile, high-calorie food craving was associated with sleep duration, PSQI and ESS, but not MES. In conclusion, poor sleep behavior among Malaysian tertiary students in this study was not associated with gender, academic performance and BMI, but was associated with craving of high-calorie foods instead.
Poor adherence to prescribed medications is a major cause for treatment failure, particularly in chronic diseases such as hypertension. This study was conducted to assess adherence to medications in patients undergoing hypertensive treatment in the Primary Health Clinics of the Ministry of Health in Malaysia. Factors affecting adherence to medications were studied, and the effect of nonadherence to blood pressure control was assessed.
BACKGROUND: International students make up an increasing proportion of university students in Australia. Research suggests that they have poor sexual health knowledge compared with local students.
METHODS: Thematic analysis was undertaken on focus groups carried out at the University of Adelaide (South Australia), with 21 female international students from Malaysia and China.
RESULTS: Four themes were identified: poor sexual health knowledge; complex attitudes about premarital sex; difficulty accessing sexual health information, and poor understanding the role of general practitioners in this area; and ideas about future education.
DISCUSSION: Participants believed that international students have insufficient sexual health education when they arrive in Australia. They were concerned that some students may become more sexually active in Australia, and may not have adequate access to health services and information. All participants felt it was necessary for international students to receive better sexual health education. International students are important to Australian universities, and it should be mandatory to ensure that culturally appropriate sex education is made available to this group.
PURPOSE: TO DETERMINE: (i) the mammographic parenchymal patterns in Malaysian women and whether the breasts are dense on mammogram; (ii) the effect of age on breast density; (iii) the effect of parity on breast density; (iv) the difference in breast parenchymal patterns among the major races of women in Malaysia.
METHODS: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study of 1,784 patients (981 Malays, 571 Chinese, 214 Indians and 18 others) who had undergone mammography during the 1-year study period. Majority of women (41.7%) were aged between 51 and 60 years and majority (43%) had 3-4 children. The Tabar classification (Pattern I - V) was used to evaluate breast parenchymal patterns on mammogram. Tabar Pattern I was further divided into 3 sub-groups (Pattern IA, IB, and IC). The different patterns were then grouped into dense (IB, IC, IV, V) and not dense (IA, II, III) breasts. The SPSS package was used for statistical analysis.
RESULTS: Majority (59%) of Malaysian women had dense breasts (Pattern IB 29%, IC 20%, IV 5%, and V 5%) and 41% did not have dense breasts (Pattern IA 28%, II 6%, and III 7%). Age and parity were inversely related to breast density (p < 0.0001). Chinese women (65.7%) had the highest percentage of dense breasts (p = 0.69, odds ratio = 1.22), followed by the Indians (57.2%) and the Malays (50.5%).
CONCLUSION: Majority of women had dense breasts but Pattern IV, which has been associated with increased risk of breast cancer, was seen in only 5% of the women. The breast density reduced steadily with increasing age and parity. There was no statistically significant difference in breast density in the three main races.
KEYWORDS: Mammography; breast density; breast parenchymal patterns