Displaying all 11 publications

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  1. King TL, Tiong LL, Abdul Aziz Z, Law WC
    J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis, 2023 Sep;32(9):107230.
    PMID: 37478524 DOI: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2023.107230
    OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to determine the prevalence of untreated pharmacologically modifiable cardiovascular risk factors (PMRF) among patients with ischaemic stroke and the association with in-hospital mortality and functional outcome.

    METHODS: We analysed the data from ischaemic stroke cases admitted to Sarawak General Hospital between June 2013 and June 2021. We matched the underlying PMRFs with prior medications and categorised them as treated, untreated, or no PMRF. We calculated the prevalence and assessed the association between untreated PMRFs and in-hospital mortality or favourable functional outcome (FFO) at discharge, which was adjusted for age, sex, and other covariates in multivariable models.

    RESULTS: We included 1963 patients [65.4% male, 59.8 (SD 13.4) years]; 43.8% who had at least one untreated PMRF had triple the odds of in-hospital mortality [adjusted OR (aOR) 2.86, (95%CI 1.44, 5.70)], whereas 30.2% who had all PMRFs treated showed no significant association. Untreated hypertension [aOR 2.19 (95%CI 1.21, 3.98)], treated [aOR 3.02 (95%CI 1.32, 6.92)], and untreated atrial fibrillation [aOR 1.89 (95%CI 1.18, 3.03)] were significantly associated with more in-hospital death, whereas treated prior stroke was associated with fewer in-hospital death [aOR 0.31 (95%CI 0.11, 0.84)]. Treated diabetes [aOR 0.66 (95%CI 0.49, 0.88)] and untreated prior stroke [aOR 0.53 (95%CI 0.33, 0.83)] were associated with fewer FFO.

    CONCLUSION: The high prevalence of untreated underlying PMRFs was significantly associated with poorer outcomes among Malaysian patients with ischaemic stroke in Sarawak. Efforts are needed to promote early screening and treatment of cardiovascular risk factors to reduce the burdens and improve stroke outcomes in this region.

  2. Ting CY, Ahmad Sabri NA, Tiong LL, Zailani H, Wong LP, Agha Mohammadi N, et al.
    PMID: 31530230 DOI: 10.1080/10934529.2019.1665950
    While past studies have detected heavy metals in aerosols emitted from electronic cigarettes (ECIG), they have provided little information detailing the practical implications of the findings to the Malaysian population due to variations between products. The aims of this study were to analyse heavy metals of interest (HMOI) in the aerosols emitted from selected ECIG and to evaluate potential health risks by referring to the permissible daily exposure (PDE) from inhalational medications defined by the United States Pharmacopeia Chapter 232. All four HMOI were detected in aerosols emitted from the selected ECIG in Sarawak. Among the four, Cr was present at the highest median levels (6.86 ng/m3), followed by Ni (0.30 ng/m3), Pb (0.19 ng/m3) and Cd (0.01 ng/m3). Five out of 100 combinations (5%) of ECIG and ECIG liquids were found to emit Cr that exceed the recommended PDE. Future studies examining more heavy metal variants, using a larger sample size and different analytical techniques to compare various ECIGs are recommended.
  3. King TL, Tiong LL, Kaman Z, Zaw WM, Abdul Aziz Z, Chung LW
    J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis, 2020 Sep;29(9):105012.
    PMID: 32807427 DOI: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2020.105012
    BACKGROUND: Located on the Borneo Island, Sarawak is the largest state of Malaysia and has a population distinctive from Peninsular Malaysia. The ischaemic stroke data in Sarawak had not been reported despite the growing number of patients annually. We aimed to investigate patient characteristics, management, and outcomes of ischaemic stroke in Sarawak and benchmark the results with national and international published data.

    METHODS: We included ischaemic stroke cases admitted to Sarawak General Hospital between June 2013 and August 2018 from Malaysia National Stroke Registry. We performed descriptive analyses on patient demographics, cardiovascular risk factors, prior medications, smoking status, arrival time, thrombolysis rate, Get With The Guidelines (GWTG)-Stroke measures, and outcomes at discharge. We also numerically compared the results from Sarawak with the published data from selected national and international cohorts.

    RESULTS: We analysed 1435 ischaemic stroke cases. The mean age was 60.1±13.2 years old; 64.9% were male; median baseline National Institute of Health Stroke Scale was seven points. Hypertension was the most prevalent risk factor of ischaemic stroke; 12.7% had recurrent stroke; 13.7% were active smokers. The intravenous thrombolysis rate was 18.8%. We achieved 80-90% in three GWTG-Stroke performance measures and 90-98% in four additional quality measures in our ischaemic stroke management. At discharge, 57% had modified Rankin Scale of 0-2; 6.7% died during hospitalisation. When compared with selected national and international data, patients in Sarawak were the youngest; Sarawak had more male and more first-ever stroke. Thrombolysis rate in Sarawak was higher compared with most studies in the comparison. Functional outcome at discharge in Sarawak was better than national cohort but still lagging behind when compared with the developed countries. In-hospital mortality rate in Sarawak was slightly lower than the national data but higher when compared with other countries.

    CONCLUSION: Our study described characteristics, management, and outcomes of ischaemic stroke in Sarawak. We achieved high compliance with most of GTWG-Stroke performance and quality indicators. Sarawak had better outcomes than the national results on ischaemic stroke. However, there is still room for improvement when compared with other countries. Actions are needed to reduce the cardiovascular burdens for stroke prevention, enhance healthcare resources for stroke care, and improve intravenous thrombolysis treatment in Sarawak.

  4. Tan SSN, Koh KT, Tiong LL, Ong TK, Fong AYY
    Pharmacogenomics, 2018 10;19(15):1151-1157.
    PMID: 30191759 DOI: 10.2217/pgs-2018-0082
    AIM: Recurrent thrombotic events still occur despite dual antiplatelet therapy in patient's post percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) could be attributed to high on-treatment platelet reactivity.

    METHODS: A 44-year-old male, who had staged PCI to left anterior descending (LAD) 2 weeks after an anterior MI, with a drug-coated stent was readmitted with new anterior STEMI 35 days later. Coronary angiogram revealed mid-stent thrombus in situ. He had further uncomplicated PCI. Platelet function testing and genotyping showed clopidogrel high on-treatment platelet reactivity and CYP2C19*3/*17 genotype. Ticagrelor was commenced.

    RESULTS & CONCLUSION: This case study is the first reported in Malaysia to document a patient with a CYP2C19*3/*17 genotype presenting with a stent thrombosis after an uncomplicated index PCI procedure.

  5. Mohd Noor MN, Leow ML, Lai WH, Hon YK, Tiong LL, Chern PM
    BMJ Open, 2022 Dec 13;12(12):e065546.
    PMID: 36523224 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-065546
    INTRODUCTION: Three-dimensional (3D) printing plays a significant role as a promising technological advancement in modern healthcare settings. 3D printing has been incorporated by many sectors worldwide including in Southeast Asian countries. However, there is a paucity of research, especially in the healthcare pertaining to 3D printing activity in the Southeast Asian region. Thus, a scoping review is conducted to gain insight into 3D printing healthcare research landscape in the Southeast Asian region.

    METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The methodology draws on Arksey and O'Malley's seminal framework for the scoping review. The literature search will be conducted by using keywords to find suitable published literature. The existing literature will be searched using selected electronic databases such as PubMed/MEDLINE, CINAHL, Scopus, ProQuest and Web of Science from the years 2011 and 2021. The selected publications will focus on 10 Southeast Asian countries: Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Philippines, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar. Two reviewers will be performing title and abstract screening for the criteria of each publication, in which they will be working independently of each other. The included publication will undergo a full-text review and references cited will be examined for relevance using the same inclusion criteria. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses flow diagram will guide throughout the process. Data will be extracted, analysed and charted within each category from the selected publications for each Southeast Asian country.

    ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The results of this scoping review will illustrate an overview of the 3D printing healthcare research in the Southeast Asian context, which can be a guide for the advancement of 3D printing that can be accentuated in future research. The results will undergo dissemination which will be submitted for publication in a scientific journal.

  6. Mejin M, Tiong WN, Lai LY, Tiong LL, Bujang AM, Hwang SS, et al.
    Int J Clin Pharm, 2013 Aug;35(4):621-8.
    PMID: 23661171 DOI: 10.1007/s11096-013-9783-y
    BACKGROUND: Cytochrome P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) loss-of-function polymorphisms are more common in Asian populations and have been associated with diminished antiplatelet response to clopidogrel. In this era of 'personalised medicine', combining genotyping and phenotyping as a strategy to personalise antiplatelet therapy warrants further exploration.

    OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and impact of CYP2C19*2, *3 and *17 genotypes on clopidogrel responsiveness in a multiethnic Malaysian population planned for percutaneous coronary intervention.

    SETTING: Between October 2010 and March 2011, a total of 118 consecutive patients planned for percutaneous coronary intervention were enrolled in Sarawak General Hospital, Borneo. All patients received at least 75 mg aspirin daily for at least 2 days and 75 mg clopidogrel daily for at least 4 days prior to angiography.

    METHOD: Genotyping for CYP2C19*2 (rs4244285, 681G > A), *3 (rs4986893, 636G > A) and *17 (rs11188072, -3402C > T) alleles were performed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment linked polymorphism method. Whole blood ADP-induced platelet aggregation was assessed with multiple electrode platelet aggregometry (MEA) using the Multiplate Analyzer.

    MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The distribution of CYP2C19*2, *3 and *17 among different ethnic groups and the association between genotype, clopidogrel responsiveness and clinical outcome were the main outcome measures.

    RESULTS: The highest prevalence of poor metabolisers (carriers of at least one copy of the *2 or *3 allele) was among the Chinese (53.7 %), followed by the Malays (26.9 %), Ibans (16.4 %) and other races (3.0 %). Poor metabolisers (PMs) had the highest mean MEA (303.6 AU*min), followed by normal metabolisers (NMs) with 270.5 AU*min and extensive metabolisers (EMs) with 264.1 AU*min (p = 0.518). Among poor responders to clopidogrel, 65.2 % were PMs and NMs, respectively, whereas none were EMs (p = 0.350). Two cardiac-related deaths were reported.

    CONCLUSION: There was a diverse inter-ethnic difference in the distribution of CYP2C19 polymorphism. The findings of this study echo that of other studies where genotype appears to have a limited impact on clopidogrel responsiveness and clinical outcome in low-risk patients.

  7. Fong AYY, Tiong LL, Tan SSN, Geruka D, Apil GG, Choo CW, et al.
    Clin Appl Thromb Hemost, 2020 12 8;26:1076029620972473.
    PMID: 33284050 DOI: 10.1177/1076029620972473
    Routine coagulation tests do not enable rapid, accurate determination of direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) therapy. The ecarin clotting assay (ECA), performed on the ClotPro viscoelastic testing device, may enable sensitive and specific detection of dabigatran. We assessed the association between trough plasma dabigatran concentration and clotting time (CT) in the ClotPro ECA, in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). Each patient provided a single venous blood sample, ∼1 hour before dabigatran dosing. The study included 118 patients, of whom 64 were receiving dabigatran 110 mg twice daily and 54 were receiving 150 mg twice daily. ECA CT was moderately correlated with trough plasma dabigatran concentration (r = 0.80, p < 0.001). Slight trends toward increased plasma dabigatran concentration and prolonged ECA CT were apparent with 150 mg versus the 110 mg dose (differences not statistically significant). Individuals with creatinine clearance below 50 mL/minute had significantly higher plasma dabigatran concentrations and significantly prolonged ECA CT versus those with creatinine clearance ≥50 mL/minute. In conclusion, this preliminary study has demonstrated that CT in the ClotPro ECA reflects the plasma concentration of dabigatran in patients with NVAF. The ECA could potentially be used to assess the impact of dabigatran on a patient's coagulation status.
  8. Ng Tsai HO, Goh JJN, Aw JWX, Lin Y, Fong AYY, Tiong LL, et al.
    J Thromb Thrombolysis, 2018 Nov;46(4):541-548.
    PMID: 30155672 DOI: 10.1007/s11239-018-1726-y
    The objectives of this study are to compare steady-state trough (Cmin,ss) and peak (Cmax,ss) concentrations of rivaroxaban between Asians and Caucasians and to evaluate the relationship between rivaroxaban concentrations and prothrombin time/international normalized ratio (PT/INR). Recruited patients were advised on the time to take rivaroxaban. Cmin,ss and PT/INR were taken when patients arrived. Cmax,ss and PT/INR were drawn between 2 and 4 h later after the patient took rivaroxaban with food. Thirty patients were included in the analyses: 57% (n = 17) males and 43% (n = 13) females, 77% (n = 23) on 20 mg and 23% (n = 7) on 15 mg. Median PTtrough and PTpeak are moderately correlated with Cmin,ss (r2 = 0.43) and Cmax,ss (r2 = 0.49), respectively. Patients on 15 mg have lower Cmin,ss and Cmax,ss versus Caucasians [12 ng/ml vs. 57 ng/ml (Cmin,ss); 87 ng/ml vs. 229 ng/ml (Cmax,ss), p 
  9. Edwards F, Arkell P, Fong, Roberts LM, Gendy D, Wong CS, et al.
    J Thromb Thrombolysis, 2014;38(2):226-34.
    PMID: 24233388
    Evidence is emerging that rates of adverse events in patients taking warfarin may vary with ethnicity. This study investigated the rates of bleeds and thromboembolic events, the international normalised ratio (INR) status and the relationship between INR and bleeding events in Malaysia. Patients attending INR clinic at the Heart Centre, Sarawak General Hospital were enrolled on an ad hoc basis from May 2010 and followed up for 1 year. At each routine visit, INR was recorded and screening for bleeding or thromboembolism occurred. Variables relating to INR control were used as predictors of bleeds in logistic regression models. 125 patients contributed to 140 person-years of follow-up. The rates of major bleed, thromboembolic event and minor bleed per 100 person-years of follow-up were 1.4, 0.75 and 34.3. The median time at target range calculated using the Rosendaal method was 61.6% (IQR 44.6–74.1%). Of the out-of-range readings, 30.0% were below range and 15.4% were above. INR variability, (standard deviation of individuals’ mean INR), was the best predictor of bleeding events, with an odds ratio of 3.21 (95% CI 1.10–9.38). Low rates of both major bleeds and thromboembolic events were recorded, in addition to a substantial number of INR readings under the recommended target range. This may suggest that the recommended INR ranges may not represent the optimal warfarin intensity for this population and that a lower intensity of therapy, as observed in this cohort, could be beneficial in preventing adverse events.

    Study site: INR clinic at the Heart Centre, Sarawak General Hospital
  10. Tan SSN, Fong AYY, Mejin M, Gerunsin J, Kong KL, Chin FYY, et al.
    Pharmacogenomics, 2017 08;18(13):1225-1239.
    PMID: 28745576 DOI: 10.2217/pgs-2017-0078
    BACKGROUND: Patients undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with drug-eluting stents (DES) who have impaired clopidogrel response, have a higher risk of subsequent major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE).

    AIM OF THE STUDY: To establish the relationship between CYP2C19 genotype, clopidogrel responsiveness and 1-year MACE.

    MATERIALS & METHODS: Aspirin/clopidogrel responses were assessed with Multiplate Analyzer and CYP2C19*2 allele by SpartanRx.

    RESULTS: A total of 42.0% carried ≥1 CYP2C19*2 allele. Prevalences of aspirin and clopidogrel high on-treatment platelet reactivity (HPR; local cutoffs: 300 AU*min for aspirin and 600 AU*min for clopidogrel) were 11.5% and 19.8% respectively. In multivariate ana-lysis, clopidogrel HPR was found to be an independent predictor for 1-year MACE (adj HR: 3.48, p = 0.022 ).

    CONCLUSION: Having clopidogrel HPR could be a potentially modifiable risk factor guided by phenotyping.

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