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  1. Loh KW, Rani F, Chan TC, Loh HY, Ng CW, Moy FM
    Med J Malaysia, 2013 Aug;68(4):291-6.
    PMID: 24145254 MyJurnal
    Hypertension is a major public health problem in Malaysia. A survey was initiated to examine the association of modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors for hypertension in Perak, Malaysia.
  2. Kwan MK, Loh KW, Chung WH, Chiu CK, Hasan MS, Chan CYW
    BMC Musculoskelet Disord, 2021 May 04;22(1):413.
    PMID: 33947368 DOI: 10.1186/s12891-021-04225-5
    BACKGROUND: There has been a growing interest in using all pedicle screw construct in posterior spinal fusion (PSF) for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) surgery in recent years. However, studies focusing on perioperative outcome and complications utilizing only pedicle screw system in AIS population are lacking. This study aims to evaluate perioperative outcomes and to determine the prevalence of major and minor complications following single-staged PSF for AIS.

    METHODS: In this retrospective study of prospectively collected data, 1057 AIS patients operated between 2012 and 2019 were included. Main outcome measures were operative time, intraoperative blood loss, allogeneic blood transfusion rate, length of hospital stay after surgery, complication rate, and mean drop of haemoglobin (Hb) level. We documented the number of fusion levels, screw density, and postoperative radiographic parameters.

    RESULTS: There were 917 females and 140 males. Majority were Lenke 1 curve type (46.9%). Mean age was 15.6 ± 3.7 years, with mean BMI of 18.6 ± 3.2 kg/m2. Mean operative time was 146.8 ± 49.4 min. Average intraoperative blood loss was 952.9 ± 530.4 ml with allogeneic blood transfusion rate of 5%. Mean screw density was 1.27 ± 0.21 screws per fusion level. Average hospital stay after surgery was 3.5 ± 0.9 days. Twenty-four complications were documented: twelve superficial infections (1.14%), five transient neurological deficits (0.47%), two deep infections (0.19%), two superior mesenteric artery syndrome, and one case each (0.09%) for massive intraoperative blood loss, intraoperative seizure, and lung atelectasis.

    CONCLUSION: AIS patients treated with single-staged PSF using pedicle screw construct had a 0.95% rate of major complications and 1.32% rate of minor complications. Rate of neurologic complication was 0.47% while non-neurologic postoperative complications was 1.80% with infection being the leading complication at 1.32%.

  3. Loh KW, Chan CY, Chiu CK, Bin Hasan MS, Kwan MK
    J Orthop Surg (Hong Kong), 2016 08;24(2):273-7.
    PMID: 27574278
    Mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke (MELAS) syndrome is a progressive multisystemic neurodegenerative disorder. MELAS syndrome impairs oxidative phosphorylation and predisposes patients to lactic acidosis, particularly under metabolic stress. We report 2 siblings with MELAS-associated idiopathic scoliosis who underwent posterior spinal instrumented fusion with measures taken to minimise anaesthetic and surgical stress, blood loss, and operating time.
  4. Loh KW, Majid HA, Dahlui M, Roslani AC, Su TT
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2013;14(6):3799-804.
    PMID: 23886185
    BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer in Malaysia. The prognosis of the disease is excellent if detected at an early stage, but the majority of Malaysian patients present at late stages. We aimed to assess the awareness of cancer warning signs and anticipated delay in help-seeking as possible contributors to this phenomenon.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: A population-based cross-sectional survey using the Colorectal Cancer Awareness Measure was initiated in Perak, Malaysia. A total of 2,379 respondents aged 18 years and above were recruited using a multi-stage sampling in five locations. Analysis of covariance was used to examine independent sociodemographic predictors of scores for symptom awareness.

    RESULTS: Younger age, being female, a higher education, and higher income were significantly associated with better scores for both recall and recognition of warning symptoms. Among the ethnic groups, Malays had better recognition of symptoms whereas Chinese recalled the most symptoms. Passing bloody stool was associated with the least anticipated delay and unexplained anal pain had the highest anticipated delay.

    CONCLUSIONS: The level of awareness across all ethnicities in Malaysia is generally low, especially among minorities. Targeted public education, which is culturally and linguistically appropriate, should be developed to encourage early help-seeking and improve clinical outcomes.
  5. Tan QT, Alcantara VS, Sultana R, Loh KW, Go AL, Wong FY
    Breast Cancer Res Treat, 2023 Feb;198(1):53-66.
    PMID: 36617357 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-022-06855-2
    PURPOSE: Pregnancy-associated breast cancer (PABC), defined as breast carcinoma diagnosed during pregnancy or in the first post-partum year, is one of the most common gestation-related malignancies with reported differences in tumor characteristics and outcomes. This multicenter study aims to review cases of PABC in Singapore, including their clinicopathological features, treatment, and clinical outcomes compared to non-PABC patients.

    METHODS: Demographic, histopathologic and clinical outcomes of 93 PABC patients obtained from our database were compared to 1424 non-PABC patients.

    RESULTS: PABC patients presented at a younger age. They had higher tumor and nodal stages, higher tumor grade, were more likely to be hormone receptor negative and had a higher incidence of multicentric and multifocal tumors. Histological examination after definitive surgery showed no significant difference in tumor size and number of positive lymph nodes suggesting similar neoadjuvant treatment effects. Despite this, PABC patients had worse outcomes with poorer overall survival and disease-free survival, OS (P 

  6. Loh KW, Shaz N, Singh S, Malliga Raman M, Balaji Raghavendran HR, Kamarul T
    J Basic Clin Physiol Pharmacol, 2023 Mar 01;34(2):177-185.
    PMID: 34182614 DOI: 10.1515/jbcpp-2020-0320
    OBJECTIVES: Primary Osteoarthritis (OA) is a disease of progressive joints degeneration due to idiopathic causes. Recent evidence showed a positive relationship between OA and metabolic syndrome. This pilot study aimed to assess the baseline level of pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines in OA patients with or without Diabetic Mellitus (DM) and assess the effect of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in cytokine production.

    METHODS: Patients with primary hip and knee OA were recruited, and 3 mL of bone marrow was harvested during joint replacement surgery. Bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC) was isolated and cultured in a culture flask for three passages. Later experiment was then sub-cultured in a well plate labeled as the control group and H2O2 (0.1 mM) treated group. ProcartaPlex® Multiplex Immunoassay was performed to measure cytokine levels produced by the BMSC at 0 h, as well as 72 h.

    RESULTS: Cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and IL-1β generally exhibited higher cytokine levels in subjects with DM than in nonDM subjects at 0 and 72 h. For IL-17, its expression was similar in nonDM and DM groups at 0 and 72 h. Cytokine IL-10 showed no significant difference in both the groups while DM and nonDM groups treated with H2O2 showed decreased IL-4 levels compared to control groups at 72 h. Bone marrow cells from DM-OA are more vulnerable to chemical insult and are associated with higher levels of proinflammatory cytokines production and lower IL-4 level production.

    CONCLUSIONS: This study provides a clue that management of OA with co-morbidity like DM needs future studies.

  7. Lee PY, Hani SS, Cheng YG, Zainuddin Z, Singh H, Loh KW
    Malays Fam Physician, 2022 Mar 28;17(1):36-43.
    PMID: 35440953 DOI: 10.51866/oa1297
    INTRODUCTION: Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN), the most common complication of Diabetes Mellitus (DM), is often under-diagnosed and inadequately treated. This study identified the proportion of undiagnosed DPN and its associated risk factors among patients with established type 2 DM (T2DM) in community health clinics in the Gombak district.

    METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2 community health clinics within the Gombak district between September and December 2017. Adults with T2DM were selected via systematic random sampling and screened using the Neuropathy Symptoms Score (NSS). Clinical records of participants' foot examinations were reviewed to identify positive findings of DPN and compared with the NSS.

    RESULTS: The study's sample comprised 425 patients. Most had co-morbidities, including hypertension, dyslipidaemia and pre-existing DM-related complications. About two-thirds of them performed no daily foot inspection and had no proper footwear. The proportion of patients with positive NSS was 49.4%. However, only 0.2% were diagnosed with positive DPN in their clinical foot examination record.

    CONCLUSION: Although a positive NSS was identified in 1 out of 2 patients with established DM, only 0.2% of patients had DPN on their examination records. Most patients had never done daily foot inspections and lacked proper footwear. A positive NSS was associated with uncontrolled diabetes and lower BMI. Proper screening and examination for patients, especially those with uncontrolled diabetes and low BMI, is crucial in identifying DPN to ensure that these diabetic patients receive better preventative care, especially proper foot care and strict diabetic control, to prevent DPN-related complications.

  8. Loh KW, Vriens MR, Gerritsen A, Borel Rinkes IH, van Hillegersberg R, Schippers C, et al.
    Neth J Med, 2012 Oct;70(8):365-9.
    PMID: 23065984
    Disease-related malnutrition is highly prevalent in hospital patients and varies from 25-40%. Early nutritional screening of patients at admission helps to improve recognition of malnourished patients to allow early interventions and enhance clinical outcomes.
  9. Tan AH, Tan CT, Marras C, Loh KW, Wye Ho NW, Lim QH, et al.
    J Parkinsons Dis, 2015;5(4):865-79.
    PMID: 26444089 DOI: 10.3233/JPD-150594
    BACKGROUND: Public knowledge regarding Parkinson's disease (PD) is important to facilitate good health-seeking behavior, but the literature on this topic is scarce.
    OBJECTIVE: We aimed to explore the level of public knowledge regarding PD in a large multiethnic urban Asian cohort, and (as a secondary aim) in a smaller cohort of PD patients and caregivers.
    METHODS: A Knowledge of PD Questionnaire (KPDQ) was developed and administered to members of the Malaysian general public, and to PD patients and caregivers. The KPDQ tests recognition of PD symptoms and general knowledge regarding PD.
    RESULTS: 1,258 members of the general public completed the KPDQ. Tremor was the most widely recognized symptom (recognized by 79.0% of respondents); however, 83.7% incorrectly believed that all PD patients experience tremor. Memory problem was the most widely recognized NMS. Overall, motor symptoms were better recognized than NMS. Common misperceptions were that there is a cure for PD (49.8%) and that PD is usually familial (41.4%). Female gender, Chinese ethnicity, tertiary education, healthcare-related work, and knowing someone with PD were independently associated with higher KPDQ scores. PD patients (n = 116) and caregivers (n = 135) demonstrated superior knowledge compared with the general public group, but one-third of them believed that PD is currently curable.
    CONCLUSIONS: This is the only study on public knowledge regarding PD in Asia. Important gaps in knowledge were evident, which could present a barrier to early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of PD. This highlights the need for targeted education campaigns and further research in this area.
    KEYWORDS: Asia; Parkinson’s disease; awareness; cure; education; epidemiology; knowledge; stem cells
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