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Evaluation of Optic Nerve Head Parameters, Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness, and Ocular Perfusion Pressure in Migraine Patients

Michael NDB, Hussein A, Abd Halim S, Ab Hamid SA

Cureus, 2019 May 04;11(5):e4599.
PMID: 31309023 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.4599

Background Neurovascular changes occur during the migraine is believed to cause alteration in cerebral and retinal circulation that possible result in damage to the brain and even retina or optic nerve. Retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness measurement can be used as an index to assess ganglion cell and retinal nerve fiber damages. The aim of this study was to evaluate the optic nerve head (ONH) parameters, RNFL thickness, and ocular perfusion pressure (OPP) in migraine patients. Methods This was a cross-sectional study, conducted in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan from July 2016 to November 2018, involving patients with a confirmed diagnosis of migraine and controls. Ninety-four eyes of 47 migraine patients and 94 eyes of 47 healthy subjects were included in this study. Blood pressure and intraocular pressure were measured and OPP was calculated. ONH parameters and RNFL thickness were measured using optical coherence tomography (OCT) after pupillary dilatation. Statistical analysis was done using Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS Inc Version 24). Results With respect to all means values of ONH parameters, there was no statistically significant difference between migraine patients and controls. For RNFL, there were significant reductions in average and superior RNFL thickness on both eyes with adjustment of age and gender (P-value: right eye (RE) average = 0.027; RE superior = 0.034; left eye (LE) average = 0.037; LE superior = 0.031). In view of OPP, there was no significant difference between migraine patients and controls (P-value = 0.172). Weak correlations were found between the ONH parameters and RNFL thickness with OPP, respectively, in migraine patients. Conclusion This study showed no difference in ONH parameters between migraine patients and healthy subjects. There was significant thinning in average and superior RNFL for migraine patients. No difference found in OPP between both groups. ONH parameters and RNFL thickness had a weak correlation with OPP in migraine patients.
Fulltext Evaluation of vascular endothelial growth factor levels in tears and serum among diabetic patients

Ang WJ, Zunaina E, Norfadzillah AJ, Raja-Norliza RO, Julieana M, Ab-Hamid SA, et al.

PLoS One, 2019;14(8):e0221481.
PMID: 31437234 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0221481

OBJECTIVE: Detection of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in ocular tissue may perhaps provide insight into the role of VEGF in the pathogenesis and progression of diabetic retinopathy (DR). The aim of this study was to evaluate the levels of VEGF in tears and serum amongst type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients.
METHODS: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted between August 2016 and May 2018 involving type 2 DM patients with no DR, non-proliferative DR (NPDR), and proliferative DR (PDR). Tear samples were collected using no.41 Whatman filter paper (Schirmer strips) and 5 mL blood samples were drawn by venous puncture. VEGF levels in tears and serum were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
RESULTS: A total of 88 type 2 DM patients (no DR: 30 patients, NPDR: 28 patients, PDR: 30 patients) were included in the study. Mean tear VEGF levels were significantly higher in the NPDR and PDR groups (114.4 SD 52.5 pg/mL and 150.8 SD 49.7 pg/mL, respectively) compared to the no DR group (40.4 SD 26.5 pg/mL, p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the mean serum VEGF levels between the three groups. There was a fair correlation between serum and tear VEGF levels (p = 0.015, r = 0.263).
CONCLUSION: VEGF levels in tears were significantly higher amongst diabetic patients with DR compared to those without DR and were significantly associated with the severity of DR. There was a fair correlation between serum and tear VEGF levels. Detection of VEGF in tears is a good non-invasive predictor test for the severity of DR. A large cohort study is needed for further evaluation.
Fulltext Prevalence of low-back pain among public ambulance workers in Kelantan, Malaysia

Tuan Lonik EA, Tuan Kamauzaman TH, Abdullah AA, Nor J, Ab Hamid SA

Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine, 2017;17(1):126-135.
MyJurnal

This study is to determine the prevalence and the associated factors of low-back pain (LBP), which has multifactorial causes, among ambulance workers in Kelantan, Malaysia. The cross-sectional study involved ambulance workers in the emergency department in all government hospitals in Kelantan. Those who did not consent, complete or return the questionnaire as well as having rheumatic diseases were excluded from the study. The participants were asked to answer a self-administered questionnaire in English. Descriptive analyses and Chi-square test were used. A total of 168 respondents had completed the questionnaires with a response rate of 85.0%. Questionnaires with more than 95.0% items completed were included in the analysis (n=143). The respondents had a higher proportion of male than female (63.6% versus 36.4%). Assistant Medical Officer comprised of 60.0% of all respondents and the rest were nurses. The respondents’ age ranged between 23 to 58 years old with a mean age of 38.27 and standard deviation (SD) of 7.27. The mean duration of involvement in ambulance service was 9.68 years (SD 6.97). The majority (98.5%) of the respondents were Malay. Gender, smoking status and hobbies were the associated factors of LBP among ambulance workers. The modifiable risk factors should be emphasized to the ambulance workers as a measure to prevent the development of LBP.
Fulltext Supradiaphragmatic central venous catheter malposition detection using the parasternal long-axis echocardiographic view and dextrose 50% contrast solution: A pilot study

Che Rahim MJ, Abdull Wahab SF, Fauzi MH, Nadarajan C, Ab Hamid SA

Ultrasound, 2022 Nov;30(4):292-298.
PMID: 36969538 DOI: 10.1177/1742271X211051767

BACKGROUND: Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) using saline was studied to detect supradiaphragmatic central venous catheter malposition. Commonly used echocardiographic views are apical 4-chamber (A4c) and subcostal views. However, this standard method is not feasible in certain situations. We explored the feasibility of the right ventricle inflow parasternal long axis (RVI-PLAX) echocardiographic view and dextrose 50% (D50%) contrast solution for detecting supradiaphragmatic central venous catheter malposition.
METHOD: This pilot study screened 60 patients who underwent ultrasound-guided supradiaphragmatic central venous catheter insertion. We compared the investigators' guidewire's J-tip detection, D50% rapid atrial swirl sign (RASS) findings on the RVI-PLAX view and the central venous catheter tip on chest radiograph. We also compared the mean capillary blood sugar level before and after the 5 ml D50% flush.
RESULTS: No guidewire J-tips were detected from the RVI-PLAX view. The first and second investigators' diagnosis of central venous catheter malposition detected on RVI-PLAX CEUS achieved an almost perfect agreement (κ = 1.0 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.90 to 1.0), p
Fulltext Master of Science in Medical Statistics Programme at Universiti Sains Malaysia: 20 Years Ongoing

Norsa'adah B, Yaacob NM, Abdullah S, Kueh Yee C, Ab Hamid SA, Ghazali AK, et al.

Malays J Med Sci, 2023 Feb;30(1):1-6.
PMID: 36875186 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2023.30.1.1

Health and medical research are important parts of the curriculum of medical and health programmes in universities and play an important role in the functioning of organisations related to health care. There is a shortage of well-trained health and medical research statisticians. This article describes the courses and structure of the Master of Science in Medical Statistics programme at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), as well as the graduates' achievements. It is a 2-year programme that prepares qualified and competent graduates in statistical methods and data analysis for research in health and medical sciences. The Biostatistics and Research Methodology Unit, School of Medical Sciences, USM has been running the programme since 2003. It is currently the only medical statistics programme available in Malaysia. There have been 97 graduates since 2005, with an employment rate of 96.7% and a successful subsequent doctorate rate of 21.1%. Most of the students returned to their previous employments, mainly with the Ministry of Health of Malaysia and several others became lecturers, statisticians or research officers. The employability of graduates from this programme is very high and their professional future is bright. We hope our graduates will impart their knowledge and skills to the nation.
Foetal and maternal outcomes in hyperuricaemia pre-eclampsia patients in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia

Jummaat F, Adnan AS, Ab Hamid SA, Hor JN, Nik Mustofar NN, Muhammad Asri NA, et al.

J Obstet Gynaecol, 2021 Jan;41(1):38-43.
PMID: 33124936 DOI: 10.1080/01443615.2019.1679731

Preeclampsia patients have frequently been found to experience hyperuricaemia and this may result in poor outcomes compared to those with normal uric acid levels. This study aimed to determine the relationship of hyperuricaemia in pre-eclampsia patients with foetal and maternal outcomes. This prospective cohort study involved 79 patients in a tertiary centre from year 2016 to 2018. Blood samples were taken antenatally and at the 6th week, post-delivery for renal function including serum uric acid level. Our findings indicate that there was a higher incidence of poor maternal and foetal outcomes in the hyperuricaemia group than the normal uric acid group. Serum uric acid has been shown to be a significant predictor for low birth weight and premature delivery in preeclampsia patients. It was also found that there was a significant negative correlation between uric acid level and antenatal creatinine clearance (rs = -0.338, p = .002). The assessment of the serum uric acid level seems to be important to ensure better outcomes in patients with preeclampsia.Impact statementWhat is already known on this subject? Preeclampsia is a serious pregnancy-related complication and remains as one of the most important cause of maternal and foetal morbidity and mortality, affecting 2-8% in all pregnancy. Many studies have established the association between hyperuricaemia and preeclampsia. Besides, numerous studies have found that hyperuricaemia contributed to adverse maternal and foetal outcomes.What the results of this study add? There was a significant increase in adverse foetal and maternal outcomes in the hyperuricaemia group compared to the normal uric acid group. This study revealed that serum uric acid remains a significant predictor for low birth weight and premature delivery in preeclampsia patients.What the implications are of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Hyperuricaemia does not merely become an indicator for the severity of disease in preeclampsia patients but also indicates adverse foetal outcomes. Large population-based studies are required to establish the absolute maternal and foetal outcomes in patients with hyperuricaemia. Besides, further studies are recommended on long-term implication of hyperuricaemia which is not limited to only during antenatal period.