1.Clinical Presentation, Severity and Progression of Primary Angle Closure in Malay and Chinese Patients
Ahmad Tajudin Liza-Sharmini ; Guan Fook Ng ; Yusoff Nor-Sharina ; Md Isa Khairil Anuar ; Zaid Nik Azlan ; Yaakub Azhany
The Medical Journal of Malaysia 2014;69(6):245-251
Objective: To compare the clinical presentation, severity and
progression of primary angle closure between Chinese and
Malays residing in Malaysia.
Methods: A comparative retrospective record review study
was conducted involving one hundred (200 eyes) Malay and
fifty eight (116 eyes) Chinese patients. They were selected
from medical records of Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia,
Kelantan and Hospital Pulau Pinang, Penang, Malaysia. The
selected patients were re-diagnosed based on the
International Society of Geographical and Epidemiological
classification. The clinical data on presentation including
the presence of systemic diseases were documented.
Progression of the disease was based on available reliable
visual fields and optic disc changes of patients who have
been on follow-up for at least five years.
Results: Malay patients presented at older age (61.4 years
SD 8.4) compared to Chinese (60.6 years SD 8.3). There was
significant higher baseline Intraocular Pressure (IOP) among
Malays (34.7 SD 18.5mmHg) compared to Chinese (30.3 SD
16.7mmHg) (p=0.032). The Chinese patients presented with
significantly better visual acuity (p<0.001) and less
advanced cup to disc changes (p=0.001) compared to
Malays. Malay patients progressed faster than the Chinese.
Majority progressed within 1 year of diagnosis. Malays
without laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI) have a 4 fold (95% CI
1.4, 10.9) risk of progression. Higher baseline IOP, more
advanced visual field defect and absence of LPI was
identified as significant predictors associated with
progression.
Conclusion: The Malays presented with more advanced
angle closure glaucoma as compared to the Chinese in
Malaysia. Aggressive disease progression was observed in
Malays with the onset of optic neuropathy. Effective public
awareness and aggressive management is important to
prevent blindness in the Malaysian population.
2.Validation Of Nutrition Screening Tool: Royal Free Hospital Nutritional Prioritizing Tool (RFH-NPT) For Chronic Liver Disease Patients
Norashimah Rajab ; Syahrul Bariah Abdul Hamid ; Aishah Hanum Mohd Said ; Khairil Anuar Md Isa
Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 2023;19(No.3):130-137
Introduction: Hepatic diseases patients are especially prone to malnutrition, which is often underestimated. Screening tools were developed to detect the risk of malnutrition. However, screening tools for patients with liver disease
were frequently underestimated. Fluid overload is the main issue to perform nutritional screening in liver disease patients. Therefore, this study aimed to validate the Royal Free Hospital Nutritional Prioritizing Tool (RFH-NPT) among
patients and to evaluate association between RFH-NPT, Nutritional Risk Screening (NRS 2002) and Subjective Global
Assessment (SGA). Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted in 3 phases; transcultural adaptation, criterion
validity and reliability phases. Content validity was confirmed by interviewing eight liver disease professionals. Face
validity was assessed by surveying forty nurses working in the liver disease ward. In addition, agreement between
NRS 2002 and RFH-NPT assessment was assessed using the SGA tool. Results: Eighty patients with liver disease took
part in this study. The SGA assessment found malnutrition in 75% of patients (95% CI, 60%–95%) while 80% (95%
CI, 65%-80) were found as at risk of malnutrition using RFH- NPT. Moderate specificity and high sensitivity of RFHNPT were 97% and 74%, respectively, and 95% positive predictive value was measured. Conclusion: The RFH-NPT
nutritional screening tool is the initial and most reliable in this population to assess the malnutrition risk. Thus, inclusion of the RFH-NPT with NRS 2002 demonstrated positive and a fair agreement between the SGA and RFH-NPT
tool to be used as a routine nutrition screening protocol for identifying patients at risk of malnutrition.
3.Sociodemographic Predictors of Food Insecurity Among Malay University Students
Alia Azmi ; Khairil Anuar Md Isa ; Norazimah Abd Aziz ; Mohd Ghazali Masuri
Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 2022;18(No.2):42-49
Introduction: Food insecurity is currently a problem faced by both developing and developed nations. Issues of
food insecurity reflect both social and economic challenges, posing a significant policy dilemma. Although there
has been various research on food insecurity, very little has been done to better understand what are the sociodemographic factors that can predict food insecurity within a Malaysian context, especially amongst the unique community of Malay university students, which makes up the largest group of students in tertiary education. Therefore,
this study examined the prevalence of food insecurity and its associated factors among Malay university students.
Methods: Conducted in Universiti Teknologi MARA, Selangor Campus, conveniently sampled participants (n = 181)
completed a pre-tested English version of the US Adult Food Security Survey Module (AFSSM) questions in 2015,
which measures their level of food security status. Binary logistic regression analysis was carried out to determine
the sociodemographic predictors of food insecurity among the sampled population. Results: More than one-third of
participants (42.5%) reported food insecurity within the past year with 22.1% experiencing very low food insecurity.
Additionally, of those who experienced food security, 5.4% reported a low food security status. However, no significant predictors were observed positively related to food insecurity. Conclusion: Data indicates that food insecurity is
a significant problem among university students and additional research is needed to better understand and address
food insecurity in higher education.