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  1. Johan NH, Oo AP, Pisharam JK, Rosalina S, Koh D, Tan J
    Med J Malaysia, 2023 Jan;78(1):54-60.
    PMID: 36715192
    INTRODUCTION: The Brunei Dialysis and Transplant Registry (BDTR) recorded data on patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) from 2011 to 2020, mainly for planning of services and benchmarking of standards. We report the trends of epidemiologic and performance parameters, compare performances between modalities of Kidney Replacement Therapy and evaluate the survival of ESKD patients over the 10-year period.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three groups of data were analysed from the BDTR over the 10-year period. Epidemiological data, blood parameters and dialysis are key performance indicators.

    RESULTS: There are increments in prevalence and incidence of treated ESKD patients in Brunei over 10 years, especially with haemodialysis (HD). The projected prevalence and incidence showed an anticipated annual increase of 42.2 per million population (pmp) and 9.9 pmp respectively. Diabetes mellitus (DM) (79%) was the main cause of ESKD. HD (86%), peritoneal dialysis (PD) (9%) and transplant (5%) were the main modalities of kidney replacement therapy in 2020. Cumulative results over the decade showed significant improvements in serum phosphate, peritonitis rates and HD blood flow rates. PD patients have better survival rates, lower systolic blood pressure and better adequacy. PD survival (patient survival of 91%, 73% and 56% at 1, 3 and 5 years respectively) was superior to HD survival (86% and 64% at 1 and 2 years, respectively), but patient demographics (age and DM status) were different. The 2020 dataset showed satisfactory anaemia management but mineral bone disease management was sub-optimal. Seventy percent of prevalent HD patients had arteriovenous fistula access. Thirty-two percent and fifty-two percent of HD and PD patients, respectively, achieved target dialysis adequacy. Peritonitis rate was 0.3 episodes per patient year.

    CONCLUSION: Brunei has a high incidence and prevalence of treated ESKD in the last decade, especially DM-related ESKD. This study has identified many specific areas to be targeted for improvements and provided evidence for further proliferation of PD and transplant preference policy.

    Matched MeSH terms: Brunei/epidemiology
  2. Ismail JB
    Med J Malaysia, 1992 Jun;47(2):98-102.
    PMID: 1494340
    One thousand consecutive Brunei Darussalam patients referred with low Hb, and/or low MCV and MCH (Hb < 12.5g/dl, MCV < 76fl, MCH < 27pg) were studied in the laboratory for underlying haemoglobinopathies. 30.0% of such patients were proved to have either beta-thalassaemia trait, beta-thalassaemia major, Hb AE, Hb EE, Hb E beta-thalassaemia or Hb H disease. In some, the haemoglobin abnormality was not identified precisely. Alpha-thalassaemia was suspected in an additional 4.3% of cases but confirmation study by globin-chain synthesis was not available. Beta-thalassaemia trait which was the predominant disorder was equally distributed among the three major race groups of Brunei Darussalam. Hb E was found exclusive among the Malay population. Hb H disease appeared as more common among the Chinese or the Malays (p > 0.05). This study reveals that thalassaemia and haemoglobinopathies are prevalent in Brunei Darussalam.
    Matched MeSH terms: Brunei/epidemiology
  3. Osman O, Fong MY, Sekaran SD
    J Gen Virol, 2009 Mar;90(Pt 3):678-686.
    PMID: 19218214 DOI: 10.1099/vir.0.005306-0
    The full-length genomes of two DENV-1 viruses isolated during the 2005-2006 dengue incidents in Brunei were sequenced. Twenty five primer sets were designed to amplify contiguous overlapping fragments of approximately 500-600 base pairs spanning the entire sequence of the genome. The amplified PCR products were sent to a commercial laboratory for sequencing and the nucleotides and the deduced amino acids were determined. Sequence analysis of the envelope gene at the nucleotide and amino acid levels between the two isolates showed 92 and 96 % identity, respectively. Comparison of the envelope gene sequences with 68 other DENV-1 viruses of known genotypes placed the two isolates into two different genotypic groups. Isolate DS06/210505 belongs to genotype V together with some of the recent isolates from India (2003) and older isolates from Singapore (1990) and Burma (1976), while isolate DS212/110306 was clustered in genotype IV with the prototype Nauru strain (1974) and with some of the recent isolates from Indonesia (2004) and the Philippines (2002, 2001). In the full-length genome analysis at the nucleotide level, isolate DS06/210505 showed 94 % identity to the French Guyana strain (1989) in genotype V while isolate DS212/110306 had 96 % identity to the Nauru Island strain (1974) in genotype IV. This work constitutes the first complete genetic characterization of not only Brunei DENV-1 virus isolates, but also the first strain from Borneo Island. This study was the first to report the isolation of dengue virus in the country.
    Matched MeSH terms: Brunei/epidemiology
  4. AIDS Policy Law, 2001 Oct 26;16(20):3.
    PMID: 11692478
    Matched MeSH terms: Brunei/epidemiology
  5. van Eekelen A, Stokvis-Brantsma H, Frölich M, Smelt AH, Stokvis H
    Diabetes Care, 2000 Sep;23(9):1435-6.
    PMID: 10977050
    Matched MeSH terms: Brunei/epidemiology
  6. Alexander MJ, Sinnatamby AS, Rohaimah MJ, Harun AH, Ng JS
    Ann Acad Med Singap, 1990 May;19(3):344-6.
    PMID: 2393233
    Brunei Darussalam has a mixed population with entirely different cultures and religions. The overall incidence of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is 6%. A racial analysis of the incidence of HBV infection in Brunei shows a significantly higher incidence in Chinese compared to the other races. This is consistent with the incidence in the neighbouring countries.
    Matched MeSH terms: Brunei/epidemiology
  7. Wong J, Abdul Aziz ABZ, Chaw L, Mahamud A, Griffith MM, Lo YR, et al.
    J Travel Med, 2020 08 20;27(5).
    PMID: 32365178 DOI: 10.1093/jtm/taaa066
    Matched MeSH terms: Brunei/epidemiology
  8. Chee KH, Choo GH, Jamaluddin ANB, Mahendran K, Greenlaw N, Chandran A
    Med J Malaysia, 2017 10;72(5):282-285.
    PMID: 29197883 MyJurnal
    INTRODUCTION: The on-going, international, prospective, observational, longitudinal CLARIFY registry is investigating the demographics, clinical profiles, management and outcomes of patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD). This paper assesses baseline characteristics, treatment, and clinical outcomes at two years' follow-up of Malaysian/Bruneian patients compared with the overall registry population.

    METHOD: Between November 2009 and July 2010, outpatients from 45 countries who met the criteria for stable CAD were recruited into the registry. Baseline characteristics were documented at enrolment, and patients were reassessed during their annual visits over a five-year follow-up period. Key outcomes measured were sudden death and cardiovascular (CV) death, non-CV death and CV morbidity.

    RESULTS: At baseline, 33,283 patients were available for analysis within the registry; 380 and 27 were Malaysians and Bruneians, respectively. The mean ages of Malaysian/Bruneian patients and the rest of the world (RoW) were 57.83 ±9.98 years and 64.23 ± 10.46 years, respectively (p<0.001). The median body mass index values were 26.6 (24.4-29.6) kg/m2 and 27.3 (24.8-30.3) kg/m2, respectively (p=0.014). Malaysian/Bruneian patients had lower rates of myocardial infarction (54.55% versus 59.76%, p=0.033) and higher rates of diabetes (43.24% versus 28.99%, p<0.001) and dyslipidaemia (90.42% versus 74.66%, p<0.001) compared with the RoW. Measured clinical outcomes in Malaysian and Bruneian patients at 2-years follow-up were low and generally comparable to the RoW.

    CONCLUSION: Malaysian/Bruneian patients with stable CAD tend to be younger with poorer diabetic control compared with the RoW. However, they had similar outcomes as the main registry following two years of treatment.

    Matched MeSH terms: Brunei/epidemiology
  9. Chong VH, Telisinghe PU, Lim E, Abdullah MS, Idris F, Chong CF
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2015;16(16):7097-101.
    PMID: 26514496
    BACKGROUND: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is linked to Epstein Barr virus infection and is particularly common in the Far East, particularly among some Chinese groups. Certain ethnicities have been reported to have low incidence of NPC. This study looked at NPC in Brunei Darussalam over a three decade period.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: The cancer registry from 1986 to 2014 maintained by the State Laboratory was retrospectively reviewed. The age standardized rates (ASR) and the age specific incidence rates (ASIR) were calculated. Non NPC tumors were excluded from the study.

    RESULTS: Altogether, there were a total of 450 NPC cases diagnosed accounting for 4.4% of all total cancer cases over the study period, declining from 10.3% in 1986-1990 to 2.3% in 2011-2014. The most common tumor type was the undifferentiated carcinoma (96.4%). The case characteristics were mean age 50.4 ± 14.4 years old, male 69%, and predominately Malays 74.4%, followed by Chinese 16.7%. The mean age of diagnosis increased over the study period from 45.6 ± 17.1 years (1986-1989) to 54.1 ± 12.5 years (ANOVA, p<0.01 for trend). There were no differences in the mean age of diagnosis between the ethnic groups or genders. The ASR showed a declining trend from 11.1 per 100,000 in 1986-1990 to 5.95 per 100,000 in 2011-2014, similar trends been observedfor both genders. Among the age groups, declining trends were seen in all the other age groups apart from the >70 years group. The overall ASRs for the Malays and Chinese were 7.92/100,000 and 8.83/100,000 respectively, both showing declining trends.

    CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of NPC in Brunei Darussalam is comparable to rates reported from Singapore and Malaysia, but higher than rates reported from the other Southeast Asian nations. Unlike higher rates reported for Chinese compared to the Malays in other countries, the rates between the Malays and Chinese in our study was comparable. Importantly, the ASR is declining overall and for both genders and ethnic groups.

    Matched MeSH terms: Brunei/epidemiology
  10. Win KN, Trivedi A, Lai AS
    Ind Health, 2018 Nov 21;56(6):566-571.
    PMID: 29973468 DOI: 10.2486/indhealth.2018-0053
    In 2012, there were about 2.3 million deaths worldwide attributed to work. The highest workplace fatality rate (WFR) was reported on construction sites due to high risk activities. Globally, fall from height is the leading cause of fatal injuries for construction workers. The objectives are to determine Brunei Darussalam's demographic distribution of occupational fatality; identify causal agents and industry where occupational fatalities commonly occur; and determine WFR by year. This cross-sectional study retrospectively reviewed records of occupational fatality which were notified to the Occupational Health Division, Ministry of Health, from January 2012 until December 2016. Notified occupational fatalities in Brunei over a five-year period was 50. Most of the cases were in 31-40 age group. 38% of fatality cases occurred in Indonesian workers. 60% were from the Construction industry. 38% were due to fall from height. WFR averaged 5.28 and the highest industry-specific fatality rate was seen in the Construction industry, ranging from 27.94 to 56.45 per 100,000 workers. WFR for Brunei Darussalam from 2012 to 2016 was similar to that of Malaysia, but higher than Singapore and the UK. Industry-specific fatality rate for the Construction and Manufacturing industries were higher than those of Singapore and the UK.
    Matched MeSH terms: Brunei/epidemiology
  11. Hong SA, Peltzer K
    Subst Use Misuse, 2019;54(2):288-296.
    PMID: 30463459 DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2018.1517797
    BACKGROUND: Though alcohol and tobacco are the most commonly used substances among adolescents, little is known about the patterning of early adolescent substance use in Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states.

    OBJECTIVES: This study examined past month patterns of substances use and its gender difference among adolescents.

    METHODS: Cross-sectional samples among adolescents aged 13-16 years who completed the Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS) from eight ASEAN countries were included in the analysis (n = 40,212).

    RESULTS: Prevalence of past month any tobacco use was relatively high in Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines (11-15%), but prevalence of dual cigarette and other forms of tobacco use was about 2-5% in the five countries. Past month alcohol consumption prevalence was also high in Thailand, Viet Nam, and the Philippines (16-24%), compared to the rest countries (1.4-8.2%). Moreover, prevalence of the concurrent alcohol and tobacco use was higher in Thailand and the Philippines (7 and 10%, respectively), particularly in boys (13 and 15%, respectively). Conclusions/importance: Almost 30-40% of the boys and 10-20% of girls in Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, and Viet Nam are engaged in at least one of the two risk behaviors, and the concurrent alcohol and tobacco use was also relatively high among boys in those countries (5-15%). This study may provide some valuable insights on alcohol and tobacco policy in the region and requires to begin prevention and treatment programs in ASEAN member states.

    Matched MeSH terms: Brunei/epidemiology
  12. Leong E, Ong SK, Madli F, Tan A, Lai D, Basir N, et al.
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2020 Jan 01;21(1):259-265.
    PMID: 31983194 DOI: 10.31557/APJCP.2020.21.1.259
    BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer in both men and women. In most Asian countries, both the incidence and mortality rates of CRC are gradually increasing. In Brunei Darussalam, CRC ranks first and second in lifetime risk among men and women respectively. This study aims to report the overall survival rates and associated factors of CRC in Brunei Darussalam.

    METHODS: This is a retrospective study examining CRC data for the period 2007 to 2017 retrieved from a population based cancer registry in Brunei Darussalam. A total of 728 patients were included in the analysis. Kaplan Meier method was used to estimate survival rates. Univariate analysis using log-rank test was used to examine the differences in survival between groups. Multivariate analysis using Cox PH regression was used to estimate hazard of death and obtain significant predictors that influence CRC patients' survival.

    RESULTS: The median survival time for colorectal, colon and rectal cancer patients were 57.0, 85.8 and 40.0 months respectively. The overall 1-, 3- and 5- year survival rates for CRC patients were 78.0%, 57.7% and 49.6% respectively. In univariate analysis, age at diagnosis, ethnicity, cancer stage, tumour location and histology were found to have significant difference in CRC patients' survival. In the Cox PH analysis, older age (≥70 years), cancer stage, ethnicity and other histological type were determined as associated factors of CRC patients' survival.

    CONCLUSION: This study found the overall 5-year survival rate of CRC in Brunei Darussalam is similar to that in some Asian countries such as Singapore and Malaysia. However, more efforts need to be carried out in order to raise awareness of CRC and improve the survival of CRC patients.

    Matched MeSH terms: Brunei/epidemiology
  13. AbuBakar S, Sam IC, Yusof J, Lim MK, Misbah S, MatRahim N, et al.
    Emerg Infect Dis, 2009 Jan;15(1):79-82.
    PMID: 19116058 DOI: 10.3201/eid1501.080264
    Enterovirus 71 (EV71) outbreaks occur periodically in the Asia-Pacific region. In 2006, Brunei reported its first major outbreak of EV71 infections, associated with fatalities from neurologic complications. Isolated EV71 strains formed a distinct lineage with low diversity within subgenogroup B5, suggesting recent introduction and rapid spread within Brunei.
    Matched MeSH terms: Brunei/epidemiology
  14. Chaw L, Koh WC, Jamaludin SA, Naing L, Alikhan MF, Wong J
    Emerg Infect Dis, 2020 Nov;26(11):2598-2606.
    PMID: 33035448 DOI: 10.3201/eid2611.202263
    We report the transmission dynamics of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) across different settings in Brunei. An initial cluster of SARS-CoV-2 cases arose from 19 persons who had attended the Tablighi Jama'at gathering in Malaysia, resulting in 52 locally transmitted cases. The highest nonprimary attack rates (14.8%) were observed from a subsequent religious gathering in Brunei and in households of attendees (10.6%). Household attack rates from symptomatic case-patients were higher (14.4%) than from asymptomatic (4.4%) or presymptomatic (6.1%) case-patients. Workplace and social settings had attack rates of <1%. Our analyses highlight that transmission of SARS-CoV-2 varies depending on environmental, behavioral, and host factors. We identify red flags for potential superspreading events, specifically densely populated gatherings with prolonged exposure in enclosed settings, persons with recent travel history to areas with active SARS-CoV-2 infections, and group behaviors. We propose differentiated testing strategies to account for differing transmission risk.
    Matched MeSH terms: Brunei/epidemiology
  15. Lee MY, Telisinghe PU, Ramasamy R
    Singapore Med J, 2012 Sep;53(9):604-7.
    PMID: 23023903
    Introduction Cervical cancer caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV) is a common cancer in women. There is no published data on the recent incidence of cervical dysplasia, cervical cancer and genital warts caused by the different types of HPVs in Brunei Darussalam.
    Methods A cross-sectional, retrospective study was conducted utilising data from patients diagnosed with cervical cancer during the period 2005–2009 in Brunei Darussalam. The varying incidences of different types of cervical lesions among various ethnic and age groups, and in the overall population, were determined.
    Results The mean age-standardised incidence of invasive cervical cancer during the five-year period was 24.9 per 100,000 women per year (95% confidence interval [CI] 21.7, 28.1). Age-specific invasive cervical cancer incidence peaked in the age group 45–59 years. Chinese females tended to have a higher incidence of invasive cervical cancer (28.2 per 100,000 women per year; 95% CI 17.8, 38.7) than Malay females (20.6 per 100,000 women per year; 95%
    CI 17.1, 24.2), while other ethnic groups in Brunei Darussalam had a significantly lower incidence (6.5 per 100,000 women per year; 95% CI 3.0, 10.0).
    Conclusion The results suggest that Brunei Darussalam has a relatively higher incidence of cervical cancer compared to its neighbouring countries. The findings support the need for more comprehensive screening, public education programmes and vaccination against HPV in the country.
    Matched MeSH terms: Brunei/epidemiology
  16. WHO Western Pacific Gonococcal Antimicrobial Surveillance Programme
    Commun Dis Intell Q Rep, 2006;30(4):430-3.
    PMID: 17330383
    The World Health Organization Western Pacific Region Gonococcal Antimicrobial Surveillance Programme examined about 8,700 isolates of Neisseria gonorrhoeae from 15 countries for resistance to antibiotics in 2005. High to very high rates of resistance to penicillins and quinolones persisted in most centres. Increasing numbers of gonococci with decreased susceptibility to third generation cephalosporins were found in several countries. There were infrequent instances of spectinomycin resistance.
    Matched MeSH terms: Brunei/epidemiology
  17. Tan J
    Nephrology (Carlton), 2014 May;19(5):288-95.
    PMID: 24641721 DOI: 10.1111/nep.12228
    Brunei Darussalam is a small South East Asian country with a high prevalence and incidence of end stage kidney disease (ESRD). This study aims to compare key performance indicators recorded in the Brunei Dialysis and Transplant Registry and department records against international practice. Registries from the USA (USRDS), UK (UK Renal Registry), Australasia (ANZDATA), Europe (ERA-EDTA Registry) and Malaysia (MDTR) were used for comparisons.
    Matched MeSH terms: Brunei/epidemiology
  18. Koh KS, Telisinghe PU, Bickle I, Abdullah MS, Chong CF, Chong VH
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2015;16(8):3279-83.
    PMID: 25921132
    BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the most common gastrointestinal cancer and the incidence is increasing. CRC is more common with increasing age, but a proportion occurs in young adults, termed young CRC. This study assessed the incidence and the demographic of young CRC in Brunei Darussalam.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: All histologically proven CRC between 1986 and 2014 registered with the Department of Pathology cancer registry were reviewed and data extracted for analyses. Young CRC was defined as cancer in patients aged less than 45 years. The various population groups were categorized into locals (Malays, Chinese and Indigenous) and expatriates.

    RESULTS: Over the study period, there were 1,126 histologically proven CRC (mean age 59.1 ± 14.7 years, Male 58.0%, Locals 91.8% and 8.2% expatriates). Young CRC accounted for 15.1% with the proportion declining over the years, from 29% (1986-1990) to 13.2% (2011-2014). The proportion of young CRC was highest among the indigenous (30.8%), followed by the expatriates (29.3%), Malays (14.3%) and lowest among the Chinese (10.8%). The mean age of young CRC was 35.9 ± 6.2; lowest among the indigenous (33.5 ± 6.7), expatriate (34.9 ± 6.0) groupd and the Malays (35.6 ± 6.5) compared to the Chinese (38.6 ± 4.6), a similar trend being observed in the non-young CRC groups. There were no difference between the genders and tumor locations (rectum or colon) between the young and the non-young CRC cases. Female young CRC was significantly younger than male (p<0.05) without any significant variation between the various population groups (p>0.05).

    CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that the young CRC accounted for 15.1% of all CRC with declining trend observed over recent years. Young CRC was more common among indigenous, expatriates and Malays and least common among the Chinese. There were no differences in the gender and tumor locations.
    Matched MeSH terms: Brunei/epidemiology
  19. Osman O, Fong MY, Devi S
    Jpn J Infect Dis, 2007 Jul;60(4):205-8.
    PMID: 17642533
    The purpose of this study was to examine the extent of dengue infection in Brunei and to determine the predominant serotype circulating in the country. The study generated useful epidemiological data on dengue infection in Brunei. A total of 271 samples from patients suspected of having dengue infections were selected and analyzed. All patients were seen in clinics and hospitals in Brunei. The samples were collected from April 2005 to April 2006 and transported to the WHO Collaborating Centre for Arbovirus Reference and Research, University of Malaya, Malaysia. The following tests were used to achieve the objectives: in-house IgM-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, virus isolation in mosquito albopictus cell line (C6/36), and viral RNA detection and serotyping by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The results show that 45 people were positive for dengue-specific IgM (27 males and 18 females), while RT-PCR detected dengue viral RNA in 12 patients, 3 identified as DEN-1 and 9 as DEN-2. Dengue virus was isolated from 6 patients using the C6/36 cell line; 3 were DEN-2 isolates and 3 were DEN-1 isolates. These data show that dengue virus is circulating in Brunei and the predominant infecting serotype for that period was DEN-2 followed by DEN-1. This study is the first to report the detection and isolation of dengue virus from Brunei using RT-PCR and culture in the C6/36 albopictus mosquito cell line.
    Matched MeSH terms: Brunei/epidemiology
  20. Carta MG, Scano A, Lindert J, Bonanno S, Rinaldi L, Fais S, et al.
    Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci, 2020 08;24(15):8226-8231.
    PMID: 32767354 DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_202008_22512
    OBJECTIVE: To explore whether the climate has played a role in the COVID-19 outbreak, we compared virus lethality in countries closer to the Equator with others. Lethality in European territories and in territories of some nations with a non-temperate climate was also compared.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: Lethality was calculated as the rate of deaths in a determinate moment from the outbreak of the pandemic out of the total of identified positives for COVID-19 in a given area/nation, based on the COVID-John Hopkins University website. Lethality of countries located within the 5th parallels North/South on 6 April and 6 May 2020, was compared with that of all the other countries. Lethality in the European areas of The Netherlands, France and the United Kingdom was also compared to the territories of the same nations in areas with a non-temperate climate.

    RESULTS: A lower lethality rate of COVID-19 was found in Equatorial countries both on April 6 (OR=0.72 CI 95% 0.66-0.80) and on May 6 (OR=0.48, CI 95% 0.47-0.51), with a strengthening over time of the protective effect. A trend of higher risk in European vs. non-temperate areas was found on April 6, but a clear difference was evident one month later: France (OR=0.13, CI 95% 0.10-0.18), The Netherlands (OR=0.5, CI 95% 0.3-0.9) and the UK (OR=0.2, CI 95% 0.01-0.51). This result does not seem to be totally related to the differences in age distribution of different sites.

    CONCLUSIONS: The study does not seem to exclude that the lethality of COVID-19 may be climate sensitive. Future studies will have to confirm these clues, due to potential confounding factors, such as pollution, population age, and exposure to malaria.

    Matched MeSH terms: Brunei/epidemiology
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