1.Framingham Risk Scores and Anthropometric Measurements in Predicting Cardiovascular Risks among Malay Men
Moy FM ; Atiya Ab Sallam ; Wong ML
Malaysian Journal of Nutrition 2008;14(1):57-63
Framingham Risk Scores is an established method to predict an individual’s 10-year risk for coronary heart disease (CHD). It provides a more precise delineation
of risk which might lead to appropriate selection of therapy and opportunities for
patient education and motivation. A Healthy Lifestyle Project was initiated to decrease the modifiable risk factors for CHD in a worksite in Kuala Lumpur. The
participants were Malay men (n=186) working as security guards in a public university. Their mean age was 46.6 + 6.6 years. The majority had secondary
education and were married. The participants’ 10-year risks based on the Framingham Risk Scores were 55.4%, 39.8% and 4.8% respectively for categories
of low (< 10%), intermediate (10 to 20%) and high (>20%) risk. Their Framingham Risk Scores were then correlated with anthropometric measurements such as the
Body Mass Index (BMI), waist circumference and waist-hip-ratio (WHR). All the anthropometric measurements had weak but significant correlation with the
Framingham Risk Scores (WHR: r=0.26; waist circumference: r=0.23; BMI: r=0.16). In conclusion, 44.6% of our participants had more than 10% risk in developing
CHD in the coming ten years. Hence, they are suitable target candidates for the promotion of a healthy lifestyle such as smoking cessation, weight control, healthy
dietary patterns and increased physical activities. Indicators of abdominal obesity like WHR or waist circumference may be used to complement the Framingham
Risk Scores for the prediction of CHD risk in this population.
2.Multiple Atraumatic Osteoporotic Vertebral Fractures in an Adolescent with Suprasellar Germinoma: A Case Report
CC Wong ; HF Phang ; ML Cheong ; Ramanathan Ramiah
Malaysian Orthopaedic Journal 2012;6(2):54-56
We present the case of a patient with multiple atraumatic
osteoporotic vertebral fractures in an adolescent with
suprasellar germinoma and also review of relevant literature. The patient suffered from a rare adolescent brain tumour with common complications which are often overlooked and give rise to significant morbidity. Suprasellar germinoma is an intracranial neoplasm, that in addition to its rarity, has variable clinical presentation. Despite appropriate treatment
and good outcome, tumour related morbidity is still of
concern for these patients.
3.Potential endophenotype for schizophrenia: neurological soft signs.
Christy Lm HUI ; Gloria Hy WONG ; Cindy Py CHIU ; May Ml LAM ; Eric Yh CHEN
Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore 2009;38(5):408-406
INTRODUCTIONNeurological soft signs (NSS) are suggested as a candidate endophenotype for schizophrenia. This article aims to review relevant literature and discuss the role of NSS in understanding schizophrenia.
METHODSThis is an update on a review article published in 2003. Articles from 2003 onwards were specifically reviewed and discussed with relevance to the role of NSS as endophenotype for schizophrenia.
RESULTSConsistent data suggest an excess of NSS in schizophrenic patients. NSS appear to be related to schizophrenic symptoms, in particular negative symptoms and disorganisation. Information on NSS and demographic correlates is scarce, and the confounding effects between age, education and intelligence on NSS constitute an important gap in current knowledge. Longitudinal data suggest NSS as both a trait and state variable in the course of disease. NSS are not specific with regard to diagnosis, although there are claims that individual sub-components may be more specific. The weight of evidence raises question on the specificity of NSS for schizophrenia.
CONCLUSIONSThe usefulness and feasibility of NSS as a specific endophenotype target for schizophrenia is unclear. However, NSS remain an important feature and symptom correlate of schizophrenia. Future research should focus on delineating the effects of NSS from those of confounding demographic variables, and the stability of NSS over the course of illness to elucidate its role in schizophrenia.
Humans ; Mental Disorders ; Neurologic Examination ; Phenotype ; Risk Factors ; Schizophrenia ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Sensitivity and Specificity
4.Can Paediatric Femoral Fracture Hip Spica Application be Done in the Outpatient Setting?
Yap ST ; Lee NKL ; Ang ML ; Chui RW ; Lim KBL ; Arjandas M ; Wong KPL
Malaysian Orthopaedic Journal 2021;15(No.1):105-112
children with femur fractures. This study compares the
outcomes of spica cast application, in terms of quality of
fracture reduction and hospital charges when performed in
operating theatre versus outpatient clinics at a local
institution.
Materials and Methods: A total of 93 paediatric patients,
aged between 2 months to 8 years, who underwent spica
casting for an isolated femur fracture between January 2008
and March 2019, were identified retrospectively. They were
separated into inpatient or outpatient cohort based on the
location of spica cast application. Five patients with
metaphyseal fractures and four with un-displaced fractures
were excluded. There were 13 and 71 patients in the
outpatient and inpatient cohort respectively who underwent
spica casting for their diaphyseal and displaced femur
fractures. Variables between cohorts were compared.
Results: There were no significant differences in gender,
fracture pattern, and mechanism of injury between cohorts.
Spica casting as inpatients delayed the time from assessment
to casting (23.55 ± 29.67h vs. 6.75 ± 4.27h, p<0.05),
increased average hospital stay (41.2 ± 31.1h vs. 19.2 ±
15.0h, p<0.05) and average hospital charges (US$1857.14 vs
US$775.49, p<0.05). Excluding the un-displaced fractures,
there were no significant differences in the period of cast
immobilisation and median follow-up length. Both cohorts
had a similar proportion of unacceptable reduction and
revision casting rate.
Conclusion: Both cohorts presented similar spica casting
outcomes of fracture reduction and follow-up period. With
spica cast application in operating theatre reporting higher
hospital charges and prolonged hospital stay, the outpatient
clinic should always be considered for hip spica application.