Displaying publications 1481 - 1500 of 2312 in total

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  1. Prevalence of snoring and sleep breathing-related disorders in Chinese, Malay and Indian adults in Singapore
    Ng TP, Seow A, Tan WC
    Eur Respir J, 1998 Jul;12(1):198-203.
    PMID: 9701437
    This study investigated the prevalence of snoring and symptoms of sleep breathing-related disorders in the multi-ethnic population of Singapore (3 million people, comprising 75% Chinese, 15% Malay and 7% Indian). A multistaged, area cluster, disproportionate stratified, random sampling of adults aged 20-74 yrs was used to obtain a sample of 2,298 subjects (65% response), with approximately equal numbers of Chinese, Malay and Indian and in each 10 yr age group. An interviewer-administered field questionnaire was used to record symptoms of snoring and breathing disturbances during sleep witnessed by a room-mate and other personal and health-related data. The weighted point estimate (and 95% confidence interval) of the whole population prevalence of snoring was 6.8% (53-83). There were pronounced ethnic differences among Chinese, 6.2% (4.4-8.1); Malay, 8.1% (6.1-10.2) and Indian, 10.9% (85-13.4). The minimum whole population prevalence by the most restricted symptom criteria for defining sleep breathing-related disorder was 0.43% (0.05-0.8%). Similar marked ethnic differences in rates were observed using various symptom criteria. The ethnic differences in sleep breathing symptoms paralleled the differences in body mass index, neck circumference and hypertension, but statistically significant differences remained after adjustment for sex, age and these known associated factors. Marked ethnic differences in snoring and sleep breathing-related disorders were observed in Chinese, Malays and Indians in Singapore, which were only partly explained by known factors of sex, age and body habitus.
    Matched MeSH terms: China/ethnology
  2. Trigeminal neuralgia. A retrospective survey of a sample of patients in Singapore and Malaysia
    Loh HS, Ling SY, Shanmuhasuntharam P, Zain R, Yeo JF, Khoo SP
    Aust Dent J, 1998 Jun;43(3):188-91.
    PMID: 9707784
    This survey was undertaken to study the clinical features of trigeminal neuralgia in an Asian population. Demographic data of 44 patients treated at the Dental Faculty of the National University of Singapore and at the University of Malaya were reviewed. The results of the survey were analysed and comparisons made with those of Caucasian patients as reported in other studies where there was a general similarity in the clinical findings. Trigeminal neuralgia presented predominantly in females. Right-sided involvement occurred at a greater frequency, and the peak age at onset was between the sixth and seventh decades of life. The only significant variant in the present sample was the greater involvement of the mandibular branch of the trigeminal nerve rather than the maxillary division. In addition, there was a much greater representation from Chinese patients over Malays as compared with their ratios in the general population.
    Matched MeSH terms: China/ethnology
  3. Fulltext A Malaysian Well Person's Clinic--review of patients seen between April and December 1995
    Chan SC
    Med J Malaysia, 1997 Mar;52(1):53-9.
    PMID: 10968053
    The Well Man & Well Woman's Clinic in Ipoh Hospital provides screening for coronary risk factors and early detection of cancer. This retrospective review of 1095 patients screened between April and December 1995 showed 48% had one or more coronary risk factors--1 risk (29%), 2 risks (14%), 3 or more risks (5%). Modifiable risks included hypertension (10%), obesity (9%), diabetes mellitus (8%) and smoking (7%). Sixteen abnormal Papanicolaou smears and six cancers (three cervical, two breast and one ovarian) were detected. Public response was good. There is a need for clinics offering comprehensive screening in Malaysian primary health care.

    Study site: The Well Man & Well Woman's Clinic in Ipoh Hospital
    Matched MeSH terms: China/ethnology
  4. Oral healthy conditions in Cocos (Keeling) and Christmas Islands children
    Riordan PJ, Panaeff C
    Community Dent Oral Epidemiol, 1996 Feb;24(1):85-6.
    PMID: 8833521
    Matched MeSH terms: China/ethnology
  5. Prevalence of dental fluorosis in children in Singapore
    Lo GL, Bagramian RA
    Community Dent Oral Epidemiol, 1996 Feb;24(1):25-7.
    PMID: 8833510
    Prevalence and severity of dental fluorosis was assessed in 1739 Singaporean children aged 9, 12 and 16 yr in three different ethnic groups. All subjects had resided since birth in Singapore, which has a tropical climate. The water supply was fluoridated in 1957 at a level of 0.7 ppm. In this sample, mouth prevalence was 82.6%, tooth prevalence was 66.9%, the community fluorosis index was at 1.96; 9.2% of children had severe fluorosis and 26.2% had moderate fluorosis. There were no significant gender or racial differences. Prevalences were higher than those reported in most other studies. Due to differences in indices used and methodology, comparisons could not be made directly with other studies.
    Matched MeSH terms: China/ethnology
  6. Sex preference and fertility in Peninsular Malaysia
    Pong SL
    Stud Fam Plann, 1994 May-Jun;25(3):137-48.
    PMID: 7940619 DOI: 10.2307/2137940
    This study uses data from the Second Malaysian Family Life Survey, conducted in 1988, to examine parents' preferences for the sex of their children within each of Malaysia's three ethnic groups. While Malay and Indian parents do not show a consistent sex preference, Chinese parents prefer to have all sons, or a combination of sons and daughters, with more sons than daughters, or at least an equal number of them. Son preference among the Chinese does not seem to be a constraint to fertility decline among that population. Since 1970, Chinese fertility has dropped rapidly; at the same time, Chinese son preference has become more pronounced. Evidence indicates that further reductions in Chinese fertility, through the reduction in sex preference, would be small.
    Matched MeSH terms: China/ethnology
  7. Ethnic differences in normal spirometric lung function of Malaysian children
    Azizi BH, Henry RL
    Respir Med, 1994 May;88(5):349-56.
    PMID: 8036303
    Spirometric recordings of 1098 Malaysian children who were free of respiratory symptoms were examined by least square regression analysis of log-transformed lung function data. Ethnic differences were observed in FVC, FEV1, and FEF25-75 independent of father's education, exposure to passive smoking, wood stove, kerosene stove and mosquito repellents, family history of chest illness and history of allergy, after adjusting for standing height, age and sex. Exposure to kerosene stove was significantly associated with reduced FVC and FEV1 indicating that environmental factors may impair lung function in symptomless children. Prediction equations were derived for each ethnic group and sex. Comparison with data from the literature showed that Malaysian children had lower lung function values than Caucasian children. Generally, Chinese children had higher FEV1, FVC and FEF25-75 than Malay and Indian children. Indian children consistently had the lowest lung function values. Since these ethnic differences were independent of environmental and other host factors, anthropometric variations could be an explanation.
    Matched MeSH terms: China/ethnology
  8. Fulltext A microbiological study of genital ulcers in Kuala Lumpur
    Zainah S, Cheong YM, Sinniah M, Gan AT, Akbal K
    Med J Malaysia, 1991 Sep;46(3):274-82.
    PMID: 1839925
    The microbial aetiology of genital ulcers was studied in 249 patients (241 men and 8 women) attending a Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinic in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Herpes simplex virus type 2 was isolated in 48 (19.2%) patients, Haemophilus ducreyi from 22 (8.8%), Neisseria gonorrhoeae from seven (2.8%) and Chlamydia trachomatis from four (1.6%). Syphilis was diagnosed in 18 (7.2%) patients on the basis of dark field microscopy. Two (0.8%) patients were found to have both chancroid and syphilis and one (0.5%) had both gonorrhoea and syphilis. No organism was isolated in the remaining 151 (61.5%) patients. Overall, the accuracy of clinical diagnosis was 58% for single infection, 67% for herpes, 63% for syphilis, 47% for chancroid and 0% for lymphogranuloma venereum. Therefore, our study confirms the need for laboratory tests to diagnose accurately the aetiology of genital ulcer disease.
    Matched MeSH terms: China/ethnology
  9. Serum HDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein AI, AII and B levels in Singapore newborns
    Saha N, Wong HB
    Biol. Neonate, 1987;52(2):93-6.
    PMID: 3115319
    The mortality from coronary artery disease (CAD) in Indians is more than three times that in the Chinese and Malays of Singapore. Serum total and HDL cholesterol as well as apolipoprotein (Apo) AI, AII and B levels were determined in a group of 349 newborns (cord blood) from both sexes in these three ethnic groups in order to examine if a trend is reflected at birth. Both serum LDL cholesterol and Apo B levels were low in the newborn, while HDL cholesterol and Apo AII levels were almost the same as in adults. Serum Apo AI levels were also low in newborns. No consistent difference as to ethnic group or sex was observed in any of the parameters investigated, except that the females had significantly higher levels of serum Apo AI in all the ethnic groups. Serum total and HDL cholesterol levels in Singapore newborns were comparable to those reported in Caucasians and Asians. The trends of incidence of CAD were not reflected in the lipid profiles studied at birth.
    Matched MeSH terms: China/ethnology
  10. Oral melanin pigmentation in 467 Thai and Malaysian people with special emphasis on smoker's melanosis
    Hedin CA, Axéll T
    J Oral Pathol Med, 1991 Jan;20(1):8-12.
    PMID: 2002444
    At the faculties of dentistry in Chiang Mai, Thailand (CM), and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (KL), 234 and 233 consecutive out-patients were interviewed concerning tobacco and chewing habits and examined for the presence of oral melanin pigmentation. Tobacco was regularly used by 32% and 28% of the studied populations in CM and KL. Cigarette smoking was the predominant habit, but the chewing of betel and tea leaves (miang) and the smoking of banana leaf cigars (khi yo) was also registered. The genetically acquired pigmentation dominated. Although nearly all non-tobacco users in the Malay and Indian populations had oral melanin pigmentation, it was found that tobacco smokers had significantly more oral surfaces pigmented than non-tobacco users. Among Thais, the percentage of pigmented individuals was significantly higher among tobacco smokers. It was concluded that tobacco smoking stimulates oral melanocytes to a higher melanin production also in dark-skinned ethnic groups.
    Matched MeSH terms: China/ethnology
  11. Enamel defects in a fluoridated south-east Asian community
    Chellappah NK, Vignehsa H, Lo GL
    Aust Dent J, 1990 Dec;35(6):530-5.
    PMID: 2090085
    The prevalence and distribution patterns of enamel defects in maxillary incisors was assessed in 194 Singaporean children aged 11-15 years and belonging to three different ethnic groups. All were born and continuously resident in Singapore, which has a tropical climate. The water supply was fluoridated in 1957 at a level of 0.7 ppm. The mouth prevalence of defects was 71.5 per cent and the tooth prevalence was 55.9 per cent; 82 per cent of all affected teeth demonstrated white lesions of various forms. Although there was no sex difference in the prevalence and distribution pattern of defects, some racial differences were observed. The results were compared with data from other studies where the same classification of defects was used.
    Matched MeSH terms: China/ethnology
  12. Prognosis of patients who present with an episode of myelopathy of unknown origin in Malaysia: a retrospective study of 52 patients
    Tan CT
    Aust N Z J Med, 1989 Aug;19(4):297-302.
    PMID: 2783084
    Fifty-four per cent of 52 patients presenting to the University of Malaya Medical Centre with a myelopathy for which appropriate investigations uncovered no definite etiology, subsequently developed clinically definite or probable multiple sclerosis. In the subgroup of patients with a presentation indicative of acute/subacute transverse myelopathy, 14 or 52% also went on to develop clinically definite or probable multiple sclerosis, a far higher proportion than previously recorded in the literature. This finding is probably a further manifestation of racial difference in the behaviour of multiple sclerosis. For the group as a whole, the only factor which appeared to be associated with an increased risk of developing multiple sclerosis was female sex; 67% of 33 female patients went on to develop multiple sclerosis after a mean follow-up period of 5.5 years. Other factors such as age of onset, racial composition, level of spinal cord involvement, presence of fever and CSF finding were found not to be important.
    Matched MeSH terms: China/ethnology
  13. Race-related morphologic variations in hepatocellular carcinoma
    Sumithran E, Looi LM
    Cancer, 1985 Sep 1;56(5):1124-7.
    PMID: 2990666
    In West Malaysia, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is common in the Chinese and in the members of the Senoi aboriginal tribe, two racial groups with diametrically opposite life-styles. Certain fundamental differences exist between the liver tumors in the two races. In the Senoi, the tumor occurs in a younger age group and there is a greater male preponderance than in the Chinese. There is also a very close relationship between hepatitis B virus infection, chronic active hepatitis, cirrhosis, liver cell dysplasia, and HCC in the Senoi and the tumors generally present as multiple nodules studding both lobes of the liver. In the Chinese, although a relationship between hepatitis B virus infection, HCC, and cirrhosis exists, this association is not as strong as in the Senoi and the tumors are generally large and solitary. The data suggest that, although the hepatitis B virus is probably an important oncogenic agent in both racial groups, there may be a difference in the pathogenesis of HCC in the two races.
    Matched MeSH terms: China/ethnology
  14. Coagulation studies in Asian women using injectable progestogen for contraception
    Tsakok FH, Koh S, Yuen R, Ratnam SS
    Int J Gynaecol Obstet, 1980 9 1;18(2):105-8.
    PMID: 6108245 DOI: 10.1002/j.1879-3479.1980.tb00256.x
    Coagulation, fibrinolytic activity and platelet function were studied in 104 Asian women volunteers who received 150 mg of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate intramuscularly every three months for two years or more. The results were compared with those in matched controls. There was a paucity of change in coagulation factors. The fibrinogen levels were increased and prothrombin time was shortened. The fibrinolytic activity, as shown by the euglobulin clot lysis time, was significantly increased. This latter change contrasts with the many reports concerning Caucasian women and may reflect an increase in fibrinolytic potential in Asian women.
    Matched MeSH terms: China/ethnology
  15. Fulltext Salted fish and inhalants as risk factors for nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Malaysian Chinese
    Armstrong RW, Armstrong MJ, Yu MC, Henderson BE
    Cancer Res, 1983 Jun;43(6):2967-70.
    PMID: 6850606
    We conducted a case-control study of nasopharyngeal carcinoma among Malaysian Chinese to test inhalants, salted fish consumption, and use of tobacco, alcohol, and nasal ointments as risk factors for the disease. Interviews with 100 cases and 100 controls indicated that salted fish consumption during childhood was a significant risk factor (relative risk, 3.0; p = 0.04); childhood daily consumption of this food item compared to nonconsumption carried a relative risk of 17.4 [95% confidence interval = (2.7, 111.1)]. Occupational exposure to smokes (relative risk, 6.0; p = 0.006) and to dusts (relative risk, 4.0; p less than 0.001) was also significantly associated with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The two risk factors (consumption of salted fish and exposure to smoke and/or dust) were independent of each other. There was no association between nasopharyngeal carcinoma and tobacco, alcohol, or nasal ointments.
    Matched MeSH terms: China/ethnology
  16. Fulltext Cardiovascular diseases in Chinese, Malays, and Indians in Singapore. II. Differences in risk factor levels
    Hughes K, Yeo PP, Lun KC, Thai AC, Sothy SP, Wang KW, et al.
    J Epidemiol Community Health, 1990 Mar;44(1):29-35.
    PMID: 2348145 DOI: 10.1136/jech.44.1.29
    STUDY OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to examine cardiovascular risk factors to see how these might explain differences in cardiovascular disease mortality among Chinese, Malays, and Indians in the Republic of Singapore.
    DESIGN: The study was a population based cross sectional survey. Stratified systematic sampling of census districts, reticulated units, and houses was used. The proportions of Malay and Indian households were increased to improve statistical efficiency, since about 75% of the population is Chinese.
    SETTING: Subjects were recruited from all parts of the Republic of Singapore.
    SUBJECTS: 2143 subjects aged 18 to 69 years were recruited (representing 60.3% of persons approached). There were no differences in response rate between the sexes and ethnic groups.
    MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Data on cardiovascular risk factors were collected by questionnaire. Measurements were made of blood pressure, serum cholesterol, low and high density lipoprotein cholesterol, fasting triglycerides and plasma glucose. In males the age adjusted cigarette smoking rate was higher in Malays (53.3%) than in Chinese (37.4%) or Indians (44.5%). In both sexes, Malays had higher age adjusted mean systolic blood pressure: males 124.6 mm Hg v 121.2 mm Hg (Chinese) and 121.2 mm Hg (Indians); females 122.8 mm Hg v 117.3 mm Hg (Chinese) and 118.4 mm Hg (Indians). Serum cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride showed no ethnic differences. Mean high density lipoprotein cholesterol in males (age adjusted) was lower in Indians (0.69 mmol/litre) than in Chinese (0.87 mmol/litre) and Malays (0.82 mmol/litre); in females the mean value of 0.95 mmol/litre in Indians was lower than in Chinese (1.05 mmol/litre) and Malays (1.03 mmol/litre). Rank prevalence of diabetes for males was Indians (highest), Malays and then Chinese; for females it was Malays, Indians, Chinese.
    CONCLUSIONS: The higher mortality from ischaemic heart disease found in Indians in Singapore cannot be explained by the major risk factors of cigarette smoking, blood pressure and serum cholesterol; lower high density lipoprotein cholesterol and higher rates of diabetes may be part of the explanation. The higher systolic blood pressures in Malays may explain their higher hypertensive disease mortality.
    Matched MeSH terms: China/ethnology
  17. Hepatitis B virus markers in prostitutes in Singapore
    Goh CL, Kamarudin A, Chan SH, Rajan VS
    Genitourin Med, 1985 Apr;61(2):127-9.
    PMID: 3980022
    The prevalence of hepatitis B virus markers in 121 men and 239 women prostitutes was studied. Of 33 (9.7%) with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), nine (27.3%) also had hepatitis Be antigen, which was more prevalent in men than women. Antibodies to HBsAg (anti-HBs) and to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) were found in about 71% of men and women prostitutes. Hepatitis B virus markers were more prevalent in men than in women prostitutes. Compared with other people, prostitutes had a significantly greater prevalence of hepatitis B virus markers. This study strongly suggested the importance of sexual transmission of infection with hepatitis B virus in a country where infection is endemic.
    Matched MeSH terms: China/ethnology
  18. A cross-sectional study of hepatitis B immune status in Asian children in Singapore
    Quak SH, Singh R, Oon CJ, Wong HB
    Ann Trop Paediatr, 1982 Jun;2(2):53-6.
    PMID: 6185078
    A study of race-related distribution of hepatitis B markers was conducted in 458 children admitted consecutively to Singapore General Hospital. The positive rates for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in Chinese, Malays and Indians were 11.2, 8.0 and 12.2% respectively and the corresponding figures for anti-HBs were 30.2, 12.0 and 14.6%. In Chinese children HBsAg prevalence was shown to be sex-related, being higher in males than females. The percentages of Chinese children positive for anti-HBs and anti-HBc were also higher than those of the Indians. This study confirmed that Singapore children were exposed to hepatitis B infection from early life. All three races were equally susceptible to this infection.
    Matched MeSH terms: China/ethnology
  19. Intergroup perception as a compromise between in-group bias and fair-mindedness
    Singh R, Sharmini, Choo I
    J Soc Psychol, 2004 Aug;144(4):373-87.
    PMID: 15279328
    Previously, perceived competence of and attraction toward targets categorized by race showed in-group bias and no bias, respectively. Consequently, previous investigators regarded intergroup perception as a compromise between the norms of in-group bias and fair-mindedness. An alternative hypothesis for such findings is that attraction is not as relevant a dimension for intergroup discrimination as is competence. To test contrasting predictions of these hypotheses, the present authors asked participants from the majority and minority groups in Singapore (ns = 320) to evaluate either competence of or attraction toward one of the five targets. Consistent with the hypothesis that intergroup perception is a compromise, both dimensions yielded a uniform but weak in-group bias. The participants' equating of the in-group with one out-group further illustrated fair-mindedness. The authors discussed implications of the findings.
    Matched MeSH terms: China/ethnology
  20. Prevalence of Parkinson disease in Singapore: Chinese vs Malays vs Indians
    Tan LC, Venketasubramanian N, Hong CY, Sahadevan S, Chin JJ, Krishnamoorthy ES, et al.
    Neurology, 2004 Jun 08;62(11):1999-2004.
    PMID: 15184604
    OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of Parkinson disease (PD) in Singapore and compare the rates between Singaporean Chinese, Malays, and Indians.

    METHODS: A three-phase community-based survey among a disproportionate random sample of 15,000 individuals (9,000 Chinese, 3,000 Malays, 3,000 Indians) aged 50 years and above who live in central Singapore was conducted. In phase 1, trained interviewers conducted a door-to-door survey using a validated 10-question questionnaire. In phase 2, medical specialists examined participants who screened positive to any of the questions. Participants suspected to have PD had their diagnosis confirmed in phase 3 by a movement disorders specialist.

    RESULTS: The participation rate was 67% among 22,279 eligible individuals. Forty-six participants with PD were identified of which 16 were newly diagnosed cases. The prevalence rate of PD for those aged 50 and above in Singapore was 0.30% (95% CI: 0.22 to 0.41), age-adjusted to US 1970 census. The prevalence rates increased significantly with age. The age-adjusted prevalence rates among Chinese (0.33%, 95% CI: 0.22 to 0.48), Malays (0.29%, 95% CI: 0.13 to 0.67), and Indians (0.28%, 95% CI: 0.12 to 0.67) were the same (p = 1.0).

    CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of PD in Singapore was comparable to that of Western countries. Race-specific rates were also similar to previously reported rates and similar among the three races. Environmental factors may be more important than racially determined genetic factors in the development of PD.

    Matched MeSH terms: China/ethnology
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