Displaying publications 101 - 120 of 369 in total

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  1. Lau, Doris Sie Chong, Juriza Ismail, Zarina Latiff
    MyJurnal
    Objective: The present study examined the sensitivity and specificity of M-CHAT-Malay version [M-CHAT(MV)] to discriminate ASD from other developmental-behavioural disorders. Methods: This study was carried out in the Child Development Centre at a tertiary referral centre. Parents of 130 children aged 18–60 months, referred for developmental-behavioural disorders were asked to complete M-CHAT(MV). A child was considered to have ASD ifthey failed any 3 of the 23 total items or 2 or more of the 6 critical items. Results: Looking at the total items, M-CHAT(MV) has a good sensitivity (88.9%) to differentiate between ASD and other developmental-behavioural disorders, although specificity was only 47.8%. However, the critical items only has sensitivity of 71.4% and specificity of 77.6%. Sensitivity for children aged 49–60 months old was lower (80.0%) compared to those in the younger age group (100.0% and 90.3% for those aged 25-36 months and 37–48 months respectively). Based on the ROC curve, the optimal criteria to detect ASD was failing 1 out of 6 critical items or 3 out of 23 total items. Conclusion: M-CHAT(MV) is a good screening tool in differentiating ASD from other developmental-behavioural disorders although the critical items’ criteria may need to be lowered to improve its sensitivity in selected cohorts.
    Matched MeSH terms: Tertiary Care Centers
  2. Mohd Ali N, Lee CC, Mohd Akhir NSN, Ahmad Izani AS, Leong CT, Muneswarao J, et al.
    J Pharm Bioallied Sci, 2020 04 10;12(2):201-209.
    PMID: 32742120 DOI: 10.4103/jpbs.JPBS_140_19
    Aim and Objective: The success of topical treatment in patients with psoriasis is still below par in Malaysia. The contributing factors include patients' understanding and knowledge about prescribed topical medications. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of color and picture labeling (C and P labeling) in improving the knowledge about topical medications among patients with psoriasis.

    Materials and Methods: An unblinded randomized controlled trial was undertaken at the dermatology clinic of a tertiary care hospital. Consent from the patients fulfilling inclusion criteria were obtained, and they were included in this study. They were randomized into two groups, namely Gp-1 (C and P labeling) and Gp-2 (conventional labeling). Both groups were assessed at week 0, 6, and 12 (visit 1, 2, and 3) using knowledge assessment list and psoriasis severity assessment score. For visit 2 (week 6), reinforcement of their understanding of topical treatment was performed.

    Results: A total of 101 patients were recruited. Only 91 of them completed the study. The mean ages were 44.52 (±16.61) and 45.49 (±15.84) years, with 70.3% males and approximately half Malay ethnics. The changes of knowledge and comparison of Topical Application Assessment Score between the groups showed an incremental raise of significance with every visit (P = 0.006 [week 1], 0.004 [week 6], and 0.002 [week 12]). Psoriasis Area and Severity Index 75 could not draw any conclusion as patients who achieved >75% improvement were inadequate.

    Conclusion: C and P labeling was effective in improving the understanding and knowledge of patients with psoriasis. Both groups showed improvement in body surface area and Dermatology Life Quality Index for every visit; however, it was statistically insignificant.

    Matched MeSH terms: Tertiary Care Centers
  3. Mudiganty S, Austine J
    Malays Orthop J, 2021 Mar;15(1):27-31.
    PMID: 33880145 DOI: 10.5704/MOJ.2103.005
    Introduction: Distraction osteogenesis has been used effectively in the management of tibia non-unions with skeletal defect. A retrospective case series study of the infected non-union tibia managed with acute docking in a rail fixation system was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in South India. It was designed to evaluate the use of autologous bone graft at the docking site in achieving an early union with a seven years follow-up period.

    Materials and Methods: From 2010 to 2017, a total of 19 patients with infected tibia non-union and a bone defect less than 3cm, were treated with debridement and a monolateral frame fixation with acute shortening and lengthening. The patients were divided into two groups: one in which no bone graft was used at the docking site during early years of the study; and a later group in which autologous bone graft was used at the acute docking site primarily in addition to compression. Consolidation at the docking site was assessed both radiographically and clinically, and the results were statistically analysed.

    Results: There were 12 patients in Group I without bone graft, where consolidation at the docking site was noted after a mean duration of 22.08 ± 3.87 weeks. There were seven patients in Group II with bone graft, where the mean time for docking site consolidation was significantly lower at 16.57 ± 3.82 weeks. No docking site complications were noted in either group.

    Conclusion: Primary autologous bone graft enhances docking site consolidation in acute shortening. The routine use of bone graft at the docking site in acute shortening will expedite the docking site union with reduction of treatment time.

    Matched MeSH terms: Tertiary Care Centers
  4. Sapri HF, Ismail MAH, Sani NAM, Noordin A, Tan TL, Hussin S, et al.
    Germs, 2020 Jun;10(2):104-111.
    PMID: 32656107 DOI: 10.18683/germs.2020.1191
    Introduction: We report the results of a molecular surveillance study carried out on methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) isolated in a one-year duration from Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz (HCTM), a tertiary hospital located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

    Methods: The first strain isolated from each MSSA infection in HCTM during the year 2009 was included into the study. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing and agr group typing were carried out for all strains; virulence gene (cna, seh, TSST-1 and PVL) typing results of the strains were obtained from a previous study. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was done on selected strains from the orthopedic ward. Relationship(s) between different typing methods used in the study was investigated, where a p value of <0.05 indicated significant association between typing methods.

    Results: A total of 880 MSSA strains were included into the study. The strains were generally susceptible to most antibiotics, with most of them carrying cna and agr-I (51.6%, n=454; 39.8%, n=350, respectively). A total of 17 PFGE pulsotypes were identified using an 80% similarity cut-off value, where the main pulsotype (pulsotype E) consisted of 24 isolates (23.5%). agr-III strains were found to be usually positive for both cna and seh (p<0.05). In addition, some PFGE pulsotypes were also characteristic of certain virulence genes or agr groups.

    Conclusions: We did not identify a dominant MSSA clone circulating in HCTM in 2009. Nevertheless, results from this molecular surveillance will provide good baseline data for the hospital's second S. aureus surveillance planned for the year 2020.

    Matched MeSH terms: Tertiary Care Centers
  5. Koong JK, Rajandram R, Sidambram N, Narayanan V
    Surgeon, 2021 May 08.
    PMID: 33975807 DOI: 10.1016/j.surge.2021.04.002
    BACKGROUND: Consent is an important component of surgical care. Poorly attempted consent bears significant ethical and legal implications. We assessed the effectiveness of handouts in improving postoperative consent understanding and recall compared to standard verbal consent during laparoscopic cholecystectomy as a tool that may improve information retention and leads to better treatment satisfaction.

    METHODS: This is a prospective block randomized, non-blinded study conducted at a single tertiary hospital. Patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy between August 2017 and October 2018 were recruited and randomized into Handout Assisted Consent (HC) and Verbal Consent (VC) group. The HC group was given an adjunct handout on laparoscopic cholecystectomy during consent process in addition to the standard verbal consent. A validated open-ended verbal understanding and recall questionnaire was administered to all patients in both groups at Day 1, 30 and 90 after surgery. Patient satisfaction of the consent process was evaluated with Likert scale.

    RESULTS: A total of 79 patients were enrolled, 41 patients and 38 patients in VC and HC groups respectively. Level of understanding among patients were equal and consistent across time in both groups (P > 0.05). There was significant decline (P  0.05).

    CONCLUSION: There is good consistent understanding of the surgery in both groups. However, recall of specific surgical consent items decreased significantly over time in both groups. Handouts may have increased satisfaction among patients but did not improve recall in this preliminary study.

    TRIAL REGISTRATION: MREC No.:201783-5468.

    Matched MeSH terms: Tertiary Care Centers
  6. Kan E, Mustafa S, Chong WW, Premakumar CM, Mohamed Shah N
    Patient Prefer Adherence, 2020;14:1411-1419.
    PMID: 32848370 DOI: 10.2147/PPA.S255289
    Context: Pain is a common and distressing symptom among cancer patients. Opioid analgesics are the mainstay of cancer pain management, and adequate adherence plays an important role in achieving good pain control.

    Purpose: To determine the level of adherence to opioid analgesics in patients with cancer pain and to identify factors that may influence the adherence.

    Patient and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted from March to June 2018 at two tertiary care hospitals in Malaysia. Study instruments consisted of a set of validated questionnaires; the Medication Compliance Questionnaire, Brief Pain Inventory and Pain Opioid Analgesic Beliefs─Cancer scale.

    Results: A total of 134 patients participated in this study. The patients' adherence scores ranged from 52-100%. Factors with a moderate, statistically significant negative correlation with adherence were negative effect beliefs (rs= -0.53, p<0.001), pain endurance beliefs (rs = -0.49, p<0.001) and the use of aqueous morphine (rs = -0.26, p=0.002). A multiple linear regression model on these predictors resulted in a final model which accounted for 47.0% of the total variance in adherence (R2 = 0.47, F (7, 126) = 15.75, p<0.001). After controlling for other variables, negative effect beliefs were the strongest contributor to the model (β = -0.39, p<0.001) and uniquely explained 12.3% of the total variance.

    Conclusion: The overall adherence to opioid analgesics among Malaysian patients with cancer pain was good. Negative effects beliefs regarding cancer pain and opioids strongly predicted adherence.

    Matched MeSH terms: Tertiary Care Centers
  7. Marina, M.B., Mohd Tahir, J., Mawaddah, A., Asma, A., Mohd Razif, M.Y., Jemaima, C.H.
    Medicine & Health, 2018;13(2):36-47.
    MyJurnal
    Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) affects 2-5% of the middle-aged population and is a potentially life-threatening condition. Previous studies on OSA and glaucoma have reported mixed findings. This was a cross-sectional comparative study with a study duration of one year to compare the incidence of high intraocular pressure among OSA subjects and non-OSA subjects. This study took place in a tertiary hospital where a total of 50 subjects with OSA and 50 non-OSA subjects were recruited. The average age was 37 years (19,65) in a multiethnic study population (76% (Malay), 18% (Chinese) and 6% (Indian)). All patients underwent a full night computer-assisted polysomnogram (SOMNOCheck Effort Weinmann, Hamburg, Germany), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Mullers manouevre (MM) to assess the level of obstruction and tonometry. The incidence of high Intra Ocular Pressure (IOP) among OSA subject was 52% with a significant difference between non-OSA and OSA subjects. Correlation between ESS and IOP were significant (p
    Matched MeSH terms: Tertiary Care Centers
  8. Oh AL, Tan AGHK, Chieng IYY
    J Pharm Pract, 2021 Jan 12.
    PMID: 33433248 DOI: 10.1177/0897190020987127
    INTRODUCTION: Medication history assessment during hospital admissions is an important element in the medication reconciliation process. It ensures continuity of care and reduces medication errors.

    OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the incidence of unintentional discrepancies (medication errors), types of medication errors with its potential severity of patient harm and acceptance rate of pharmaceutical care interventions.

    METHODS: A four-month cross-sectional study was conducted in the general medical wards of a tertiary hospital. All newly admitted patients with at least one prescription medication were recruited via purposive sampling. Medication history assessments were done by clinical pharmacists within 24 hours or as soon as possible after admission. Pharmacist-acquired medication histories were then compared with in-patient medication charts to detect discrepancies. Verification of the discrepancies, interventions, and assessment of the potential severity of patient harm resulting from medication errors were collaboratively carried out with the treating doctors.

    RESULTS: There were 990 medication discrepancies detected among 390 patients recruited in this study. One hundred and thirty-five (13.6%) medication errors were detected in 93 (23.8%) patients (1.45 errors per patient). These were mostly contributed by medication omissions (79.3%), followed by dosing errors (9.6%). Among these errors, 88.2% were considered "significant" or "serious" but none were "life-threatening." Most (83%) of the pharmaceutical interventions were accepted by the doctors.

    CONCLUSION: Medication history assessment by pharmacists proved vital in detecting medication errors, mostly medication omissions. Majority of the errors intervened by pharmacists were accepted by the doctors which prevented potential significant or serious patient harm.

    Matched MeSH terms: Tertiary Care Centers
  9. Saiful Bahri A, Tuan Mahmood TM, Abdul-Aziz SA, Makmor-Bakry M, Mohamed Shah N
    Patient Prefer Adherence, 2021;15:227-235.
    PMID: 33568899 DOI: 10.2147/PPA.S293029
    Context: Globally, breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women, and adjuvant endocrine therapy (AET) is part of its treatment modality, which improves patients' outcome. However, there are concerns on side effects related to its use, which may affect treatment adherence.

    Purpose: This study was conducted to explore attitude and practice on using AET among breast cancer patients in Malaysia.

    Patients and Methods: Postmenopausal breast cancer patients on at least 3 months of AET attending the outpatient oncology clinic at a tertiary care hospital were interviewed. Patients underwent in-depth interviews exploring their attitude and practices while on AET using a semi-structured interview guide. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using thematic analysis.

    Results: There were four main themes for attitude toward the use of AET: 1) benefits of using AET, 2) concerns on taking AET, 3) beliefs on alternative treatment, and 4) beliefs toward the doctor. For practice, six themes were obtained: 1) correct use of AET, 2) appointment adherence, 3) information-seeking behavior, 4) counseling services obtained, 5) experienced side effects of AET, and 6) usage of complementary and alternative medicines.

    Conclusion: Several themes concerning attitude and practice of breast cancer patients receiving AET were identified, which may be addressed during treatment consultations in clinical practice.

    Matched MeSH terms: Tertiary Care Centers
  10. Mohd Taib N, Ahmad H, Soh KL, Md Shah A, Amin Nordin S, Than Thian Lung L, et al.
    Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis, 2020 04;20(4):268-274.
    PMID: 32013800 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2018.2417
    Introduction:
    Incidence of leptospirosis has increased within the past few years in many countries. Its clinical presentations were generally nonspecific, making it difficult to assist in the diagnosis. Besides the determination of the common clinical features, the sociodemographic background is essential to identify high-risk populations to assist in prevention.
    Methods:
    Data for this study were obtained from electronic medical records among patients clinically diagnosed with leptospirosis at a tertiary hospital in Malaysia from the years 2011 to 2015 and were recorded using standard pro forma. Associations between clinical features and sociodemographics were performed using bivariate analysis and logistic regression.
    Results:
    Data were collected from 283 patients. Their mean age was 30.71 years old. Out of 283 patients, 206 (72.8%) were male. Involvement in outdoor events and water activities was the highest risk factor of acquiring leptospirosis in 64 (22.7%) patients followed by 59 (20.8%) patients who were staying in crowded housing areas with poor sanitation. Although fever was the main clinical presentation in 274 (96.8%) patients with leptospirosis, gastrointestinal (GIT) symptoms were the second most frequent in 159 (56.2%) patients followed by pulmonary symptoms, myalgia, headache, and jaundice. From the total number of 283 patients, only 21 (92.6%) presented with severe leptospirosis. GIT symptoms were a significant predictor for leptospirosis severity, while the age group was the significant sociodemographic factor toward GIT presentation in leptospirosis. The relationship between GIT symptoms and crowded housing areas with poor sanitation was also significant. Multivariable logistic regression showed that crowded housing areas with poor sanitation (odds ratio [OR] = 3.570, p 
    Matched MeSH terms: Tertiary Care Centers
  11. Zakaria N, Mohd Yusof SA
    J Infect Public Health, 2016 Nov-Dec;9(6):774-780.
    PMID: 27686258 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2016.08.017
    BACKGROUND: Hospital Information Systems (HIS) can improve healthcare outcome quality, increase efficiency, and reduce errors. The government of Malaysia implemented HIS across the country to maximize the use of technology to improve healthcare delivery, however, little is known about the benefits and challenges of HIS adoption in each institution. This paper looks at the technology and people issues in adopting such systems.

    METHODS: The study used a case study approach, using an in-depth interview with multidisciplinary medical team members who were using the system on a daily basis. A thematic analysis using Atlas.ti was employed to understand the complex relations among themes and sub-themes to discover the patterns in the data. .

    RESULTS: Users found the new system increased the efficiency of workflows and saved time. They reported less redundancy of work and improved communication among medical team members. Data retrieval and storage were also mentioned as positive results of the new HIS system. Healthcare workers showed positive attitudes during training and throughout the learning process.

    CONCLUSIONS: From a technological perspective, it was found that medical workers using HIS has better access and data management compared to the previously used manual system. The human issues analysis reveals positive attitudes toward using HIS among the users especially from the physicians' side.
    Matched MeSH terms: Tertiary Care Centers
  12. Lim, K.J., Omar, M.H., Jamil, M.A., Ng, S.P.
    MyJurnal
    Introduction: Operative laparoscopy is the gold standard approach for treatment of tubal pregnancy. Although benefits of this approach are well established, data on its uptake trend in Malaysia is largely unknown. Objective: This study aims to determine the operative laparoscopy uptake in management of tubal pregnancy at a busy tertiary hospital and whether the benefits associated with laparoscopic surgery was achieved. Materials and Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted on all women admitted for tubal pregnancy at Hospital Sultanah Aminah, Johor Bahru, a public tertiary hospital over a period of 12 months. The on-call team was responsible for the surgical approach. Patient’s clinical presentation, operative laparoscopic uptake, factors affecting the choice of approach and duration of hospitalization were analyzed. Results: The tubal pregnancy rate was 7.6 per 1000 deliveries. Twenty- seven of the 138 cases (20%) had hypovolemic shock, requiring urgent laparotomy and were excluded from study. The operative laparoscopy rate for stable tubal pregnancy was only 42.3% (47 of 111 cases). Women managed laparoscopically were associated with a significantly higher pre-operative hemoglobin level, mostly nullipara and had surgery performed during office hours. They waited longer for their surgery but were discharged earlier compared to the laparotomy group. There was no difference in the duration of hospitalization. Conclusions: Less than half of all hemodynamically stable tubal pregnancies in our hospital had operative laparoscopy. The current laparoscopy uptake rate can be further improved.
    Matched MeSH terms: Tertiary Care Centers
  13. Chan HK, Hassali MA, Lim CJ, Saleem F, Ghani NA
    Pharm Pract (Granada), 2016 Apr-Jun;14(2):699.
    PMID: 27382422 DOI: 10.18549/PharmPract.2016.02.699
    BACKGROUND: Inadequacies of drug labeling have been frequently reported among Malaysian healthcare institutes, in which the Hospital Information System (HIS) is used.
    OBJECTIVE: To identify potential areas to improve the existing labels used for pediatric liquid medications.
    METHODS: This study was qualitative in nature, whereby focus group discussions (FGDs), face-to-face interviews (FTFIs), and onsite observation were used for data collection. Pharmacists stationed at three units (outpatient, inpatient and clinical pharmacy) of a tertiary hospital were targeted. Both FGDs and FTFIs were facilitated using a semi-structured interview guide, video-recorded and transcribed verbatim. All transcripts were thematically analyzed using content analysis approach.
    RESULTS: Thirteen pharmacists participated in FGDs, while five were approached for FTFIs. Data analysis resulted in four major themes: format of labels, presentation of medication instructions, insufficiency of information, and the need for external aids and education. Participants unanimously agreed on the need for enlarging font sizes of key information. Suggestions were made to use more specific instructions for administration times and pictograms to illustrate important directions. The absence of information about storage, stability and handling of liquid medications was also highlighted. While discussion mainly focused on improving drug labeling, participants consistently stressed the need for an instruction sheet and pharmacist-based, one-to-one education regarding medication instructions.
    CONCLUSION: This study provides important insights into critical shortcomings in current labeling practice, underlying the need for developing a new label that incorporates a new format, additional information and pictograms for pediatric liquid medications.
    KEYWORDS: Child; Drug labeling; Hospital; Hospital Information Systems; Malaysia; Medication Errors; Pharmacy Service
    Matched MeSH terms: Tertiary Care Centers
  14. Nazimah, I., Noor Sham, Y.L., Khairun Niza, C.N., Mohd Ikhsan, S., Nadzratulaiman, N., Juliana, Y.
    MyJurnal
    Objective: To evaluate the factors that contributes to the decision for termination of pregnancy in prenatally diagnosed fetal anomaly cases.
    Methods: A retrospective analysis of all cases of prenatally diagnosed fetal anomaly who delivered between 1 January 2007 and 30 June 2009 in two tertiary hospitals in Malaysia.
    Results: A total of seventy-two (72) prenatally diagnosed pregnancies with fetal anomalies were identified. Mean maternal age was 29.8 ± 5.5 years and mean parity 1.47 ± 1.8. 70.8% of patients were ethnic Malay, 15.3% Chinese and 12.5% ethnic Indian. 22 (30.6%) fetuses were lethally abnormal. The overall pregnancy termination rate was 29.2%. 50% of pregnancies with lethally abnormal fetuses were terminated compared to 20% of pregnancies with non-lethal abnormality (p
    Matched MeSH terms: Tertiary Care Centers
  15. Ali, M.F., Aziz, N.A., Aznida, F.A.A., Rizal, A.M., Azmin, S.
    Medicine & Health, 2013;8(1):19-27.
    MyJurnal
    Functional recovery in the immediate post stroke period predicts the long-term prognosis of post stroke patients. Despite the advancement in stroke rehabilitation in improving the physical function of survivors, there are other factors that may influence functional recovery. We aimed to assess the functional recovery of ischaemic stroke patients attending a tertiary hospital and its associated factors in order to make recommendations for post stroke care after hospital admission. A three months prospective observational study looking at functional recovery using the Modified Barthel’s Index (MBI) and depression (Patient Heath Questionnaire-9) score of post stroke patients. There were 46 ischaemic stroke patients who were recruited for the study. At three months, only 37 patients were eligible for analysis. The mean age was 67.2 (SD 11) years with the Malays (50%) making up the majority of the patients, followed by Chinese (41.3%) and Indians (8.7%). There was a total of seven (15.2%) deaths. Hypertension was the most common risk factor (89.1%) followed by dyslipidaemia (65.2%) and diabetes mellitus (63.0%). The mean MBI difference was 45.2 (SD 27.0) with a median MBI of 17.0(IQR 33.0) at baseline compared to 85.0(IQR 42.0) at three months (p < 0.001, CI 35.98,55.45). The prevalence of depression (PHQ-9≥10) was 21.6%. Lower functional recovery was found among depressed patients (p
    Matched MeSH terms: Tertiary Care Centers
  16. Raja Lexshimi, R. G., Zaleha, M.I., Wahida Daud, Mohd Said Nurumal, Syed Zulkifli, S.Z.
    MyJurnal
    Breast self-examination (BSE) is recommended globally as one of the methods in early detection of breast cancer. Little is known about nurses screening behavior related to BSE. A cross-sectional study was conducted to examine the knowledge, attitude and practice of Breast Self Examination (BSE) among nurses. A self-administered questionnaire was sent to a total of 114 nurses working in Obstetrics & Gynaecology wards and clinics of two tertiary hospitals. Among the 114 participants, 111(97.4%) practiced BSE. The mean age of the participants was 34.97(±9.104) years. The mean score of knowledge was 11.07(±1.020) and 81.1% had high knowledge of BSE. Majority (98.2%) of respondents showed good attitude towards BSE. Barriers was found to be a significant predictor and self confidence proved to be an influencing factor on BSE performance. Despite practicing BSE, the number of nurses that examined their breast monthly was only 35.1%. Age, working experience and marital status showed no significant relationship with knowledge and practice of BSE. However, BSE taught during their undergraduate programme was found to have a significant relationship with practice of BSE. Majority of nurses in this study were not complying with MOH recommendation for BSE in terms of frequency. Thus, intervention strategies should focus on educating nurses on performing BSE monthly, in accordance with the Ministry of Health guidelines. This is important as nurses play a primary role in promoting health behaviors in BSE practice and breast cancer awareness among women in this country.
    Matched MeSH terms: Tertiary Care Centers
  17. Noor Aini Hussain, Mohamed Rusli Abdullah, Abdul Rahman Esa, Muzaimi Mustapha, Nasir Yusoff
    ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry, 2014;15(2):164-175.
    MyJurnal
    Objective: The involvement of families in assisting health professionals in providing care for their family members who suffer a stroke during hospitalization is common in Malaysia. Family caregivers are accountable in providing for the first-ever stroke survivor’s needs, including maintaining functional improvements gained in rehabilitation and the long-term well-being of the stroke survivors. The objective of this study was to determine the predictors of life satisfaction among family caregivers of hospitalized first-ever stroke patients. Methods: This was a cross-sectional community research design study with purposive sampling. It involved 102 family caregivers of hospitalized first-ever stroke patients of two tertiary hospitals in Kelantan. The Bakas Caregiving Outcomes Score (BCOS) was used to measure life satisfaction. Multiple linear regression was used to determine the predictors of life satisfaction. Results: Out of 102 respondents, 21 were males and 81 were females with age range of 16 to 76 years. Significant predictors of life satisfaction of caregivers while caring for their hospitalized first-ever stroke family members were caregivers’ health (β: -2.875, 95%CI: -5.725, -0.025, p = 0.048), patients’ age (β: - 4.251, 95% CI: - 6.379, -2.123, p
    Matched MeSH terms: Tertiary Care Centers
  18. Nor Adina, A.T., Ahmad, M.A., Uduman, A., Hamidon, B.B.
    MyJurnal
    Pneumonia is one of the most common complications of stroke with significant impact on patients’ outcome. The aim of this study is to look for the predictors of stroke-associated pneumonia (SAP) and its 30-day mortality and to analyse the survival of ischaemic stroke patients with pneumonia. Methodology: This is a prospective observational study, involving all acute first time ischaemic stroke patients admitted to a tertiary hospital that fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria over a 6-month period. Demographic data were obtained on admission. Patients were reassessed for SAP, on day 5 and day 30. Assessment was done using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, Barthel index and modified Rankin scale (MRS). All patients with pneumonia were assessed with the pneumonia severity index (PSI) for SAP. Results: One hundred and twenty patients were enrolled consecutively within the 6-month study period. 15.8% developed SAP. Independent predictors of SAP were clinical dysphagia (OR 76.32; 95%CI 4.46 to 1307.05), random blood glucose (RBS) on admission (OR 1.34; 95%CI 1.06 to 1.68) and NIHSS score on admission (OR 1.15; 95%CI 1.02 to 1.30). Independent predictors for 30-day mortality were NIHSS score on day 5 (OR 1.20; 95%CI 1.08 to 1.33) and occurrence of pneumonia (OR 14.90; 95% CI 3.34 to 66.42). There was a significant difference in mean survival between SAP and non-SAP patients. Conclusions: Clinical dysphagia, RBS on admission and NIHSS score on admission were independent predictors of SAP. NIHSS score on day 5 and pneumonia were independent predictors of 30-day mortality. SAP patients had shorter survival
    time compared to non-SAP patients.
    Matched MeSH terms: Tertiary Care Centers
  19. Kuan YC, Tan CH, Hong CM, How SH
    MyJurnal
    Introduction: Various initiatives and medications have been introduced to achieve better control of bronchial asthma. However total control according to Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) remains elusive even at tertiary referral hospitals. Our study is to determine the level of asthma control (according to GINA 2009), Asthma Control Test (ACT) scores and the types of medications used among patients with bronchial asthma in a large tertiary hospital.
    Methods: A cross-sectional study of all patients with bronchial asthma who attended the Chest Clinic at Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan (HTAA) from 2009 to 2011. Patient demographics, self-administered ACT scores, GINA-defined level of asthma control and medications were documented.
    Results: 208 patients were recruited. There were 23.2%, 46.3% and 30.5% of patients with controlled, partly controlled and uncontrolled asthma respectively. The median ACT scores was 19 [inter quartile range (IQR) 6]. The most frequently used preventer therapy was inhaled long-acting β-agonist/corticosteroids (LABA/ICS) fixed-dose combination (61.7%), and 9.6% were not on preventer therapy. 75% of patients with controlled asthma were on LABA/ICS compared to 58.5% of the partly controlled and uncontrolled groups (p=0.039).
    Conclusion: The majority of the asthmatic patients attending the Chest Clinic at HTAA did not have GINA-defined controlled asthma. Patients with higher ACT scores had better control of asthma. There were more patients with controlled asthma who were on LABA/ICS combination.
    KEYWORDS: Bronchial asthma, level of control, Asthma Control Test
    Study site: Chest Clinic, Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan (HTAA), Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia
    Device, Questionnaire & Scale: Asthma Control Test (ACT)
    Matched MeSH terms: Tertiary Care Centers
  20. Tai, Sharon Mei-Ling, Hazman Mohd Nor, Kartini Rahmat, Pow, Zhen Yuan, Ong, Lay Sim, Tan, Chong Tin, et al.
    Neurology Asia, 2017;22(4):313-323.
    MyJurnal
    Background: Tuberculous disease of spine (spinal TB) is under-recognized in tuberculous (TB) meningitis.
    The objective of the study was to evaluate the frequency, clinical and neuroimaging changes, and
    outcome in the patients with spinal TB.

    Methods: All the patients with spinal TB admitted in the two
    largest tertiary hospitals in Kuala Lumpur from 2009 to 2017 were recruited, the clinical features were
    documented, the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the spine was performed. Clinical outcome was
    assessed with Modified Rankin scale (MRS).

    Results: Twenty two patients were recruited. This was
    out of 70 TB meningitis patients (31.4%) seen over the same period. Eighteen (81.8%) patients had
    concomitant TB meningitis. The clinical features consisted of systemic symptoms with fever (63.6%),
    meningitis symptoms with altered sensorium (45.5%), myelopathy with paraparesis (36.4%). The
    findings on spinal MRI were discitis (36.4%), spinal meningeal enhancement (31.8%), spinal cord
    compression (31.8%), psoas abscess (27.3%), osteomyelitis (22.7%), and cord oedema (22.7%). All
    except two patients (90.9%) had involvement in psoas muscle, bone or leptomeningeal enhancement,
    features that can be used to differentiate from myelopathy that affect the parenchyma only, such as
    demyelination. Unusual manifestations were syringomyelia and paradoxical manifestations seen in 3
    patients each. The outcome were overall poor, with 68% having MRS 3 or more.

    Conclusion: Spinal TB is common in TB meningitis. The outcome is overall poor. A heightened
    awareness is crucial to enable early diagnosis and treatment.
    Matched MeSH terms: Tertiary Care Centers
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