METHODS: Secondary analysis was carried out on data collected by the Grand Challenge Project among older adults aged ≥65 years from Selangor. Data on sociodemographic information, medical history, cognitive function and functional performance were obtained through face-to-face interviews using standardized questionnaires. Visual acuity was measured using the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) chart while hearing was assessed using pure-tone audiometry. Descriptive analysis was used to measure the prevalence of the impairments, and logistic regression analysis was used to identify the risk factors.
RESULTS: The prevalence of dual sensory impairment and hearing impairment were at 10.5% and 76.2% respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that participants with lower cognitive scores were associated with dual sensory impairment (odds ratio, 0.90; 95% confidence interval, 0.83-0.98), while smoking was found associated with hearing impairment (odds ratio, 6.58; 95% confidence interval, 1.51-28.65).
CONCLUSION: Dual sensory impairment is common among older adults in Selangor. The association between dual sensory impairment and cognitive function suggests the need to have visual and hearing screening on older adults for early detection particularly those at risk of cognitive impairment. The prevalence of hearing impairment was reported high among older adults and smokers appeared to be at higher risk of the impairment. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; 20: 911-916.
METHODS: The medical records and clinical outcomes of 35 patients who underwent endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy for primary hyperhidrosis from 2008 to 2018 in Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery were reviewed.
RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 27±10.1years, with male and female distribution of 18 and 17, respectively. Fifty-one percent of patients complained of palmar hyperhidrosis, while 35% of them had concurrent palmaraxillary and 14% had palmar-plantar-axillary hyperhidrosis. Our data showed that 77% (n=27) of patients were not investigated for secondary causes of hyperhidrosis, and they were not counselled on the non-surgical therapies. All patients underwent single-staged bilateral endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy. There was resolution of symptoms in all 35 (100%) patients with palmar hyperhidrosis, 13(76%) patients with axillary hyperhidrosis and only 2 (50%) patients with plantar hyperhidrosis. Postoperatively 34.3% (n=12) of patients reported compensatory hyperhidrosis. There were no other complications such as pneumothorax, chylothorax, haemothorax and Horner's Syndrome.
CONCLUSION: Clinical evaluation of hyperhidrosis in local context has not been well described, which may inadvertently result in the delay of appropriate management, causing significant social and emotional embarrassment and impair the quality of life of the subjects. Detailed clinical assessment and appropriate timely treatment, be it surgical or non-surgical therapies, are crucial in managing this uncommon yet distressing disease.