1.The impact of acne vulgaris on the quality of life in Sarawak,Malaysia
Felix Yap Boon Bin ; Pubalan M ; Chang CC ; Roshidah B
Malaysian Journal of Dermatology 2011;27(-):27-27
Background
There is lack of data on the impact of acne vulgaris on the quality of life in Malaysia. Thus, this study was done to
determine the impact of acne vulgaris on the quality of life in Sarawak, Malaysia and to examine its relationship with the
severity of acne.
Methods
A cross-sectional study of 173 patients in 3 dermatology clinics in Sarawak utilizing the dermatology life quality index
(DLQI).
Results
The mean DLQI score was 4.1. Patients with family income < RM 3000 had higher mean DLQI scores (4.8 vs. 3.2, p = 0.02).
There was also a tendency for indigenous groups to have higher DLQI scores compared to Chinese although it was not
statistically significant (4.5 vs. 3.5, p = 0.15). Females were significantly more impaired in the domains of symptoms and
feelings (2.1 vs. 1.5, p = 0.02); and work and school (0.3 vs. 0.2, p = 0.04). DLQI was weakly correlated with acne severity
in patients with mild acne (Pearson coefficient = 0.27, p = 0.01) but become insignificant for patients with moderate and
severe acne. No correlation was seen between DLQI and age of patients.
Conclusion
Acne vulgaris has a quality of life impact similar to that of psoriasis in Sarawak and must be addressed. Health care
providers and administrators should view acne as a psychologically disabling disease requiring optimal management and
resource allocation. Education of junior doctors and medical student on this issue is also important.
2.Skin eruption induced by dieting – an underdiagnosed skin disease in Malaysia
Adawiyah Jamil ; Goh Siew Wen ; Norazirah Md Nor ; Felix Boon- Bin Yap
Malaysian Family Physician 2019;14(1):42-46
Prurigo pigmentosa is an inflammatory dermatosis characterized by a pruritic, symmetrically
distributed erythematous papular or papulo-vesicular eruption on the trunk arranged in a reticulated
pattern that resolves with hyperpigmentation. It is typically non-responsive to topical or systemic
steroid therapy. The exact etiology is unknown, but it is more commonly described in the Far
East countries. Dietary change is one of the predisposing factors. We report on nine young adult
patients with prurigo pigmentosa, among whom five were on ketogenic diets prior to the onset of
the eruptions. All cases resolved with oral doxycycline with no recurrence. We hope to improve the
awareness of this uncommon skin condition among general practitioners and physicians so that
disfiguring hyperpigmentation due to delayed diagnosis and treatment can be avoided.
3.Comparison of the efficacy and safety of Sungai Buloh Augmented Multiple Drug Therapy (SBA-MDT) and the World Health Organisation Multiple Drug Therapy (WHO-MDT) in the Treatment of Leprosy in Malaysia
Felix Boon Bin Yap ; Chang Choong Chor ; Asmah Johar ; Roshidah Baba
Malaysian Journal of Dermatology 2012;28(-):9-17
Background Multiple drug therapy for leprosy has been in use in Malaysia since 1985. The SBAMDT
is a modified WHO-MDT with an initial intensive phase and a longer duration of treatment.
Objective The aim of the study is to compare the efficacy and safety of SBA-MDT against WHOMDT
in the Treatment of Leprosy in Malaysia.
Methodology A retrospective study was conducted between 1985 and 2009 in thirteen Malaysian
dermatology centres. Data collected were analysed for comparison of relapse rates, compliance rates
and adverse drug effects between the 2 regimes.
Results A total of 1113 patients were included, of which 966 patients completed the SBA-MDT and
147 patients completed the WHO-MDT. Both the MDT regimes had a treatment failure rate of less
than 2%. The relapse rate was 1.7% with SBA-MDT and 1.4% with WHO-MDT (p = 0.79). For
multibacillary leprosy, the relapse rates were 0.9% with the former and 0 with the latter (p = 0.32).
For paucibacillary leprosy, it was 3.1% and 5.0% respectively (p = 0.52). Patients on SBA-MDT had
higher type 1 (16.1% vs. 8.8%, p = 0.03) and type 2 lepra reactions (19.2% vs. 6.1%, p < 0.001).
Similarly, those on SBA-MDT also had higher rate of severe adverse drug reactions (11.1% vs.
5.6%, p = 0.01).
Conclusion Both the SBA-MDT and the WHO-MDT regimes were effective in inducing clinical
remission. Incidence of lepra reactions and severe adverse drug reactions were higher in patients
with SBA-MDT.
4.Consensus Guidelines in Usage of Biologics in Dermatology during COVID-19 Pandemic: Biologic Advisory Group Malaysia
Steven Kim Weng Chow ; Siew Eng Choon ; Chan Lee Chin ; Noor Zalmy Azizan ; Pubalan Muniandy ; Henry Boon Bee Foong ; Agnes Yoke Hui Heng ; Benji Tze Yuen Teoh ; Felix Boon Bin Yap ; Wooi Chiang Tan ; Peter Wee Beng Ch&rsquo ; ng ; Kwee Eng Tey ; Latha Selvarajah ; Suganthi Thevarajah
Malaysian Journal of Dermatology 2020;45(2):2-10
The aim of this Biologic Advisory Group (BAG)
Malaysia consensus guideline is to provide
clinicians managing cutaneous diseases with
biologics relevant parameters to consider prior to
initiating or stopping or continuing any biologic
treatment in the current landscape of the COVID-19
pandemic. Besides reviewing the medical literatures
on COVID-19 and evidences related to other
human coronavirus or influenza, expert opinions
and clinical experiences are shared and debated in
formulation of this biologic consensus guideline.