Displaying publications 141 - 160 of 183 in total

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  1. Ishaqui AA, Khan AH, Syed Sulaiman SA, Alsultan MT, Khan I, Al Nami H
    Pak J Pharm Sci, 2019 May;32(3 (Supplementary)):1225-1233.
    PMID: 31303595
    The aim of the study is to assess and compare the impact of antiviral drug alone and in combination with antibiotic for prevention of Influenza-A H1N1 induced acute kidney injury (AKI) in hospitalized patients. Hospitalized admitted patients with confirmed diagnosis of Influenza-A H1N1 infection were divided into two groups: group 1, which received antiviral (oseltamivir) drug alone and group 2, which received antiviral (oseltamivir) in combination with empirically prescribed antibiotic. Patients of both groups were assessed for incidences of AKI by two criteria i.e Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN) and RIFLE. A total of 329 patients (176 for group 1 and 153 for group 2) were enrolled. According to RIFLE criteria, 23(13%) of group 1 and 9(6%) patients of groups 2 were suffered from AKI with statistically significant difference (P<0.05). Also as per AKIN criteria, the incidence of AKI is statistically significantly difference (P<0.05) between both groups with 18(10%) patients and 6(4%) patients of group 1 and 2 respectively. Length of hospitalization was statistically less (P<0.05) in group 2 patients. The incidences of AKI in Influenza-A H1N1 treated with antiviral and antibiotic combination was statistically less as compared to patients who were given antiviral alone for treatment of influenza infection.
  2. Bukhsh A, Lee SWH, Pusparajah P, Khan AH, Khan TM
    Front Public Health, 2017;5:139.
    PMID: 28702453 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2017.00139
    OBJECTIVE: Patient education is a key element in the treatment of diabetes. Assessment of diabetes knowledge is important for optimum treatment. For the assessment of diabetes knowledge, validated tool is essential. None of such validated tool is available in Urdu language. Therefore, the aim of this study was to translate and examine the psychometric properties of the 24-item Urdu version of Diabetes Knowledge Questionnaire (DKQ) among type 2 diabetes patients.

    METHODS: Standard "forward-backward" process was used to translate DKQ into Urdu language. Later, it was validated on a convenience sample of 130 patients with type 2 diabetes, between July and September 2016. Internal consistency was assessed by reliability analysis, one-way analysis of variance was applied for known group validity and multivariate linear logistic regression was applied for identifying significant predictors for patients' DKQ score.

    RESULTS: Good internal consistency was observed for DKQ (Cronbach's α = 0.702). The mean HbA1c of the patients was 8.55% (±1.91). DKQ scores of patients' with "good glycemic control" (14.22 ± 2.4) were observed significantly higher (P 
  3. Mallhi TH, Khan AH, Adnan AS, Sarriff A, Khan YH, Jummaat F
    PLoS One, 2015;10(9):e0138465.
    PMID: 26421839 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0138465
    BACKGROUND: Dengue induced acute kidney injury (AKI) imposes heavy burden of illness in terms of morbidity and mortality. A retrospective study was conducted to investigate incidence, characteristics, risk factors and clinical outcomes of AKI among dengue patients.

    METHODOLOGY: A total 667 dengue patients (2008-2013) were retrospectively evaluated and were stratified into AKI and non-AKI groups by using AKIN criteria. Two groups were compared by using appropriate statistical methods.

    RESULTS: There were 95 patients (14.2%) who had AKI, with AKIN-I, AKIN-II and AKIN-III in 76.8%, 16.8% and 6.4% patients, respectively. Significant differences (P<0.05) in demographics and clinico-laboratory characteristics were observed between patients with and without AKI. Presence of dengue hemorrhagic fever [OR (95% CI): 8.0 (3.64–17.59), P<0.001],rhabdomyolysis [OR (95% CI): 7.9 (3.04–20.49)], multiple organ dysfunction OR (95% CI):17.9 (9.14–35.12), P<0.001], diabetes mellitus [OR (95% CI): 4.7 (1.12–19.86), P = 0.034], late hospitalization [OR (95% CI): 2.1 (1.12–19.86), P = 0.033] and use of nephrotoxic drugs [OR(95% CI): 2.9 (1.12–19.86), P = 0.006] were associated with AKI. Longer hospital stay (>3days) was also observed among AKI patients (OR = 1.3, P = 0.044) [corrected].Additionally, 48.4% AKI patients had renal insufficiencies at discharge that were signicantly associated with severe dengue, secondary infection and diabetes mellitus. Overall mortality was 1.2% and all fatal cases had AKI.

    CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of AKI is high at 14.2% among dengue patients, and those with AKI portended significant morbidity, mortality, longer hospital stay and poor renal outcomes. Our findings suggest that AKI in dengue is likely to increase healthcare burden that underscores the need of clinicians' alertness to this highly morbid and potentially fatal complication for optimal prevention and management.

  4. Khan YH, Sarriff A, Adnan AS, Khan AH, Mallhi TH
    PLoS One, 2016;11(7):e0159335.
    PMID: 27442587 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0159335
    BACKGROUND: Despite promising role of diuretics to manage fluid overload among chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, their use is associated with adverse renal outcomes. Current study aimed to determine the extent of renal deterioration with diuretic therapy.

    METHODS: A total 312 non-dialysis dependent CKD (NDD-CKD) patients were prospectively followed-up for one year. Fluid overload was assessed via bioimpedance spectroscopy. Estimated GFR (eGFR) was calculated from serum creatinine values by using Chronic Kidney Disease- Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation.

    RESULTS: Out of 312 patients, 64 (20.5%) were hypovolemic while euvolemia and hypervolemia were observed in 113 (36.1%) and 135 (43.4%) patients. Overall 144 patients were using diuretics among which 98 (72.6%) were hypervolemic, 35 (30.9%) euvolemic and 11 (17.2%) were hypovolemic. The mean decline in estimated GFR of entire cohort was -2.5 ± 1.4 ml/min/1.73m2 at the end of follow up. The use of diuretics was significantly associated with decline in eGFR. A total of 36 (11.5%) patients initiated renal replacement therapy (RRT) and need of RRT was more profound among diuretic users.

    CONCLUSIONS: The use of diuretics was associated with adverse renal outcomes indicated by decline in eGFR and increasing risk of RRT initiation in our cohort of NDD-CKD patients. Therefore, it is cautiously suggested to carefully prescribe diuretics by keeping in view benefit versus harm for each patient.

  5. Ahmad N, Tayyeb D, Ali I, K Alruwaili N, Ahmad W, Ur Rehman A, et al.
    Polymers (Basel), 2020 Mar 03;12(3).
    PMID: 32138203 DOI: 10.3390/polym12030548
    Hemicelluloses are biopolymers with versatile properties for biomedical applications. Herein, hemicellulose (arabinoxylan)-based antibacterial film dressings were prepared and characterized. Arabinoxylan was isolated from psyllium husk. Blank and gentamicin-loaded films were prepared by the solvent cast method using glycerol as the plasticizer. The appropriate composition of the films was obtained by varying the amounts of arabinoxylan, glycerol, and gentamicin. The films were found to be transparent, smooth, bubble-free, flexible, and easily peelable with 2% to 3% arabinoxylan. They had uniform thickness and swelled up to 60% of their initial size. The mechanical properties and water vapor transmission rate through the films were found to be suitable for wound-dressing application. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis confirmed drug-film compatibility. In an in vitro release study, more than 85% of the gentamicin was released from the films in 12 h. The antibacterial activities of the gentamicin-loaded films were found to be close to the standard gentamicin solution. The films were found to be cytocompatible in cell viability assay. These results suggested that hemicellulose-based films are promising materials for the dressing of infected wounds.
  6. Zawiah M, Khan AH, Farha RA, Usman A, Al-Ashwal FY, Akkaif MA
    Front Neurol, 2024;15:1322971.
    PMID: 38361641 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1322971
    BACKGROUND: Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) remains a substantial global health challenge, contributing to increased morbidity, disability, and mortality. This study aimed at investigating the predictive value of the neutrophil percentage to albumin ratio (NPAR) in determining intensive care unit (ICU) admission among AIS patients.

    METHODS: A retrospective observational study was conducted, involving AIS cases admitted to a tertiary hospital in Jordan between 2015 and 2020. Lab data were collected upon admission, and the primary outcome was ICU admission during hospitalization. Descriptive and inferential analyses were performed using SPSS version 29.

    RESULTS: In this study involving 364 AIS patients, a subset of 77 (21.2%) required admission to the ICU during their hospital stay, most frequently within the first week of admission. Univariable analysis revealed significantly higher NPAR levels in ICU-admitted ischemic stroke patients compared to those who were not admitted (23.3 vs. 15.7, p 

  7. Salman M, Khan AH, Adnan AS, Sulaiman SA, Hussain K, Shehzadi N, et al.
    Sao Paulo Med J, 2015;133(6):502-9.
    PMID: 26760124 DOI: 10.1590/1516-3180.2015.005
    CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an escalating medical and socioeconomic problem worldwide. Information concerning the causes of CKD, which is a prerequisite for reducing the disease burden, is sparse in Malaysia. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the attributable causes of CKD in an adult population at a tertiary referral hospital.

    DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective study at Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM).

    METHODS: This was an analysis based on medical records of adult patients at HUSM. Data regarding demographics, laboratory investigations, attributable causes and CKD stage were gathered.

    RESULTS: A total of 851 eligible cases were included. The patients' mean age was 61.18 ± 13.37 years. CKD stage V was found in 333 cases (39.1%) whereas stages IV, IIIb, IIIa, and II were seen in 240 (28.2%), 186 (21.9%), 74 (8.7%) and 18 (2.1%), respectively. The percentage of CKD stage V patients receiving renal replacement therapy was 15.6%. The foremost attributable causes of CKD were diabetic nephropathy (DN) (44.9%), hypertension (HPT) (24.2%) and obstructive uropathy (9.2%). The difference in the prevalence of CKD due to DN, HPT and glomerulonephritis between patients ≤ 50 and > 50 years old was statistically significant.

    CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that DN and HPT are the major attributable causes of CKD among patients at a Malaysian tertiary-care hospital. Furthermore, the results draw attention to the possibility that greater emphasis on primary prevention of diabetes and hypertension will have a great impact on reduction of hospital admissions due to CKD in Malaysia.

  8. Iqbal MZ, Alqahtani SS, Mubarak N, Shahid S, Mohammed R, Mustafa A, et al.
    Front Public Health, 2024;12:1323102.
    PMID: 38476498 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1323102
    BACKGROUND: Health care providers are mandated to deliver specialized care for the treatment and control of type 2 diabetes mellitus. In Malaysia, Diabetes Medication Therapy Adherence Clinics (DMTAC) in tertiary hospitals have designated pharmacists to administer these services.

    OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of pharmacist-led interventions within DMTAC on the outcomes of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in two distinct hospitals in Kedah, Malaysia.

    METHODS: Patients with type 2 diabetes were randomly selected from the two hospitals included in this study. The study population was divided into two equal groups. The control group consisted of 200 patients receiving routine care from the hospitals. On the other hand, the intervention group included those patients with type 2 diabetes (200), who received separate counseling sessions from pharmacists in the DMTAC departments along with the usual treatment. The study lasted 1 year, during which both study groups participated in two distinct visits.

    RESULTS: Parametric data were analyzed by a paired t-test and one-way ANOVA, while non-parametric data were analyzed by a Chi-squared test using SPSS v24. A p 

  9. Danial M, Hassali MA, Meng OL, Kin YC, Khan AH
    BMC Pharmacol Toxicol, 2019 07 08;20(1):41.
    PMID: 31287030 DOI: 10.1186/s40360-019-0318-6
    BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a significant health burden that increases the risk of adverse events. Currently, there is no validated models to predict risk of mortality among CKD patients experienced adverse drug reactions (ADRs) during hospitalization. This study aimed to develop a mortality risk prediction model among hospitalized CKD patients whom experienced ADRs.

    METHODS: Patients data with CKD stages 3-5 admitted at various wards were included in the model development. The data collected included demographic characteristics, comorbid conditions, laboratory tests and types of medicines taken. Sequential series of logistic regression models using mortality as the dependent variable were developed. Bootstrapping method was used to evaluate the model's internal validation. Variables odd ratio (OR) of the best model were used to calculate the predictive capacity of the risk scores using the area under the curve (AUC).

    RESULTS: The best prediction model included comorbidities heart disease, dyslipidaemia and electrolyte imbalance; psychotic agents; creatinine kinase; number of total medication use; and conservative management (Hosmer and Lemeshow test =0.643). Model performance was relatively modest (R square = 0.399) and AUC which determines the risk score's ability to predict mortality associated with ADRs was 0.789 (95% CI, 0.700-0.878). Creatinine kinase, followed by psychotic agents and electrolyte disorder, was most strongly associated with mortality after ADRs during hospitalization. This model correctly predicts 71.4% of all mortality pertaining to ADRs (sensitivity) and with specificity of 77.3%.

    CONCLUSION: Mortality prediction model among hospitalized stages 3 to 5 CKD patients experienced ADR was developed in this study. This prediction model adds new knowledge to the healthcare system despite its modest performance coupled with its high sensitivity and specificity. This tool is clinically useful and effective in identifying potential CKD patients at high risk of ADR-related mortality during hospitalization using routinely performed clinical data.

  10. Azim T, Khan AH, Sadiq F, Sulaiman SAS, Khan A, Ain Q
    BMC Nephrol, 2024 Nov 06;25(1):399.
    PMID: 39506723 DOI: 10.1186/s12882-024-03821-6
    BACKGROUND: Recent reports have revealed that nephropathy leading to kidney injury (KI) is a prevalent complication of COVID-19 and is linked to high mortality and morbidity in diabetes mellitus type II (DM-T-II) patients. This systematic literature review and meta-analysis aimed to critically analyze existing studies and evidence on the impact of COVID-19 on nephropathy and kidney injury in diabetes mellitus type II (DM-T-II) patients.

    METHOD: A systematic search was conducted in the Web of Science (WoS), PubMed and Cochrane databases for relevant studies published between March 2020 and July 2023. To ensure the integrity of the systematic literature review and meta-analysis, observational studies that specifically reported post-COVID-19 kidney injury in DM-T2 patients were included, whereas we did not include articles in the press, meta-analyses, case reports, case series, Diabetes Type-I articles or non-English papers. The primary outcome was kidney injury in patients with type II diabetes after contracting COVID-19. The protocol for this study was published on PROSPERO (registration number CRD42023413887).

    RESULTS: Initially, 6,339 articles were included in the search, from which only 6 observational studies were selected by following the 2020 PRISMA statement. The quality of the evidence was assessed by a tool provided by the National Institutes of Health (observational studies). The total number of participants included in the studies was 14,723. Our systematic literature review and meta-analysis provide compelling evidence that kidney injury is a prevalent complication of COVID-19 infection in the type II diabetes population, with a pooled odds ratio of 2.27 (95% CI: 2.05-2.51; p 

  11. Al Hariri YK, Sulaiman SAS, Khan AH, Adnan AS, Al-Ebrahem SQ
    Front Med (Lausanne), 2022;9:887292.
    PMID: 36160172 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.887292
    BACKGROUND: Leptospirosis is the most common anthropozoonosis worldwide and imposes a major public health problem in many tropical countries. It is a leading cause of disease burden in form of mortality, morbidity and hospital admission. Identifying patients at high risk for mortality or for prolonged hospitalization may save lives and preserve economy. The aim of the current study is to identify significant factors associated with disease mortality and prolonged hospitalization.

    DESIGN: Cress-sectional retrospective study.

    SETTINGS: Tertiary care teaching hospitals in Kelantan, Peninsular Malaysia.

    PARTICIPANTS: Adult patients proven to have leptospirosis depending on IgM ELISA were classified into two classes depending on prolonged hospitalization (>7 days or ≤ 7 days) and mortality (fatal cases or non-fatal cases). Patients' clinico-laboratory data were compared according to these two outcomes using the appropriate statistical test.

    RESULTS: Of the 525 patients enrolled, 136 (25.9%) had prolonged hospitalization. The mean length of stay was 6.77 ± 5.68 days. Logistic regression analysis identified acute kidney injury (AKI) (OR 2.3), Jaundice (OR 2.7), elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (OR 2), and prolonged prothrombin time (PT) (OR 1.9) independently associated with prolonged hospitalization. Case fatality rate was 6.48% and around one third of fatal cases had prolonged hospitalization of more than seven days. Factors associated with leptospirosis mortality included age >40 years (p < 0.001), patients presented with tachypnea (p = 0.002), pulmonary infiltrate (p < 0.001), T-wave changes (p < 0.001), atrial fibrillation (p = 0.013), conducting abnormality (p < 0.001), chronic kidney diseases (p < 0.001), multiple organ dysfunctions (p < 0.0010), respiratory failure (p < 0.001), pneumonia (p < 0.001), sepsis (p = 0.004), low venous PH (p = 0.042), AKI (P < 0.001), elevated AST (p < 0.001) or ALT (p = 0.004), hypoalbuminemia (p < 0.001), rhabdomyolysis (p < 0.001), severe thrombocytopenia (p = 0.042), prolonged PT (p < 0.001) or prolonged aPTT (p < 0.017).

    CONCLUSIONS: Significant proportion of leptospirosis patients (25.9%) had prolonged hospital stay and less proportion died (6.48%). Early identifying patients with factors associated with prolonged hospitalization and death will positively impact practitioners' decisions regarding the proper and fast course of management including ICU admission.

  12. Ahmad N, Javaid A, Sulaiman SA, Ming LC, Ahmad I, Khan AH
    Braz J Infect Dis, 2016;20(1):41-7.
    PMID: 26626164 DOI: 10.1016/j.bjid.2015.09.011
    BACKGROUND: Fluoroquinolones are the backbone of multidrug resistant tuberculosis treatment regimens. Despite the high burden of multidrug resistant tuberculosis in the country, little is known about drug resistance patterns, prevalence, and predictors of fluoroquinolones resistance among multidrug resistant tuberculosis patients from Pakistan.

    OBJECTIVE: To evaluate drug resistance patterns, prevalence, and predictors of fluoroquinolones resistance in multidrug resistant tuberculosis patients.

    METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at a programmatic management unit of drug resistant tuberculosis, Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar, Pakistan. Two hundred and forty-three newly diagnosed multidrug resistant tuberculosis patients consecutively enrolled for treatment at study site from January 1, 2012 to July 28, 2013 were included in the study. A standardized data collection form was used to collect patients' socio-demographic, microbiological, and clinical data. SPSS 16 was used for data analysis.

    RESULTS: High degree of drug resistance (median 5 drugs, range 2-8) was observed. High proportion of patients was resistant to all five first-line anti-tuberculosis drugs (62.6%), and more than half were resistant to second line drugs (55.1%). The majority of the patients were ofloxacin resistant (52.7%). Upon multivariate analysis previous tuberculosis treatment at private (OR=1.953, p=0.034) and public private mix (OR=2.824, p=0.046) sectors were predictors of ofloxacin resistance.

    CONCLUSION: The high degree of drug resistance observed, particularly to fluoroquinolones, is alarming. We recommend the adoption of more restrictive policies to control non-prescription sale of fluoroquinolones, its rational use by physicians, and training doctors in both private and public-private mix sectors to prevent further increase in fluoroquinolones resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains.

  13. Yaghi AR, Shaheed HS, Harun SN, Hyder Ali IA, Khan AH
    Adv Respir Med, 2022 Nov 14;90(6):467-482.
    PMID: 36412638 DOI: 10.3390/arm90060054
    BACKGROUND: Multidrug resistance TB (MDR-TB) has emerged as a public health issue worldwide, and the mortality rate is worrying. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the factors related to MDR-TB occurrence and the survival experience of TB patients.

    METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at Hospital Pulau Pinang in Malaysia. Medical records of active TB patients from 2014-2018 were reviewed. Cox regression was used to identify the factors associated with MDR-TB development and mortality among TB patients.

    RESULTS: The patients had a mean age of 48.84 ± 16.713 years, and a majority of the Chinese race (46.4%). Out of 351 TB patients, 325 (92.6%) were drug-susceptible TB, and 26 (7.4%) were diagnosed with MDR-TB. Among drug-susceptible TB patients, 245 (75.4%) achieved successful outcomes, and 73 (22.5%) passed away. In multivariable Cox regression, drug addiction, levels of white blood cells, urea, platelets, and albumin were significantly associated with death. Relapsed TB, alcohol consumption, and being single were significant risk factors for MDR-TB development.

    CONCLUSION: Patients achieved a success rate of 75.4%, which is encouraging but still far below the WHO target (at least an 85% success rate) and has room for further improvement.

  14. Bibi S, Khan A, Khan AH, Khan MN, Mushtaq S, Rashid SA
    Front Pharmacol, 2022;13:900798.
    PMID: 36467026 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.900798
    Background: Biodegradable polymer (BP) drug-eluting stents (DES) have been introduced as a novel solution to the problems of durable polymer (DP) stents. In Pakistan, very few studies are available for the treatment intervention in post-primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) patients. Our study will compare the major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) and their predictors in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) undergoing PPCI with second- or third-generation DES. Methodology: An observational, retrospective, cohort study was carried out on CAD patients undergoing PPCI with either second- (DP-XIENCE Prime/XIENCE Xpedition) or third-generation (BP-BioMatrix NeoFlex/BioMatrix Alpha) DES. MACEs were assessed after 1 year of PPCI procedure in 341 patients and screened as per inclusion/exclusion criteria (167 in the second-generation group and 174 in the third-generation group). Results: The number of male patients (86.2%) was more than female patients in our study population. MACEs were reported in 4.19% patients after 1 year duration, and the percentage of MACEs was more in the second-generation DES group (4.77%) than in the third-generation group (3.44%); however, statistical analysis has not found any significant difference (p = 0.534). The rate of myocardial infarction (1.19% vs. 0.57%) and stent thrombosis (1.8% vs. 1.15%) was more in the second-generation DES group. However, restenosis (1.19% vs. 1.15%) and cardiac death (0.59% vs. 0.57%) were almost same in both groups. A significant association was found between MACEs and diabetes mellitus (p = 0.025), hypertension (p = 0.035), smoking (p = 0.008), and a family history of CAD (p = 0.018). Conclusion: BP-BioMatrix and DP-XIENCE DES have comparable clinical outcomes. Findings of the current study will assist the policy makers and healthcare providers in the rationalization of scarce resources and evidence-based patient care. However, longer follow-up studies are required for convincing results.
  15. Iqbal MS, Iqbal MZ, Barua A, Veettil SK, Wei LY, Kit LW, et al.
    Value Health, 2014 Nov;17(7):A594.
    PMID: 27202037 DOI: 10.1016/j.jval.2014.08.2046
    OBJECTIVES. Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) appears to be the main reason of hospitalization in COPD patients. Since substantial economic burden of COPD have not been previously studied in Malaysia, this study aimed at estimating and identifying different costs and related burden of illness in patients receiving treatment of AECOPD in a tertiary care hospital in Malaysia.
    METHODS. A prospective follow-up study was performed in Department of Accident and Emergency and Respiratory Medicine of the hospital. Data were derived on the basis of per exacerbation episode. Relationship between direct medical costs and disease severity was analyzed using various descriptive and inferential statistical approaches.
    RESULTS. Median actual direct medical costs and out-of-pocket costs were RM 457.68 (US$ 141.97) and RM 28.25 (US$ 8.76) per exacerbation respectively. Drug cost (41%) was the leading cost driver, followed by unit cost of treatment per bed (33.6%) and lab investigation cost (25.4%). However, food cost (44.2%) represented the largest proportion in out-of-pocket costs. More than 90% of actual direct medical costs were supported by the Government of Malaysia in the patients studied.
    CONCLUSIONS. Impacts of AECOPD in health care resources are worthy of attention. Cost information from pharmacoeconomic studies is important in decision making for health care professionals and policy makers in order to improve health care outcome and minimize costs.
  16. Iqbal MS, Iqbal MZ, Barua A, Veettil SK, Ling TK, Yong NB, et al.
    Value Health, 2014 Nov;17(7):A594.
    PMID: 27202038 DOI: 10.1016/j.jval.2014.08.2045
    Objectives: The cost of acute exacerbations of asthma had not been well studied in literature. The aim of this study was to identify and quantify the (average) cost of moderate and severe exacerbations of asthma in patients attending tertiary-care setup in Malaysia. The related burden of exacerbations was also calculated.
    Methods: The costs including lab investigation charges, unit costs of treatment per bed, medication charges, food costs, transportation costs and loss of productivity were calculated per asthma episode. Data was analysed by Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 18.0 using various descriptive and inferential statistical tests.
    Results: A median medical cost of acute exacerbation of asthma under Ministry of Health’s (MOH) perspective was USD 105.00 (RM338.47) per episode. Medication cost comprised the majority (52.38%) of the total medical costs. A median medical cost of acute exacerbation of asthma under patient’s perspective was USD 1.55 (RM4.99) per episode. ConclusionsAsthma exacerbation and length of stay in the hospital were proportional to the direct medical costs. In Malaysia, a substantial proportion of the direct medical cost of asthma treatment is heavily subsidised for the locals.
  17. Aznan MI, Khan OH, Unar AO, Tuan Sharif SE, Khan AH, Syed Abd Aziz SH, et al.
    BMC Complement Altern Med, 2016 Jan 23;16:28.
    PMID: 26803744 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-016-1003-6
    BACKGROUND: Honey has long been used for the treatment of number of ailments and diseases including surgical wounds. Current study evaluates the effectiveness of Tualang honey (TH) for large bowel anastomotic healing in Wistar rats.

    METHODS: Thirty male Wistar rats were given a 3 centimeter infra-umbilical laparotomy wound, in`flicted on their abdomen. The colonic transection was performed at 5 cm distal to caecum, with end to end anastomosis of colon segment. They were divided into two groups. Group I was fed with standard rat chow and water. Meanwhile, Group II apart from standard feed, was also given TH 1.0 g/kg every morning until day seven post operatively. Afterwards, anastomotic bursting pressures were measured and histopathological examination on the anastomosis line was performed with light microscopes. The data from two groups were analyzed by Independent paired t test for continuous variables.

    RESULTS: It was found that the tensile strength of colon anastomosis (95 % CI; p = <0.001) and the histopathological study including fibroblast count (p = <0.001) and inflammatory cells (p = 0.002) showed statistically significant difference in the favor of TH-treated group. Meanwhile, neovascularization formation was not statistically significant (p = 0.807); however, the overall count in the TH group was high.

    CONCLUSION: Oral treatment with TH enhances anastomotic wound healing by increasing the number of fibroblasts and by decreasing inflammatory cells leading towards increased wound strength.

  18. Khan AH, Sulaiman SAS, Laghari M, Hassali MA, Muttalif AR, Bhatti Z, et al.
    BMC Infect Dis, 2019 Aug 05;19(1):691.
    PMID: 31382889 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-019-4312-9
    BACKGROUND: Extra-pulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) represents about 14% of all cases of tuberculosis (TB) in Malaysia. The aims of the study include evaluation of socio-demographic factors, clinical manifestations, co-morbidities among patients with EPTB and their treatment outcomes.

    METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted to recognize the epidemiology facts of EPTB. Individual data for EPTB patients were collected from TB registers, laboratory TB registers, treatment cards and TB medical personal files into a standardized study questionnaire. Crude (COR) and adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were determined to assess the risk factors for EPTB and unsuccessful treatment outcomes.

    RESULTS: There were 1222 EPTB patients presenting 13.1% of all TB cases during 2006-2008. Pleural effusion and lymph node TB were the most frequent types and accounted for 45.1% of all EPTB cases among study participants. Treatment success rate was 67.6%. The best treatment completion rates were found in children ≤15 years (0.478 [0.231-1.028]; p = 0.05). On multivariate analysis, age group 56-65 years (1.658 [1.157-2.376]; p = 0.006), relapse cases (7.078 [1.585-31.613]; p = 0.010), EPTB-DM (1.773 [1.165-2.698]; p = 0.008), patients with no formal (2.266 [1.254-4.095]; p = 0.001) and secondary level of education (1.889 [1.085-3.288]; p = 0.025) were recorded as statistically positive significant risk factors for unsuccessful treatment outcomes. Patients at the risk of EPTB were more likely to be females (1.524 [1.311-1.746]; p 

  19. Abubakar M, Ahmad N, Ghafoor A, Latif A, Ahmad I, Atif M, et al.
    Front Pharmacol, 2021;12:640555.
    PMID: 33867989 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.640555
    Background: The current study is conducted with the aim to the fill the gap of information regarding treatment outcomes and variables associated with unsuccessful outcome among XDR-TB patients from Pakistan. Methods: A total of 404 culture confirmed XDR-TB patients who received treatment between 1st May 2010 and June 30, 2017 at 27 treatment centers all over Pakistan were retrospectively followed until their treatment outcomes were reported. A p-value <0.05 reflected a statistical significant association. Results: The patients had a mean age 32.9 ± 14.1 years. The overall treatment success rate was 40.6% (95% confidence interval [CI]:35.80-45.60%). A total of 155 (38.4%) patients were declared cured, 9 (2.2%) completed treatment, 149 (36.9%) died, 60 (14.9%) failed treatment and 31 (7.7%) were lost to follow up (LTFU). The results of the multivariate binary logistic regression analysis revealed that the patients' age of >60 years (OR = 4.69, 95%CI:1.57-15.57) and receiving high dose isoniazid (OR = 2.36, 95%CI:1.14-4.85) had statistically significant positive association with death, whereas baseline body weight >40 kg (OR = 0.43, 95%CI:0.25-0.73) and sputum culture conversion in the initial two months of treatment (OR = 0.33, 95%CI:0.19-0.58) had statistically significant negative association with death. Moreover, male gender had statistically significant positive association (OR = 1.92, 95%CI:1.04-3.54) with LTFU. Conclusion: The treatment success rate (40.6%) of XDR-TB patients in Pakistan was poor. Providing special attention and enhanced clinical management to patients with identified risk factors for death and LTFU in the current cohort may improve the treatment outcomes.
  20. Al-Ashwal FY, Kubas M, Zawiah M, Bitar AN, Mukred Saeed R, Sulaiman SAS, et al.
    PLoS One, 2020;15(12):e0243962.
    PMID: 33306750 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0243962
    BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) represents a difficult challenge and could have devastating consequences for the healthcare system and healthcare workers in war-torn countries with poor healthcare facilities such as Yemen. Our study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, preparedness, counselling practices of healthcare workers regarding COVID-19, and the perceived barriers to adequately prevent and control COVID-19 in Yemen.

    METHODS: Healthcare workers (HCWs) from major healthcare facilities participated in this cross-sectional study. A self-administered questionnaire comprising of five main domains (demographics, knowledge, self-preparedness, counselling practice, perceived barriers) was distributed among HCWs after obtaining informed consent. A convenient sampling technique was used. Descriptive and inferential analyses were applied using SPSS software.

    RESULTS: A total of 1000 participants were initially targeted to participate in the study with 514 (51.4%) responding, of which 55.3% were female. Physicians and nurses constituted the largest proportion of participants, with 39.5% and 33.3%, respectively. The median scores for knowledge, self-preparedness, and counselling practice were 8 (out of 9), 9 (out of 15), and 25 (out of 30), respectively. The physician group showed a statistically significant association with better knowledge compared to the nurse group only, P<0.001. Males had higher preparedness scores than females, p<0.001. Also, the intensive care unit (ICU) and emergency departments presented a statistically significant difference by which the participants from these departments were more prepared compared to the others (e.g. outpatients, paediatrics and surgery) with P < 0.0001. The lack of awareness among the general population about COVID-19 preventive measures was perceived as the most common barrier for the adequate prevention and control of COVID-19 in Yemen (89.1%).

    CONCLUSION: The major highlight of this study is that HCWs have, overall, good knowledge, suboptimal preparedness, and adequate counselling practices prior to the outbreak of COVID-19 in Yemen, despite the high number of perceived barriers. However, urgent action and interventions are needed to improve the preparedness of HCWs to manage COVID-19. The perceived barriers also need to be fully addressed by the local healthcare authorities and international organisations working in Yemen for adequate prevention and control measures to be in place in managing COVID-19.

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