INTRODUCTIONMore than 80% of children with osteogenic sarcoma (OS) relapse and 35% to 40% of them die within the first 2 years after diagnosis due to relapse. We investigated the incidence, treatment modalities used and the outcome of patients with OS treated in Singapore.

MATERIALS AND METHODSPatients with OS treated in Department of Paediatrics KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH) and National University Hospital (NUH) between January 1994 and June 2011 were reviewed. Chemotherapy was as per the European Osteosarcoma Intergroup (EOI) and as per the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Centre's (MSKCC) T12 protocols. Overall and event-free (EFS) 5-year survivals were calculated using Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazards regression analysis.

RESULTSOf 66 patients with OS, 19 (29%) of them presented with metastatic OS. The median age of diagnosis was 12.1 years with 5-year overall survival of 61.7% (95% CI, 48.1 to 75.3). The 5-year overall survival for those with non-metastatic and metastatic OS was 73.1% (95% CI, 58.1 to 88.1) and 34.7% (95% CI, 8.7 to 60.7, P=0.007) respectively. The 5-year overall survival for those treated as per the MSKCC T12 and EOI was 72.4% (95% CI, 52.6 to 92.2) and 54.3% (95% CI, 36.3 to 72.3, P=0.087) respectively. After controlling for confounding factors, patients with non-metastatic OS had higher 5-year EFS (HR, 0.228, 95% CI, 0.096 to 0.541, P=0.001) and overall survival (HR, 0.294, 95% CI, 0.121 to 0.713, P=0.007) compared to those with metastatic OS. Non-metastatic OS patients treated as per EOI regimen had lower 5-year EFS (HR, 2.397, 95% CI, 1.012 to 6.678, P=0.047) compared to those treated per MSKCC T12 regimen.

CONCLUSIONMultidrug combination chemotherapy including high-dose methotrexate (HD-MTX) and a multidisciplinary team approach introduced in 2003 in Singapore is well tolerated and can be safely delivered. The survival benefit between the 2 regimens still needs to be explored.

Adolescent ; Bone Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; mortality ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Osteosarcoma ; drug therapy ; mortality ; Survival Rate ; Young Adult

INTRODUCTIONAlthough rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) constitutes nearly 4% of all children diagnosed with cancer in the ethnically diverse small island city of Singapore, it is unknown how children with RMS fare.

MATERIALS AND METHODSThis study investigated 50 children with RMS from April 1993 to December 2010 from KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH) and National University Hospital (NUH). They were treated either as per Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma Study Group (IRSG) or Société Internationale Pediatrique D'Oncologie (SIOP) regimens.

RESULTSMedian age of diagnosis was 5.1 years (range, 0.1 to 17.3 years) with a median follow-up of 3.3 years (range, 0.4 to 15.6 years). According to IRSG classifi cation, 18 (36%) were staged as low-risk (LR); 19 (38%) were intermediate-risk (IR), 12 (24%) were high-risk (HR) and it was unknown in 1 patient. Twenty-nine (58%) were of embryonal subtype, 17 (34%) were alveolar and subclassification was not available in 4. The primary sites of tumour were: head and neck region (n = 22); genitourinary (n = 19); extremity (n = 10); and abdomen/retroperitoneal (n = 5). At the time of analysis, 80% were alive with no evidence of disease, 9 were dead of disease, and 2 were alive with disease. By disease risk group, the 5-year event-free survival (EFS) for LR group disease was 81.3% (95% CI, 62.0 to 100.0), IR group was 61.4% (95% CI, 32.3 to 90.4) and HR group was 25.0% (95% CI, 0.0 to 49.5) respectively (P <0.001). The 5-year EFS for risk by chemotherapy received as per SIOP vs per IRSG revealed: LR 83.3% vs 75.0% (P = 0.787); IR 83.3% vs 43.8% (P = 0.351); HR 0.0% vs 42.9% (P = 0.336) respectively. Of 15 relapses (HR, n = 7), at median of 2 years, 4 of 6 patients treated as per SIOP regimen were dead of disease and 3 of 8 treated as per IRSG were alive.

CONCLUSIONRadiation therapy (RT) can be avoided in LR classification although those in higher risk classification need RT to local and distant metastatic disease. The outcome of children with RMS in Singapore can be further improved by coming together as a cooperative group to provide the best total care. Improved communication, multidisciplinary team collaboration, standardisation of protocols and rigorous data collection are keys.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Humans ; Infant ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; therapy ; Practice Patterns, Physicians' ; Retrospective Studies ; Rhabdomyosarcoma ; therapy ; Singapore

Background: Intravenous (IV) iron therapy is performed in community practices and hospitals with modern formulations when oral administration becomes impractical. Effective replacement of iron is important for the treatment of iron deficiency and anemia. Can IV iron be rechallenged in individuals with a history of adverse reactions? This review is to explore the challenge of this, when clinically indicated. Methods: After performing a literature search, five studies (combined total sample number=1,006) for re-exposure of IV iron to individuals with a history of past reactions were identified, observed, and analyzed. Re-exposure included reactions ranging from mild to moderate and few cases of severe type. Results: The majority (>80%) of IV iron rechallenges were tolerable, safe, and successful without major serious incidents. There were no reports of major reactions (severe hypersensitivity reactions or anaphylaxis) in these re-exposures. Conclusion Re-administration of IV iron therapy in patients with a previous adverse reaction is plausible, with benefit and risk stratification. A rechallenge would depend on the nature and degree of the adverse reaction and use of alternative formulations. Rechallenge to a previous severe hypersensitivity reaction or anaphylaxis with the same product has not been reported in these studies. Evidence on the benefit of premedication use is conflicting and requires further studies.

The lower percentage of water, sanitation and hygiene are the root causes of diarrhoea and cholera. Cholera is a sudden onset of acute watery diarrhoea which can progress to severe dehydration and death if untreated. The current pandemic, Vibrio Cholera O1 started in 1961. This study explores water, sanitation, hygiene and cholera and diarrhoea in three affected villages of Beluran District, Sabah Malaysia to support effective and timely public health intervention. This cross sectional study uses purposive sampling. All (114) households were interviewed and household water samples collected. The study reported lower coverage improved sanitation facilities (35.3% to 52.3%), no latrine at home (37% to 63%), improved water supply (52% to 60%), and prevalence of hand washing after toilet (57% - 74%). For water quality, Ecoli was present in household water (32% to 37%) but Vibrio cholerae was not isolated in any of the water samples tested. Statistically significant associations were found for; 1) occupation−non-agriculture and unimproved sanitation facility and 2) house ownership and correct knowledge of ORS preparation. Predictors for household water quality were: latrine at home, and improved household toilet. Aggressive strategies to improve water supply, sanitation and hygiene−hand washing after toilet−were recommended for future prevention of cholera and diarrhoea in the affected area.
Cholera ; Sanitation ; Rural Population

This paper investigates the antenatal care (ANC) services utilization in currently pregnant women during their visits to maternal and child health (MCH) clinics of rural (Kinabatangan) and urban (Sandakan), Sabah. A community clinic based, cross-sectional descriptive study was performed. In total, 800 currently pregnant women attending two MCH clinics, from April to September 2012, were participated using tested set questionnaires. Descriptive analysis was used for background characteristics and chi-square analysis was applied to identify the rural-urban differences among the variables.In both study areas, previous births delivered by skilled birth personnel were same. In pregnant women from rural, less income, more grand-multiparity, earlier antenatal care booking, more frequent post-natal care, more use of contraception compared to those in urban. In comparison, urban pregnant women had more anti-tetanus toxoid injection in their previous pregnancies, past history of antenatal care for at least four times, increase in household members. As this study found the differences in ANC services utilization at Rural and Urban, further study is needed to explore concrete reasons for above findings. By delivering services according to the needs of all clients, irrespective of their place of residence, it will improve ANC services utilization in both areas of Sabah and hence will improve more on existing health status of the Nation.

Background: As the prevalence of metabolic syndrome, obesity and diabetes increase worldwide, the need to identify modifiable lifestyle risk factors also increases, especially those that may be relatively unique to a specific population. To explore a possible association between betel quid chewing and metabolic syndrome, a community-based cross-sectional study was conducted. Methodology: Three hundred ninety-one (391) adults were interviewed and the following parameters were measured: triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, glucose, waist circumference, body mass index and blood pressure. Multiple logistic regression was used to determine the association between betel quid chewing and metabolic syndrome while controlling for confounders. Results: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was similar in chewers and non-chewers, 50% and 49%, respectively. After controlling for other factors, development of metabolic syndrome was positively associated with number of betel quid chewed per day, age greater than 40 years , and a positive family history of hypertension and diabetes. Regarding the duration of betel chewing, when analyzed by sex, the risk was doubled in men compared to non-chewers (OR 2.15; 95% CI = 1.21, 3.84]). As a result, a man chewing more than 10 pieces (OR 2.49; 95% CI = 1.36, 4.57]) of betel quids per day for more than 10 years had a two-fold increased chance of developing the metabolic syndrome. Conclusions Frequency and duration of betel quid chewing may represent a behavioral lifestyle target for approaches to reduce the incidence of metabolic syndrome.
Metabolic Syndrome

INTRODUCTIONThis study assesses the trends and predictors of mortality and morbidity in infants of gestational age (GA) <27 weeks from 1990 to 2007.

MATERIALS AND METHODSThis is a retrospective cross-sectional cohort study of infant deliveries between 1990 and 2007 in the largest perinatal centre in Singapore. This is a study of infants born at <27 weeks in 2 Epochs (Epoch 1 (E1):1990 to 1998, Epoch 2 (E2):1999 to 2007) using logistic regression models to identify factors associated with mortality and composite morbidity. The main outcomes that were measured were the trends and predictors of mortality and morbidity.

RESULTSFour hundred and eight out of 615 (66.3%) live born infants at 22 to 26 weeks survived to discharge. Survival improved with increasing GA from 22% (13/59) at 23 weeks to 87% (192/221) at 26 weeks (P <0.01). Survival rates were not different between E1 and E2, (61.5% vs 68.8%). In logistic regression analysis, higher survival was independently associated with increasing GA and birthweight, while airleaks, severe intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH) and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) contributed to increased mortality. Rates of major neonatal morbidities were bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) (45%), sepsis (35%), severe retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) (31%), severe IVH/ periventricular leucomalacie (PVL) (19%) and NEC (10%). Although composite morbidity comprising any of the above was not significantly different between the 2 Epochs (75% vs 73%) a decreasing trend was seen with increasing GA (P <0.001). Composite morbidity/ mortality was significantly lower at 26 weeks (58%) compared to earlier gestations (P <0.001, OR 0.37, 95% CI, 0.28 to 0.48) and independently associated with decreasing GA and birth weight, male sex, hypotension, presence of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and airleaks.

CONCLUSIONIncreasing survival and decreasing composite morbidity was seen with each increasing week in gestation with marked improvement seen at 26 weeks. Current data enables perinatal care decisions and parental counselling.

Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Infant Mortality ; trends ; Infant, Extremely Premature ; growth & development ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature, Diseases ; classification ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Neonatal Screening ; methods ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; statistics & numerical data ; Prognosis ; Risk Factors ; Singapore ; epidemiology ; Survival Rate ; trends

INTRODUCTIONIt is reported that junior doctors experience a large amount of work related stress and fatigue which has detrimental effects on their well-being and patient safety. We seek to determine the health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) of junior doctors using the Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36) and compare their HR-QoL with that of populations of norms and senior doctors.

MATERIALS AND METHODSThe SF-36v2 (Singapore version) was self-administered to a convenience sample of 213 doctors from a large tertiary teaching hospital. Junior doctors were defined as those less than 30 years of age (48%). Adjusted normative values were derived from the SF-36 Norms for the Singapore General Population Calculator for all 8 scales. The mean score differences between junior doctors and their adjusted normative values as well as that for senior doctors were computed and contrasted.

RESULTSOne hundred and eighty-fi ve doctors fully responded. Their mean age was 33.6 years (SD 8.1). Also, 45% were female and 88% were Chinese. Junior doctors had lower scores than senior doctors in all scales except Physical Functioning. After adjustment for gender and race, junior doctors had statistically significant lower Mental Health scores than senior doctors (P = 0.01). Compared with the normative population, junior doctors scored lower in all domains except for Physical Functioning. For Vitality, the difference is - 14.9.

CONCLUSIONJunior doctors have poorer mental health scores compared to senior doctors. Also, the lower vitality scores suggest that junior doctors are more likely to be fatigued than their normative population. More studies and efforts will be needed to identify factors that affect the quality of life in junior doctors and to evaluate the most appropriate measures to improve the efficiency of their work.

Adult ; Age Factors ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Fatigue ; Female ; Health Status ; Health Surveys ; Hospitals, Teaching ; Humans ; Male ; Medical Staff, Hospital ; psychology ; Mental Health ; Occupational Health ; Quality of Life ; Singapore ; Stress, Psychological ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Food safety is a growing public health concern worldwide. Street foods are an integral part of many cultures and offer at affordable prices. However, it is associated with food safety issues, especially in developing countries. Therefore, it is essential that street food vendors understand and implement food safety practices to prevent outbreaks of food-borne illnesses. This cross-sectional study investigated the food safety knowledge and practices as well as their associated factors among street food vendors in Taunggyi Township, Myanmar. Validated structured questionnaires were used to interview 158 street food vendors, and a set of observational checklists was used to inspect the sanitary conditions of vending sites and vendors’ food hygiene practices. The association between food safety knowledge and practices was assessed using a chi-squared test. Our results revealed that most vendors had a high level of food safety knowledge and that 58.9% scored equal to or lower than the median value in food safety practices, whereas 41.1% scored higher than the median value (median=15). Sex and education level were significantly associated with participants’ food safety knowledge (p < 0.001). Similarly, education, race and monthly income were significantly associated with their food safety practices (p < 0.001), whereas food safety training attendance had no association. Additionally, participants with better knowledge scores were more likely to have better practice scores. Food safety training given to vendors should be more detailed and comply with standard guidelines, especially with regard to street food safety practices.

INTRODUCTION: There are concerns that angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) may worsen the outcomes of patients with COVID-19. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to study the in-hospital mortality among COVID-19 patients who were on ACEIs/ARBs as compared to those not on ACEIs/ARBs. METHODS: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, clinicaltrials.gov and Google Scholar between 1 January 2020 and 30 May 2020 to identify all studies that evaluated the use of ACEIs/ARBs and reported the in-hospital mortality outcomes of COVID-19 patients. Nine non-randomised studies were eligible for inclusion in the analysis. The primary outcome studied was the in-hospital mortality of COVID-19 patients who were on ACEIs/ARBs compared with those not on ACEIs/ARBs. RESULTS: Of the 8,313 patients in the nine studies, 7,622 (91.7%) were from studies with all-comers, while 691 (8.3%) were from studies involving only patients with hypertension. 577 (14.6%) in-hospital deaths were observed out of a total of 3,949 patients with an outcome in the nine studies. Overall, no significant difference was observed in the in-hospital mortality between patients on ACEIs/ARBs and those not on ACEIs/ARBs (odds ratio [OR] 1.06, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.75-1.50; p = 0.73). Further sensitivity analysis in the hypertension group and the all-comers group showed similar results (OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.58-1.32; p = 0.53 and OR 1.85, 95% CI 1.00-3.43; p = 0.05, respectively). CONCLUSION We observed that ACEIs/ARBs had no significant impact on the in-hospital mortality of COVID-19 patients and can be used safely in patients with indications.
Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists/therapeutic use* ; Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors/therapeutic use* ; COVID-19 ; Hospital Mortality ; Humans ; Hypertension/drug therapy* ; SARS-CoV-2