MyMedR

Displaying all 16 publications

Abstract:

Sort:

Fulltext "Cauliflower ears" in a patient with anterior uveitis

Choo MM, Jaais F

Med J Malaysia, 2002 Jun;57(2):225-8.
PMID: 24326658

"Cauliflower Ears" describes the appearance of swelling of the auricular cartilage resulting in gross distortion of the auricle. The underlying pathology is inflammation of the auricular cartilage. We report a case of a patient who presented to the ophthalmology clinic with an ocular inflammation, whose subsequent diagnosis of replapsing polychondritis was clinched with the finding of "Cauliflower Ears". This case emphasizes the importance of an appropriate general examination of ophthalmic patients for early diagnosis and prompt institution of medical treatment, which may prevent life-threatening complications to the patient.
Study site: Eye clinic, University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Fulltext The Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction in ocular syphilis

Fathilah J, Choo MM

Med J Malaysia, 2003 Aug;58(3):437-9.
PMID: 14750386

A patient with ocular syphilis is presented. She experienced deterioration in vision following the commencement of treatment due to a Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction. This is a transient febrile illness that can occur in patients after the first adequate dose of an anti-microbial drug to treat infectious diseases such as syphilis, Lyme disease and relapsing fever. However, a Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction occurring in a patient receiving treatment for ocular syphilis can be serious, resulting in the rapid loss of vision.
Neuroblastoma in Malaysian children

Sinniah D, Choo M, Somasundram K

Med J Malaysia, 1979 Dec;34(2):149-53.
PMID: 548717
Mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome in Malaysia

Sinniah D, Nagappan N, Choo M

Med J Malaysia, 1979 Dec;34(2):164-6.
PMID: 548721
Arterial occlusion following embolization of an orbital arteriovenous malformation. A case report

Kamalden TA, Choo MM, Kadir K, Khaliddin N

Neuroradiol J, 2009 Jan 20;21(6):861-4.
PMID: 24257059

Orbital arteriovenous malformation is a rare condition which poses a management problem in view of the complexity of the vessels involved, and the potentially blinding and life-threatening complications from the modes of treatment. Treatment requires obliteration of the abnormal vascular communication. Vision may be adversely affected by the condition itself, as well as a result of invasive treatment modalities. This case reports such a situation where the visual outcome was severely affected following embolization of the feeding vessels.
Fulltext Central obesity, insulin resistance, syndrome X, lipoprotein(a), and cardiovascular risk in Indians, Malays, and Chinese in Singapore

Hughes K, Aw TC, Kuperan P, Choo M

J Epidemiol Community Health, 1997 Aug;51(4):394-9.
PMID: 9328546

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To examine the hypothesis that the higher rates of coronary heart disease (CHD) in Indians (South Asians) compared with Malays and Chinese is at least partly explained by central obesity, insulin resistance, and syndrome X (including possible components).
DESIGN: Cross sectional study of the general population.
SETTING: Singapore.
PARTICIPANTS: Random sample of 961 men and women (Indians, Malays, and Chinese) aged 30 to 69 years.
MAIN RESULTS: Fasting serum insulin concentration was correlated directly and strongly with body mass index (BMI), waist-hip ratio (WHR), and abdominal diameter. The fasting insulin concentration was correlated inversely with HDL cholesterol and directly with the fasting triglyceride concentration, blood pressures, plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1), and tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), but it was not correlated with LDL cholesterol, apolipoproteins B and A1, lipoprotein(a), (Lp(a)), fibrinogen, factor VIIc, or prothrombin fragment (F)1 + 2. This indicates that the former but not the latter are part of syndrome X. While Malays had the highest BMI, Indians had a higher WHR (men 0.93 and women 0.84) than Malays (men 0.91 and women 0.82) and Chinese (men 0.91 and women 0.82). In addition, Indians had higher fasting insulin values and more glucose intolerance than Malays and Chinese. Indians had lower HDL cholesterol, and higher PAI-1, tPA, and Lp(a), but not higher LDL cholesterol, fasting triglyceride, blood pressures, fibrinogen, factor VIIc, or prothrombin F1 + 2.
CONCLUSIONS: Indians are more prone than Malays or Chinese to central obesity with insulin resistance and glucose intolerance and there are no apparent environmental reasons for this in Singapore. As a consequence, Indians develop some but not all of the features of syndrome X. They also have higher Lp(a) values. All this puts Indians at increased risk of atherosclerosis and thrombosis and must be at least part of the explanation for their higher rates of CHD.
Cardiovascular risk factors in non-insulin-dependent diabetics compared to non-diabetic controls: a population-based survey among Asians in Singapore

Hughes K, Choo M, Kuperan P, Ong CN, Aw TC

Atherosclerosis, 1998 Jan;136(1):25-31.
PMID: 9544728

Cardiovascular risk factors were compared between 126 people with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and 530 non-diabetics (controls), in a random sample of people (Chinese, Malays, and Asian Indians) aged 40-69 years from the general population of Singapore. Data were adjusted for age and ethnicity. For both genders, people with NIDDM had higher mean body mass indices, waist-hip ratios and abdominal diameters. They also had a higher prevalence of hypertension, higher mean levels of fasting serum triglyceride, slightly lower mean levels of serum high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol, and higher mean levels of plasma plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and tissue plasminogen activator (antigen). These factors are components of syndrome X (metabolic syndrome) and increase the risk of atherosclerosis and thrombosis. In contrast, there were no important differences for cigarette smoking, serum total and low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol, serum apolipoproteins A1 and B, plasma factor VIIc and plasma prothrombin fragment 1 + 2. Females with NIDDM, but not males, had a higher mean serum fibrinogen level than non-diabetics, which could explain why NIDDM has a greater cardiovascular effect in females than males. Serum lipoprotein(a) concentrations were lower in people with NIDDM. Mean levels of serum ferritin, a pro-oxidant, were higher in people with NIDDM than controls, but there were no important differences for plasma vitamins A, C and E, and serum selenium, which are anti-oxidants.
Fulltext Total occlusion of left main coronary artery in a patient with chronic, stable angina

Soo CS, Choo M, Sim E, Ling LH, Tan K, Lee CN

Med J Malaysia, 1992 Mar;47(1):74-6.
PMID: 1387455

We report a case of total occlusion of the left main coronary artery (LMCA) in a patient with chronic, stable angina. Total occlusion of the LMCA is rare and survival depends on the existence of collateral circulation. In LMCA disease, there is usually also disease in other parts of the coronary arterial tree.
Doppler-echocardiographic assessment of Carbomedics prosthetic values in the mitral position

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.
Total occlusion of left main coronary artery in Orientals: profile of 4 cases

Soo CS, Ling LH, Yeoh JK, Choo M, Kannan P

Angiology, 1993 Dec;44(12):929-32.
PMID: 8285368

The authors report 4 Oriental cases of total occlusion of the left main coronary artery (LMCA) with differing presentations. The first patient had a twelve-year history of stable angina pectoris. The second patient had angina for a year, which became unstable two months prior to diagnosis. The third patient had myocardial infarction seven years ago and presented with a one-month history of rest angina. The fourth patient had stable effort angina for six years but presented with accelerated angina three months prior to diagnosis. The incidence of total occlusion of the LMCA is rare and survival depends on the existence of collateral circulation. In LMCA disease, there is usually disease in other parts of the coronary arterial tree, and hence, the need for urgent coronary bypass surgery.
Fulltext Corneal changes in type II diabetes mellitus in Malaysia

Choo M, Prakash K, Samsudin A, Soong T, Ramli N, Kadir A

Int J Ophthalmol, 2010;3(3):234-6.
PMID: 22553561 DOI: 10.3980/j.issn.2222-3959.2010.03.12

To compare corneal endothelial structure and central corneal thickness (CCT) between type II diabetics and non-diabetic control patients. To look for correlations between diabetic status and corneal findings.
Fulltext Molecular detection of HIV-1 subtype B, CRF01_AE, CRF33_01B, and newly emerging recombinant lineages in Malaysia

Chook JB, Ong LY, Takebe Y, Chan KG, Choo M, Kamarulzaman A, et al.

Am J Trop Med Hyg, 2015 Mar;92(3):507-512.
PMID: 25535315 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.14-0681

A molecular genotyping assay for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) circulating in Southeast Asia is difficult to design because of the high level of genetic diversity. We developed a multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay to detect subtype B, CRF01_AE, CRF33_01B, and three newly described circulating recombinant forms, (CRFs) (CRF53_01B, CRF54_01B, and CRF58_01B). A total of 785 reference genomes were used for subtype-specific primers and TaqMan probes design targeting the gag, pol, and env genes. The performance of this assay was compared and evaluated with direct sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. A total of 180 HIV-infected subjects from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia were screened and 171 samples were successfully genotyped, in agreement with the phylogenetic data. The HIV-1 genotype distribution was as follows: subtype B (16.7%); CRF01_AE (52.8%); CRF33_01B (24.4%); CRF53_01B (1.1%); CRF54_01B (0.6%); and CRF01_AE/B unique recombinant forms (4.4%). The overall accuracy of the genotyping assay was over 95.0%, in which the sensitivities for subtype B, CRF01_AE, and CRF33_01B detection were 100%, 100%, and 97.7%, respectively. The specificity of genotyping was 100%, inter-subtype specificities were > 95% and the limit of detection of 10(3) copies/mL for plasma. The newly developed real-time PCR assay offers a rapid and cost-effective alternative for large-scale molecular epidemiological surveillance for HIV-1.
High rates of unprotected anal intercourse with regular and casual partners and associated risk factors in a sample of ethnic Malay men who have sex with men (MSM) in Penang, Malaysia

Lim SH, Bazazi AR, Sim C, Choo M, Altice FL, Kamarulzaman A

Sex Transm Infect, 2013 Dec;89(8):642-9.
PMID: 23787168 DOI: 10.1136/sextrans-2012-050995

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) and its correlates among ethnic Malay men who have sex with men (MSM).
METHODS: In 2010, a convenience sample of 350 MSM in Penang were recruited to participate in an anonymous, computerised survey with rapid HIV testing. Participants who were not of Malay ethnicity (n=44) or who did not report sex with another man in the previous 12 months (n=22) were excluded, resulting in 284 participants in the final analysis. Correlates of UAI were examined separately for regular and casual partnerships using bivariate and multivariate logistic regression.
RESULTS: Four men (1.9%) tested HIV positive. In the past 12 months, 64.7% of participants had regular sexual partners, 77.1% had casual sexual partners and 41.9% had both. Most participants (83.1%) reported UAI, which was more common in regular partnerships. Over two-thirds of participants had never been tested for HIV. In multivariate analysis, agreement about sexual risk reduction practices was associated with a reduction in UAI with regular partners (adjusted OR (AOR)=0.14, 95% CI 0.05 to 0.40). Reporting difficulty in using condoms was associated with an increase in UAI with casual partners (AOR=9.07, 95% CI 3.35 to 24.5), and any exposure to HIV prevention was associated with a decrease in UAI with casual partners (AOR=0.22, 95% CI 0.09 to 0.54).
CONCLUSIONS: Despite highly prevalent HIV risk behaviours, HIV seropositivity and prior HIV testing were low. Increasing sexual negotiation skills and access to HIV testing and other prevention services may improve future prevention efforts.
KEYWORDS: HIV; Homosexuality; Prevention; Sexual Behaviour
Visual outcomes after Phacoemulsification with Intraocular Implantation surgeries among patients with and without Diabetes Mellitus

Lim JJ, Salowi MA, Adnan TH, Anuar NA, Ngah NF, Choo MM

Med J Malaysia, 2021 03;76(2):190-198.
PMID: 33742627

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to compare the visual outcomes of phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation (IOL) surgery in patients with and without diabetes mellitus (DM) in Malaysia over a 12-year period and to identify factors that may contribute to poor visual outcome.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data was retrieved from the webbased Malaysian Cataract Surgery Registry (CSR). Perioperative data for cataract surgery performed from 2007- 2018 were analysed. Inclusion criteria were age ≥40 years, phacoemulsification and IOL and senile cataract. Combined surgeries, surgeries performed by trainees and ocular comorbidities were excluded. Post-operative Best-Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA) were compared. Factors affecting poor visual outcomes among those with DM were analysed using multivariate logistic regression to produce adjusted odds ratio (OR) for variables of interest.
RESULTS: Total number of cases between 2007-2018 was 442,858, of whom 179,210 qualified for our analysis. DM group consisted of 72,087 cases (40.2%). There were 94.5% cases in DM group and 95.0Ź from non-DM group who achieved BCVA ≥6/12 (p<0.001). Among patients with DM, advanced age (70-79 years old, OR: 2.54, 95% Confidence Interva, 95%CI: 1.91, 3.40; 80-89 years old, OR: 5.50, 95%CI: 4.02, 7.51), ≥90 years, OR: 9.77, 95%CI: 4.18, 22.81), poor preoperative presenting visual acuity [<6/18-6/60] (OR: 2.40, 95%CI: 1.84, 3.14) and <6/60-3/60 (OR: 3.00, 95%CI: 2.24, 4.02), <3/60 (OR 3.63, 95%CI: 2.77, 4.74)], presence of intraoperative complication (OR 2.24, 95%CI: 1.86, 2.71) and presence of postoperative complication (OR 5.21, 95%CI: 2.97, 9.16) were significant factors for poor visual outcome.
CONCLUSIONS: Visual outcomes following phacoemulsification with IOL implantation surgery among cases with DM were poorer compared to cases without DM. Risk factors for poor visual outcomes among cases with DM were identified.
Fulltext Safe havens and rough waters: networks, place, and the navigation of risk among injection drug-using Malaysian fishermen

West BS, Choo M, El-Bassel N, Gilbert L, Wu E, Kamarulzaman A

Int J Drug Policy, 2014 May;25(3):575-82.
PMID: 24332971 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2013.11.007

BACKGROUND: HIV prevalence among Malaysian fishermen is ten times that of the general population. Fishing boats are a key place where drug use occurs, but we know little about how these environments shape HIV risk behaviour. Utilizing Rhodes' 'risk environment' framework, we assessed drug use contexts and how characteristics of place associated with fishing and fishermen's social networks served as key axes along which drug use and HIV risk behaviour occurred.
METHODS: Data were collected during 2009-2011 in Kuantan, a fishing port on the eastern coast of Malaysia, and include 28 in-depth interviews and 398 surveys collected using RDS. Logistic regression was used to determine the effect of occupational, network and risk environment characteristics on unsafe injection behaviour and access to clean needles/syringes; qualitative data were coded and analyzed thematically.
RESULTS: Drug injecting was common and occurred on boats, often with other crewmembers. Captains and crewmembers were aware of drug use. Unsafe injection practices were significantly associated with having a larger proportion of drug injectors in network (OR=3.510, 95% CI=1.053-11.700) and having a captain provide drugs for work (OR=2.777, 95% CI=1.018-7.576). Size of fishermen network (OR=0.987, 95% CI=0.977-0.996), crewmembers' knowledge of drug use (OR=7.234, 95% CI=1.430-36.604), and having a captain provide drugs for work (OR=0.134, 95% CI=0.025-0.720) predicted access to clean needles/syringes. Qualitative analyses revealed that occupational culture and social relationships on boats drove drug use and HIV risk.
CONCLUSIONS: While marginalized in broader society, the acceptance of drug use within the fishing community created occupational networks of risk. Fishing boats were spaces of both risk and safety; where drug users participated in the formal economy, but also where HIV risk behaviour occurred. Understanding the interplay between social networks and place is essential for developing HIV prevention and harm reduction policies appropriate for the unique needs of this fishing population.
Risk Factors for a Positive Hepatitis C Status in Fishermen in Kuantan Malaysia

Lall P, Saifi R, Baggio D, Schoenberger SF, Choo M, Gilbert L, et al.

Asia Pac J Public Health, 2019 04;31(3):227-237.
PMID: 30983376 DOI: 10.1177/1010539519841294

Malaysia currently has an estimated hepatitis C virus (HCV) prevalence of 1.3% with an infected population of 384,000. Fishermen in Malaysia are at risk of HCV infection due to injection drug use and disproportionately high rates of incarceration. This study used quantitative data from Project WAVES, a large-scale mixed methods project charting environmental drivers of risk-taking behaviors among a respondent-driven sample of 406 fishermen in Malaysia. Over a quarter of participants (27.9%) reported injecting drugs in the past month; 49.8% of the sample tested positive for HCV. Respondents who had previously been arrested displayed increased odds of being HCV-positive (adjusted odds ratio = 4.79, confidence Interval = 2.46-9.35). Participants who reported being in lock-up displayed close to 6-fold odds of being HCV-infected (adjusted odds ratio = 5.49, confidence interval = 2.77-10.90, P < .001). These findings underscore the need for policies and structural interventions targeting the negative effects of aggressive incarceration contributing to the burden of HCV among high-risk communities.

Filters

Please provide feedback to Administrator (afdal@afpm.org.my)

External Links