Introduction: Introduction: Malnutrition is a serious unresolved nutritional problem amongst dialysis patients associated with increased mortality and morbidity and prevalence differs according to dialysis modalities. This study compared protein- energy malnutrition (PEM) prevalence in haemodialysis (HD) and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients. Methods: A total of 155 HD and 90 CAPD patients were enrolled. PEM prevalence was determined using body mass mdex (BMI), serum albumin, Dialysis Malnutrition Score (DM5) and dietary intake. Results: CAPD patients had significantly higher BMI (24.1 � 4.8 kg/m2 vs. 22.7 � 4.8 kg/m2 p=O.024) and mid-arm muscle area (32.1 � 12.4 cm2 vs. 29.5 � 15.9 cm2 p=O.044) than HD patients. They also had significantly lower serum albumin (31 � 5 g/L vs. 35 � 6 g/L; p5 years were independent risk factors of PEM hi dialysis patients. Conclusion: Periodic nutritional assessments, education and dietary counseling should be emphasised in these patients as a preventive measure of PEM.

Childhood obesity is an established problem in many countries and emerging in others. Epidemiological data on obesity in children is essential in order to plan public health policy and services. A study was conducted to determine the prevalence of obesity in schoolchildren in the fifth grade of elementary school (10-12 years old) in the district of Kuala Selangor. Ten schools of which five are in urban and five in rural areas were selected consisting of 699 eleven year old schoolchildren from the three major ethnic groups. Using international cut-off points for obesity, we report an overall prevalence of obesity of 7.2%. Prevalence of obesity in urban children is 7.2% whereas in rural children it is 7.0 %. Analysed by gender, there were 8.9% obese boys and 5.3% obese girls. Among the 3 major ethnic groups, the Malays had the highest prevalence of obesity at 9.3% followed by the Chinese with 6.6% while among Indians 3.0%. The data obtained from this study suggests that obesity in Kuala Selangor children is a cause for concern in urban and rural areas.
Obesity ; seconds ; Child ; Prevalence aspects ; rural area

Primary hyperparathyroidism due to ectopic parathyroid adenomas can pose diagnostic and management challenges, especially when imaging studies have localised the lesions to different sites. We report a case of symptomatic hypercalcaemia due to a mediastinal parathyroid adenoma. Ultrasonography identified a nodule posterior to the right thyroid gland. However, computed tomography and technetium-99m sestamibi scintigraphy revealed an ectopic parathyroid adenoma located in the anterior mediastinum. The adenoma was successfully removed through a median sternotomy. However, postoperatively, the patient developed prolonged symptomatic hypocalcaemia, possibly due to suppression of the normal parathyroid gland function, although the presence of concomitant hungry bone syndrome was possible. The histopathology of the mediastinal mass was consistent with a parathyroid adenoma.
Calcium ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Hypercalcemia ; etiology ; Hyperparathyroidism ; diagnosis ; Hypocalcemia ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Mediastinal Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Middle Aged ; Parathyroid Glands ; pathology ; Parathyroid Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Postoperative Complications ; Technetium Tc 99m Sestamibi ; pharmacology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Ultrasonography

Background: Studies on the anthropometric, physical and physiological characteristics among Malaysian Paralympic powerlifters are limited. This study examined the sociodemographic, clinical information and anthropometric physical parameters of Paralympic powerlifters in Malaysia.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted during a Powerlifting Workshop and National Championship in 2016. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on powerlifters’ sociodemographic, sports participation history and medical information. All participants underwent a structured physical medical examination and anthropometric assessments. Results: Fifty-two powerlifters participated in this study. Mean age of participants was 24.50±SD8.25 year. The majority of the participants were men (82.7%) and most had spinal cord injury (34.6%) or amputation of the lower limb (26.9%). Most of the powerlifters competed at district and state level championships and 42.3% had represented Malaysia at international competitions. Women powerlifters had a significantly higher amount of body fat compared to men (35.61% vs 19.80%; p=0.003). Male power-lifters had significantly longer arm and forearm length (30.10±IQR3.00 cm vs 23.00±IQR2.13 cm; p=0.020). A significantly positive relationship was found between age, experience, weight, BMI, LBM, arm circumferences (relaxed and tensed) and the powerlifter’s best lift. Age, experience, body weight, BMI, lean body mass, body fat, hip circumference and arm circumferences (relaxed and tensed) met the criteria for inclusion in a multivariate model. Years of experience and non-dominant arm circumference (tensed) were significant predictors of best lifts among powerlifters. Conclusion: In conclusion, assessment of anthropometric measures could be useful in monitoring athletes’ progress with training and have a role in the talent identification program for Paralympic powerlifters

Melioidosis is a disease of public health importance associated with high case-fatality rates in animals and humans caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei (B. pseudomallei), a gramnegative bacterium that lives in tropical soil environments. This study determined the seropositivity for melioidosis among patients admitted to healthcare centres in Malaysia, from 2015 to 2019 and identified factors related to it. A total of 26,665 serum samples of suspected melioidosis patients from Malaysia hospitals were tested for IgM against B. pseudomallei. About 16.4% of total samples were seropositive and majority of them were 55 years old and above. However, younger people aged less than 15 years old were the most susceptible to the infection (AOR 3.04, p <0.001, 95% CI: 2.73, 3.39). Melioidosis infection was the highest in Sarawak (15.1%) while Perlis was the least exposed to the infection (0.9%). Further analyses showed that patients with chronic lung disease (adjusted OR: 4.03, p < 0.001, 95% CI: 2.77, 5.86) were more susceptible to melioidosis infection. In conclusion, although serology testing is not a gold standard test in diagnosing melioidosis, it has been used as a tool in treatment monitoring and disease surveillance among patients and at-risk community in the endemic hot-spots regions.

Diabetes mellitus has reached epidemic levels in Malaysia due to increase in its risk factors such as obesity, dietary and sedentary lifestyle. In patients with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, diabetic foot ulcer (DFU)is a common complication. Managing diabetic foot infection is often multifactorial and intricate. The management DFU demands multi-speciality approach and often tedious. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a promising adjunctive treatment used to enhance the healing process plus reduces cost and recovery time. This is a case of a 52 years old lady, with underlying poorly diabetes mellitus, who presented with diabetic foot ulcer Wagner IV classification in sepsis. She underwent trans-metatarsal amputation followed by split skin grafting with additional adjunctive HBOT in a tertiary hospital.