1.Gene frequencies of human platelet alloantigens in Kelantan, Malaysia.
Shalini BHASKAR ; Jafri Malin ABDULLAH ; Narazah Mohd YUSOFF ; Atul PRASAD
Singapore medical journal 2007;48(6):598-599
Adolescent
;
Adult
;
Antigens, Human Platelet
;
genetics
;
Female
;
Gene Frequency
;
Genotype
;
Humans
;
Malaysia
;
epidemiology
;
Male
;
Middle Aged
;
Oceanic Ancestry Group
;
genetics
;
Polymorphism, Genetic
2.Prevalence of Aspirin Resistance in Diabetic Patients and its Associated Factors
Nor Halwani Habizal ; Sanihah Abdul Halim ; Shalini Bhaskar ; Wan Mohamed Wan Bebakar ; Jafri Malin Abdullah
Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences 2015;22(1):50-57
Background: Aspirin resistance has posed a major dilemma in the prevention of cardiovascular disease and stroke. There have been many factors that have been associated with aspirin resistance. Among these factors, the inflammatory processes of diabetes and glycaemic control have been significantly associated with aspirin resistance. Our study evaluated the prevalence of aspirin resistance and its associated factors.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional, interventional study, which was implemented from October to November 2012 at the Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM). Sixty-nine patients with diabetes who were taking aspirin were enrolled. The glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were measured in these patients. The thromboelastography (TEG) level was measured using a TEG machine by a trained technician employing standard methods. The variables obtained were analysed for prevalence of aspirin resistance, HbA1c, CRP, and TEG level. The Chi-square test (and Fisher exact test where applicable) were used to evaluate the associations between aspirin resistance with glycaemic control (HbA1c) and inflammatory markers (CRP).
Results: The prevalence of aspirin resistance was 17.4% (95%; CI 9.3, 28.4). Glycaemic control (HbA1c) and inflammatory markers (CRP) were not associated with aspirin resistance. Aspirin resistance was prevalent in our study population and was comparable to other studies. The mean HbA1c in the aspirin-resistant group was 8.9%, whereas the mean HbA1c in the aspirin-sensitive group was 8.6%.
Conclusion: There was no significant difference in HbA1c between the two groups. There was no significant association between CRP levels and aspirin resistance.
5.Updates on Knowledge, Attitude and Preventive Practices on Tuberculosis among Healthcare Workers
Farhanah Abd Wahab ; Sarimah Abdullah ; Jafri Malin Abdullah ; Hasnan Jaafar ; Siti Suraiya Md Noor ; Wan Mohd Zahiruddin Wan Mohammad ; Abdul Aziz Mohamed Yusoff ; John Tharakan ; Shalini Bhaskar ; Muthuraju Sangu ; Mohd Shah Mahmood ; Fauziah Kassim ; Md. Hanip Rafia ; Mohammed Safari Mohammed Haspani ; Azmi Alias ; Rogelio Hernández Pando
Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences 2016;23(6):25-34
Ranking as the most communicable disease killer worldwide, tuberculosis, has accounted
with a total of 9.6 million new tuberculosis cases with 1.5 million tuberculosis-related deaths
reported globally in 2014. Tuberculosis has remain as an occupational hazard for healthcare
workers since 1920s and due to several tuberculosis outbreaks in healthcare settings in the early
1990s, the concern about the transmission to both patients and healthcare workers has been
raised. Healthcare workers have two to three folds greater the risk of active tuberculosis than the
general population. Several studies on knowledge, attitude and practices on tuberculosis among
healthcare workers worldwide have revealed that majority of the participated healthcare workers
had good knowledge on tuberculosis. Most of the healthcare workers from South India and South
Africa also reported to have positive attitude whereas a study in Thailand reported that most of
the healthcare providers have negative attitude towards tuberculosis patients. Nevertheless,
majority of the healthcare workers have low level of practice on tuberculosis prevention. An
improved communication between healthcare workers and the patients as well as their families
is the key to better therapeutic outcomes with good knowledge, attitude and preventive practice
towards tuberculosis.