Background: Having a validated questionnaire in any field would nurture a research path in that particular area. The aim of this study was to validate the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales 21-item (DASS-21) Bahasa Malaysia (BM) version among clinical subjects who were diabetic patients. Objectives: To determine the reliability and construct validity of the BM DASS by looking at internal consistency and exploratory factor analysis respectively. Methods: The BM DASS was administered to a total of 153 diabetic patients. These patients were selected when they came to 15 retail pharmacies all over the Klang Valley. Results: The BM DASS-21 had very good Cronbach’s alpha values of 0.75, 0.74 and 0.79, respectively for depression, anxiety and stress subscales. For construct validity, it also had good factor loading values for 17 out of 21 items (.31 to .75). Conclusions: The results of this study entrenched the evidence that the BM DASS-21 had excellent psychometric properties and therefore it is suitable to be used for the Malaysian clinical population.
The main objective of this research is to compare the seating pressure during the driving session between two
different types of national cars. The objective of this research is to conduct object pressure distribution study on
two different types of car seat using CONFORMat (model 5330) with system model CER2, compare and analyse the
results based on object pressure between both car seat. Twelve respondents participated a driving session with
TekscanCONFORMat (model 5330) setup using the same route for both national car. We select two types of national
cars equipped with automatic transmission for this research. The seat pressure on the subject along the journey is
recorded using TekscanCONFORMat Research 7.60 software. Later, comparison made with respect to the seat
pressure experiencedby twelve respondents. The results shows different values of backand seat pressure recorded
among the twelve subjects. Lastly, the results are analysedand discussed at the end of this paper. Model B seat
design has better ability to distribute evenly the pressure to both seat and back. However, results for Model A
showed the pressure is more concentrated on the seat area.
Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibody disease has been recognised as a distinct demyelinating disorder. Optic neuritis has been reported as the most common presentation and manifestation of this spectrum disorder. This is a case series of three MOG optic neuritis patients. Patients involved are female with disease onset ranging between 7- and 37-year-old. Most of these patients experienced symptoms of profound reduced visual acuity with eye pain. All three patients had optic disc swelling upon first presentation and they experienced at least one episode of bilateral simultaneous optic neuritis. Only one patient had demonstrable optic nerve enhancement on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Disease was confirmed through positive MOG antibody. Patients typically responded well to intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP) during acute attack of optic neuritis. However, one patient had suboptimal response to IVMP after multiple relapses. We noted multiple relapses of optic neuritis are common in MOG patients. MOG optic neuritis is a devastating, but treatable condition. Aggressive treatment during acute optic neuritis attack and relapse prevention may favour a good visual prognosis in MOG antibody disease.
Simultaneous oculomotor and trochlear nerve palsy in Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus (HZO) is rare. We report a 78-year-old lady who presented with right ptosis while receiving treatment for HZO keratouveitis. Examination showed crusted vesicular lesions on the right V1 dermatome with right complete ptosis and limited right eye extraocular movement on adduction, supraduction, infraduction, and intorsion. There was mild right eye anterior chamber inflammation, while bilateral fundus examinations were normal. Other neurological and systemic examinations were unremarkable. Neuroimaging was also normal. Corticosteroids treatment was started, in addition to oral acyclovir, given for a total course of six weeks. Her ocular motor cranial neuropathy (OMCN) was partially resolved during the follow-up at one year. OMCN can be an isolated complication of HZO, or it may be associated with other neurological complications. Although recovery for OMCN is anticipated, the patient should be closely monitored for the possibility of developing other devastating neurological complications.
Optic neuritis associated with anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis poses a novel challenge and is recognised as being part of overlapping antibody-associated demyelinating syndromes. We report a case of a 10-year-old girl who first presented with anti-NMDAR encephalitis and later developed four episodes of left optic neuritis. Blurring of vision, pain on eye movement, and headache were the striking features in all episodes of optic neuritis. For each recurrent episode of optic neuritis she was treated with intravenous methylprednisolone, following which visual acuity, colour vision, and visual field improved to normal. Neuroimaging was unremarkable. Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein and aquaporin-4 antibody tests were negative. She developed a relapse of anti-NMDAR encephalitis after recurrent episodes of optic neuritis despite being on azathioprine. Intravenous immunoglobulin and cycles of cyclophosphamide were started, and she has been free from optic neuritis and encephalitis for more than one year since. Optic neuritis and anti-NMDAR encephalitis are reversible with intensive immunotherapy. Early and accurate diagnosis can lead to better management of this condition.