Depression and anxiety are common complications associated with traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients but screening tools which are validated to assess these complications in the TBI population are scarce. This study investigated the validity of the Malay version of Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) to screen for depression and anxiety among Malaysian TBI patients. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited 101 TBI patients in which they were administered the Malay version of HADS and the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorder 4thEdition (DSM-IV) for Axis I Disorders (SCID-I) (as comparison tool). Internal consistency (Cronbach’s α) and concurrent validity (using receiver operating characteristics) of the Malay version of HADS were evaluated. Results: The total Malay version of HADS score and its anxiety subscale exhibited good internal consistency of 0.80 and 0.78 respectively, but the internal consistency of its depressive subscale was low at 0.57. The depressive subscale of the Malay version of HADS exhibited high area under the curve (AUC) of 0.86, specificity of 82%, sensitivity of 76% and negative predictive value of 91% but its positive predictive value was 58%, at cut-off point of 8/9. While the anxiety subscale also demonstrated high AUC of 0.88, specificity of 71%, sensitivity of 93% and negative predictive value of 98% its positive predictive value was only 34%. Conclusion: The Malay version of HADS is a valid screening tool for depression and anxiety among Malaysian TBI population.
Introduction: Anxiety and depression are both associated with increased morbidity in diabetic population, especially those afflicted with foot ulcer, whereas Erectile Dysfunction (“ED”) and Female Sexual Dysfunction (“FSD”) are amongst the common complication found in diabetes. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of anxiety and depression as primary outcome and sexual dysfunction (“SD”) as a secondary outcome in diabetic patients with and without foot ulcer (“DFU”).
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun Ipoh, Perak, where 164 diabetic patients were recruited for the purpose of this study. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (“HADS”) were utilised to measure anxiety and depression. International Index for Erectile Function 5 (“IIEF-5”) and the Malay version of Female Sexual Function Index (“MVFSFI”) were used to detect SD. Simple and multiple logistic regressions were referred to in order to evaluate the factors associated with anxiety, depression and SD.
Results: In the group with foot ulcer, 36.8% had depressive and anxiety risk respectively compared to without the foot ulcer, 37.5% and 38.5% respectively. Male gender (AOR=6.3,p=0.002,95%CI 1.975, 20.205) and having lower education status (AOR=6.0,p=0.018,95%CI1.36,26.59,) was associated with foot ulcer. High prevalence of SD found in foot ulcer group (52.6%,p=0.006). Those with depression (OR=4.421,95% CI 1.08,18.16,p=0.039) and male gender (OR=18.42,p<0.01,95%CI5.5,-61.62) predicts present of SD.
Conclusion: Depression and anxiety prevalent were similar for both with and without diabetic foot ulcer. Several significant predictor factors were identified for DFU group, for anxiety and depression risk and for SD in a diabetes patient. Further studies are required to establish the directional nature of this relationship.
Keywords: Depression, Anxiety, Diabetic food ulcer (DFU), Erectile Dysfunction (ED), Female Sexual Dysfunction (FSD)
Study site: outpatient clinic of medical and orthopedic departments in Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun (HRPB) Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
The compulsive behaviour of observing an unsuspecting person undressing or being naked in voyeurism may be related to Obsessive-Compulsive spectrum disorder. The aim of this paper is to report a case that reiterates a unique psychopathology of a Malaysian male voyeur with an obsession on female body parts. This 35 year-old voyeur man who attended psychiatric outpatient clinic in an academic medical centre presented to a psychiatrist for taking photos of his sisters' naked bodies and collected nails and hairs from their body, coded them with intend for masturbation. His voyeuristic thoughts and urges which came repeatedly and intrusively, involving attempts to resist them and was associated with an inner tension for the urges to be fulfilled. He responded both to Paroxetine and behaviour therapy. The possibility that voyeurism, a paraphilia can manifest itself as a subtype of OCD is discussed. Keywords: Malaysian voyeur, obsession-compulsive spectrum disorder, body parts
Sexual dysfunction is highly prevalent in gynaecological cancer patients. Most of the time, sexual dysfunction in gynaecological cancer is underdiagnosed as there is overlapping of symptoms with other psychological morbidities, interplaying of multiple risks, patients’ reluctance to complain or incompetence of health care provider to assess. Determining the risk factors of sexual dysfunction in cancer patients enables us to pay more attention to those who are vulnerable and to device strategies for early detection, prevention and treatment of sexual dysfunction in them. The main aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of sexual dysfunction and its risk factors in gynaecological cancer patients in Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah, Alor Star, Malaysia. Sexual function of eighty-three gynaecological cancer patients who were married were assessed with self-rated MVFSFI (Malay version Female Sexual Function Index). Self-rated WHOQOL-BREF (World Health Organization- Quality of Life- 26) which assessed the domains of quality of life was used while MINI (Mini International Neuropsychiatry Interview) was used for diagnosis of major depressive disorder. The prevalence of sexual dysfunction among the married gynaecological cancer patients was 65% (54/83). Sexual dysfunction was significantly associated with low education level (OR 3.055, CI 1.009-9.250), shorter duration of cancer (OR 0.966, CI 0.966- 0.998), ongoing chemotherapy (OR 3.045, CI 1.149-8.067), pain perception (OR 3.230, CI 1.257-8.303), absence of sexual intercourse for more than one month (OR 1.862) and three domains of quality of life such as physical health, psychological health and social relationship (OR 0.942, CI 0.908-0.978; OR 0.955, CI 0.916-0.995; OR 0.933, CI 0.894-0.973, respectively). However, sexual dysfunction was not associated with major depressive disorder (χ2 ² = 1.224, p = 0.268). The prevalence of sexual dysfunction in gynaecological cancer patients was comparable to other studies of similar population. Since, the risk factors of sexual dysfunction in gynaecological cancer patients are multidimensional, the process of assessment and management need to be holistic and patient-oriented.
INTRODUCTION: Hospital-based community psychiatric service (HCPS) is a developing intervention in Malaysia targeted for patients with severe mental illnesses (SMIs). Its effectiveness had not been systematically measured. This study aimed to assess the outcome of HCPS with respect to re-hospitalization and factors associated with low re-hospitalization among patients with schizophrenia in the metropolitan city of Kuala Lumpur.
METHODS: A naturalistic and retrospective cohort study was conducted using within-subject pre-post design on 155 patients with schizophrenia who received HCPS in Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL). The selection was made by simple random sampling. The hospital admission profiles were obtained from clinical records. The socio-demographic and relevant clinical data were also assessed through clinical interviews.
RESULTS: One hundred and forty (90%) of 155 respondents had low rate of hospital admission with significant reduction of being hospitalized within 1 year after receiving HCPS (p
The aim of this paper was to review the literature on suicide ideation and intent in Malaysia. PsyINFO, PubMed, Medline databases from 1845 to 2012 and detailed manual search of local official reports from Ministry of Health, Malaysian Psychiatric Association and unpublished dissertations from 3 local universities providing postgraduate psychiatric training, were included in the current review. A total of 13 studies on suicide ideation and intent in Malaysia were found and reviewed. The review showed that research on suicide ideation and intent in Malaysia was fragmented and limited, at best. Approximately 50% of existing research on suicide ideation and intent simply focused on sociodemographic data. Fifty-four percent of the data were obtained from hospitals. No study has been conducted on treatment and interventions for suicide ideation and intent. None of the studies used validated suicide scales. The impact of culture was rarely considered. It was clear from the review that for researchers, clinicians and public health policy makers to gain a better understanding of suicide behavior especially suicide ideation and intent in Malaysia, more systematic and empirically stringent methodologies and research frameworks need to be used.
Objective: This case report highlights a case of young male referred for psychiatric evaluation due to paraphilic disorder. This 27-year old single male working as an assistant accountant was noted to have voyeuristic behaviour and presented with depressive symptoms since his teenage age. He has poor coping whenever he experiences stress in life. He started to watch pornographic videos and subsequently get involved by peeping pre-pubescent’s undergarments. These activities are followed by a compulsive behaviour such as masturbation to gratify his sexual arousal.
Results: The patient undergone several psychotherapy sessions, and medical report was furnished for the court's purpose. Our assessment revealed that he was suffering from a lifetime major depressive disorder,and he was prescribed with Tablet Sertraline 50mg/daily.He also has premature ejaculation, severe in nature. He regretted his voyeuristic urge and psychotherapyfocused on how to channel his sexual needs.
Conclusion: Mood disorder is seen in paraphilic disorder and has to be dealt with in order to establish good management care.
The Reasons For Living Inventory has been shown to have good psychometric properties in Western populations for the past three decades. The present study examined the psychometric properties and factor structure of English and Malay version of the Reasons For Living (RFL) Inventory in a sample of clinical outpatients in Malaysia. The RFL is designed to assess an individual's various reasons for not committing suicide. A total of 483 participants (283 with psychiatric illnesses and 200 with non-psychiatric medical illnesses) completed the RFL and other self-report instruments. Results of the EFA (exploratory factor analysis) and CFA (confirmatory factor analysis) supported the fit for the six-factor oblique model as the best-fitting model. The internal consistency of the RFL was α=.94 and it was found to be high with good concurrent, criterion and discriminative validities. Thus, the RFL is a reliable and valid instrument to measure the various reasons for not committing suicide among psychiatry and medical outpatients in Malaysia.
Study site: Pusat Perubatan Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (PPUKM)
INTRODUCTION: Depression is one of the most common psychiatric conditions in men. The aim of the study was to determine the depressive symptoms and associated factors among men on methadone maintenance therapy (MMT).
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 108 subjects who attended the Drug Clinic at Hospital Kuala Lumpur. The instruments used include the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fourth Edition Axis-I Disorder, Beck Depression Inventory and the 15-item International Index of Erectile Function.
RESULTS: The rate of depression was 44.4%. There were significant associations between Malay ethnicity, secondary education level and concurrent illicit cannabis use with depression (P
Decreased libido is recognized as one of the vegetative symptoms of depression. Increased libido has not been acknowledged as one of its symptoms, neither has it been reported, particularly in depressed bipolar patients.
Parkinson disease (PD) affects the lives of both the individuals and their family members. This study aims at investigating for clinical as well as socio-demographic factors associated with the perception of burden among the caregivers of individuals with PD in Malaysia.
AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of orgasmic dysfunction and the potential risk factors that may be associated with orgasmic dysfunction among women at a primary care setting in Malaysia.
METHODS: A validated questionnaire for sexual function was used to assess orgasmic function. A total of 230 married women aged 18 to 70 years participated in this study. Their sociodemographic and marital profiles were compared between those who had orgasmic dysfunction and those who did not, and the risk factors were examined.
RESULTS: The prevalence of orgasmic dysfunction in the primary care population was 51.9%. Women with orgasmic dysfunction were found to be significantly higher in the following groups: age >45 years, being non-Malay, having lower academic status, married longer, having more children, married to an older husband, and being at menopausal state.
CONCLUSION: Women with infrequent sexual intercourse are less likely to be orgasmic (odds ratio = 0.29, 95% confidence interval = 0.11-0.74).
Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is a prevalent sexual health problem that has been inadequately investigated in Malaysia, a nation with a conservative multiethnic society.
The concept of a sexual response cycle (SRC) for women has gained interest lately with the reintroduction of terms with new definitions and a new model for the sexual response, especially the Basson's circular model.
Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is a prevalent sexual health problem that does not spare the women in Malaysia, a nation with a conservative multiethnic society.
The aim of the study was to compare sexual functioning among Malaysian women in a primary care setting between those with a low and high frequency sexual intercourse. Across-sectional study on 230 married Malaysian women in a primary-care setting was conducted at the Bandar Tun Razak Clinic, Cheras. A validated Malay version of Female Sexual Function Index questionnaire (MVFSFI) was used to assess the sexual functioning profiles among women with low and high sexual activity. The percentage of women who had sexual intercourse 3-4 times a week, 1-2 times a week and < 1-2 times a month were 13.4%, 44.3 % and 42.4 % respectively. Women with a low frequency of sexual intercourse (Low SI) tended to suffer from more sexual dysfunction, (χ²=28.98, p < 0.001) compared to those with a high frequency of sexual intercourse (High SI) group. Women who were less sexually active (having low frequency intercourse, ie. ≤ 1 – 2 times per week) were found to be less sexually aroused (χ²= 25.9, p< 0.001), less orgasmic (χ²=19.8, p< 0.001), less lubricated during sexual activity (χ²=11.1, p< 0.001), complain of sexual pain (χ²=4.3, p = 0.033) and feels less satisfied sexually (χ²=12.6, p< 0.001).The problem of female sexual dysfunction (FSD) in the Malaysian primary care population with low sexual activity needs to be addressed.
Objectives: This study aims to determine the prevalence and associated factors of sexual pain disorders among Malay women in Malaysia with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Methods: This is a cross-sectional study involving 347 women (174 non- diabetic and 173 diabetic subjects) who attended the diabetic clinic in a university hospital. Sexual pain disorders were assessed using the Pain sub scale of Malay Version of the Female Sexual Function Index (MVFSFI). Socio-demographic information of the subjects was collected with a pre-designed questionnaire.
Results: Prevalence of sexual pain disorders among Malay women with type 2 diabetes mellitus was 10.4% and the control group was 9.2% but the difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis did not find any relevant associated factor with sexual pain disorder.
Conclusion: Sexual pain disorders among Malay women were not dependent on the diabetic status. Further studies with different population of diabetic patients are needed to confirm the results.
Study site: Diabetic clinic, Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM), Kelantan, Malaysia