MyMedR

Kew, Siang-Tong

International e-Journal of Science, Medicine & Education, 2012;6(10):0-0.

MyJurnal

Melanosis coli denotes brownish discoloration of the colonic mucosa found on endoscopy
or histopathologic examination. The condition has no specific symptom on its own. It is a fairly frequent incidental finding of colonic biopsies and resection specimens. The pigmentation is caused by apoptotic cells which are ingested by macrophages and subsequently transported into the lamina propria, where lysosomes use them to produce lipofuscin pigment, not melanin as the name suggests. Melanosis coli develops in over 70% of persons who use anthraquinone laxatives (eg cascara sagrada, aloe, senna, rhubarb, and frangula), often within 4 months of use. Long-term use is generally believed to be necessary to cause melanosis coli.The condition is widely regarded as benign and reversible, and disappearance of the pigment generally occurs within a year of stopping laxatives. Although
often due to prolonged use of anthraquinone, melanosis can probably result from other factors or exposure to other laxatives. It has been reported as a consequence of longstanding inflammatory bowel disease. Some investigators suggested that increase in apoptosis of
colonic mucosa by anthraquinone laxatives increased the risk of colonic cancer. Recent data, including those from large-scale retrospective, prospective and experimental studies, did not show any increased cancer risk.

Fulltext Images in clinical medicine: Melanosis coli

Kew ST, Chakravarthi S

N Engl J Med, 2013 Jun 13;368(24):2303.

PMID: 23758235 DOI: 10.1056/NEJMicm1204882

Fulltext The eyes have it - A diagnostic challenge

Loh KY, Kew ST

Aust Fam Physician, 2010 Sep;39(9):647-8.

PMID: 20877768

Fulltext Understanding non ulcer dyspepsia

Loh KY, Kew ST

Med J Malaysia, 2008 Jun;63(2):174-6; quiz 177.

PMID: 18942314 MyJurnal

Non ulcer dyspepsia is one of the most common problems encountered in primary care practice. The underlying pathophysiology of non ulcer dyspepsia is not fully understood, but it is known that this condition is associated with H. pylori infection and motility disorder. The presenting abdominal symptoms are non specific: they include bloating, belching, flatulence, excessive fullness after eating and nausea. Psychological condition such as anxiety, depression and stress do play a role in the recurrence of symptoms. Upper GI endoscopy is necessary in patients who presents with alarm symptoms suggestive of possible underlying organic condition before one makes the diagnosis of non ulcer dyspepsia. Pharmacological therapy using H2 receptor antagonist and proton pump inhibitors are effective for symptom relief. Patient's education and supportive care should be part of the management strategy in recurrent chronic dyspepsia.

Fulltext A man with contracted fingers

Loh KY, Kew ST

Aust Fam Physician, 2008 Mar;37(3):150.

PMID: 18345365

An Indian man from Malaysia presented with contracture of his hands. He is 55 years of age and has a history of chronic alcohol consumption. Examination revealed bilateral thickened structure at the palms.

Fulltext A painful gum

Loh KY, Kew ST

Aust Fam Physician, 2007 Sep;36(9):755.

PMID: 17885711

This middle aged Malaysian man presented complaining of painful gums for a few months. He is known to have had epilepsy since childhood.
Keywords: quiz; gum hypertrophy

Fulltext A man with an acute abdomen

Loh KY, Kew ST

Malays Fam Physician, 2008;3(2):109-10.

PMID: 25606131

Fulltext Educational Quiz. A painful gum

Loh KY, Kew ST

Aust Fam Physician, 2007 Nov;36(11):941.

PMID: 18050541

Fulltext Interpreting hepatitis B serology

Loh KY, Kew ST

Malays Fam Physician, 2007;2(1):31-2.

PMID: 25606076

Fulltext Glibenclamide induced chronic cholestasis simulating primary biliary cirrhosis: a case report

Ramanathan M, Wahinuddin S, Kew ST

Med J Malaysia, 1996 Mar;51(1):140-3.

PMID: 10967995

A 43-year-old lady with long standing non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus on glibenclamide presented with cholestatic liver disease. Initially she was thought to have developed primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). When she made a spontaneous recovery following the withdrawal of glibenclamide, it became obvious that the patient had been suffering from drug-induced chronic cholestasis (DICC). The subtle differences between PBC and DICC are highlighted.

Fulltext Cardiac arrhythmias and echocardiographic features in Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome

Ng WH, Kew ST

Med J Malaysia, 1980 Sep;35(1):41-5.

PMID: 7253998

Electrocardiographic features of the Woljf-Parkinson-White syndrome may be seen in normal individuals and in those with congenital or acquired heart disease. Predisposition to tachyarrhythmias and its misinterpretation are common. In this report a case of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome in a 25 year old Malay male who presented with cardiac arrhythmias is described. Echocardiographic findings and the role of echocardiography are discussed.

Fulltext Hepatitis B infection: what the primary care doctors should know

Kew ST, Loh KY

Malays Fam Physician, 2006;1(1):8-10.

MyJurnal

Hepatitis B virus infection is a global public health problem. The prevalence of hepatitis B infection is higher in Asia. The rate of HBsAg carriage in the general population ranges from 2-20%. The WHO has recommended that by the end of 21st century hepatitis B vaccination should be incorporated into routine childhood immunisation programmes for all nations. Vaccination against hepatitis B remains the most important aspect of preventive care. Most importantly hepatitis B vaccination can protect individual from fulminant hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Primary care physicians must be familiar with the pathology, epidemiological and clinical presentations of this disease and be able to refer patients for appropriate treatment at the tertiary centre.

Fulltext A profile of acute myocardial infarction in urban Malays

Bakar R, Ng WH, Kew ST, Mohan A

Med J Malaysia, 1982 Mar;37(1):62-5.

PMID: 7121349

This is a retrospectioe study of epidemiological and riskfactors ofischaemic heart disease in Malay patients admitted into the Coronary Care Unit, General Hospital, Kuala Lumpur between October 1977 and December 1979 unth. proven myocardial infarction. Ofthe 116patients (M/F sex ratio 9.5 : 1), the incidence of various risk factors were smoking 82 percent, hypertension 42 percent, hypercholesterolemia 23 percent, diabetes mellitus 20 percent and family history 9 percent. Anterior infarctions were more common than inferior. Hyperuricemia was detected in 19 percent and 96 percent had at least one major riskfactor. In terms ofoccupation, a majorproportion ofthose afflicted were pensioners, security personnel and businessmen.

Fulltext Efficacy and safety of celecoxib on the incidence of recurrent colorectal adenomas: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Veettil SK, Nathisuwan S, Ching SM, Jinatongthai P, Lim KG, Kew ST, et al.

Cancer Manag Res, 2019;11:561-571.

PMID: 30666154 DOI: 10.2147/CMAR.S180261

Background: Celecoxib has previously been shown to be effective in reducing recurrent colorectal adenomas, but its long-term effects are unknown. In addition, safety issues are of major concern. Therefore, we examined the efficacy and safety of celecoxib as a chemopreventive agent along with its posttreatment effect.

Methods: We performed a meta-analysis based on a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing celecoxib at various doses (400 mg once daily, 200 mg twice daily, and 400 mg twice daily) vs placebo in persons with history of colorectal adenomas. Several databases were searched from inception up to April 2018. Long-term follow-ups of RCTs were also included to evaluate posttreatment effect. Primary outcome was the incidence of recurrent colorectal adenomas. Various safety outcomes were evaluated, especially cardiovascular (CV) events. Risk-benefit integrated analyses were also performed.

Results: A total of three RCTs (4,420 patients) and three post-trial studies (2,159 patients) were included in the analysis. Use of celecoxib at any dose for 1-3 years significantly reduced the incidence of recurrent advanced adenomas (risk ratio, 0.42 [95% CI, 0.34-0.53]) and any adenomas (0.67 [95% CI, 0.62-0.72]) compared with placebo. Subgroup analysis on different dosing suggested a greater effect with 400 mg twice daily. However, celecoxib 400 mg twice daily significantly increased the risk of serious adverse (1.2 [95% CI, 1.0-1.5]) and CV events (3.42 [95% CI, 1.56-7.46]), while celecoxib at 400 mg/day, especially with once daily dosing, did not increase CV risk (1.01 [95% CI, 0.70-1.46]). Analysis of post-trial studies indicated that the treatment effect disappeared (1.15 [95% CI, 0.88-1.49]) after discontinuing celecoxib for >2 years.

Conclusion: Celecoxib 400 mg once daily dosing could potentially be considered as a viable chemopreventive option in patients with high risk of adenomas but with low CV risk. Long-term trials on celecoxib at a dose of ≤400 mg either once or twice daily are warranted.

Fulltext Very-low-dose aspirin and surveillance colonoscopy is cost-effective in secondary prevention of colorectal cancer in individuals with advanced adenomas: network meta-analysis and cost-effectiveness analysis

Veettil SK, Kew ST, Lim KG, Phisalprapa P, Kumar S, Lee YY, et al.

BMC Gastroenterol, 2021 Mar 20;21(1):130.

PMID: 33743605 DOI: 10.1186/s12876-021-01715-7

BACKGROUND: Individuals with advanced colorectal adenomas (ACAs) are at high risk for colorectal cancer (CRC), and it is unclear which chemopreventive agent (CPA) is safe and cost-effective for secondary prevention. We aimed to determine, firstly, the most suitable CPA using network meta-analysis (NMA) and secondly, cost-effectiveness of CPA with or without surveillance colonoscopy (SC).

METHODS: Systematic review and NMA of randomised controlled trials were performed, and the most suitable CPA was chosen based on efficacy and the most favourable risk-benefit profile. The economic benefits of CPA alone, 3 yearly SC alone, and a combination of CPA and SC were determined using the cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) in the Malaysian health-care perspective. Outcomes were reported as incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) in 2018 US Dollars ($) per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY), and life-years (LYs) gained.

RESULTS: According to NMA, the risk-benefit profile favours the use of aspirin at very-low-dose (ASAVLD, ≤ 100 mg/day) for secondary prevention in individuals with previous ACAs. Celecoxib is the most effective CPA but the cardiovascular adverse events are of concern. According to CEA, the combination strategy (ASAVLD with 3-yearly SC) was cost-saving and dominates its competitors as the best buy option. The probability of being cost-effective for ASAVLD alone, 3-yearly SC alone, and combination strategy were 22%, 26%, and 53%, respectively. Extending the SC interval to five years in combination strategy was more cost-effective when compared to 3-yearly SC alone (ICER of $484/LY gain and $1875/QALY). However, extending to ten years in combination strategy was not cost-effective.

CONCLUSION: ASAVLD combined with 3-yearly SC in individuals with ACAs may be a cost-effective strategy for CRC prevention. An extension of SC intervals to five years can be considered in resource-limited countries.

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