Humans ; Ophthalmology ; Practice Patterns, Physicians' ; Retinal Diseases ; therapy ; Singapore

INTRODUCTIONThe prevalence of diabetes mellitus is high in Singapore. Infections of the lower limb are significant causes of morbidity in this population. Although the aerobic bacteriology of these infections is well-documented, there is less data available on the anaerobic pathogens involved. This study sets out to describe the anaerobic bacteria associated with diabetic foot infections, and evaluates the susceptibility to 3 antimicrobials with anaerobic activity.

MATERIALS AND METHODSAnaerobic culture was performed on operative samples taken from diabetic foot infections. Organisms were identified through standard microbiological methods and commercial identification kits. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing to clindamycin, metronidazole and imipenem was performed by agar dilution.

RESULTSOne hundred and two strains of strict anaerobic bacteria were isolated from 30 unique specimens. The predominant anaerobic isolates were Peptostreptococcus spp. (46%) and Bacteroides fragilis group (19%). Antibiotic resistance was detected for clindamycin (18%), metronidazole (1%) and imipenem (2%).

CONCLUSIONMultiple anaerobic species can be isolated from diabetic foot infections. A significant proportion of isolates are resistant to clindamycin, while resistance to imipenem and metronidazole remains low.

Anti-Bacterial Agents ; therapeutic use ; Bacteria, Aerobic ; drug effects ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; DNA, Bacterial ; analysis ; Diabetic Foot ; surgery ; Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Humans ; Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques ; Retrospective Studies ; Surgical Wound Infection ; drug therapy ; microbiology

INTRODUCTIONThe aim of the study was to describe the prevalence and risk factors for diabetic retinopathy in a multi-ethnic diabetic patient cohort referred for retinal evaluation from a nationwide diabetic retinopathy screening programme in Singapore.

MATERIALS AND METHODSSeven hundred and forty-two patients, aged 21 to 95, referred for suspected diabetic retinopathy on annual one-field non-mydriatic 45 degree retinal photographs (Topcon TRC-NW6, Topcon Corporation, Tokyo, Japan) from primary care to the Singapore National Eye Centre diabetic retinopathy clinic were included. The photographs had been interpreted by 24 trained family physicians accredited every 2 years with a training programme. Patients underwent a standardised interview and examination. Fundi were examined with indirect ophthalmoscopy by 2 examiners. Presence and severity of diabetic retinopathy was graded into none, mild, moderate, severe, very severe non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy and proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Macular oedema and clinically significant macular oedema were also graded.

RESULTSNinety-nine per cent of patients were type 2 diabetics. The prevalence of diabetic retinopathy was 38.1%, visionthreatening retinopathy was 11.8% and macular oedema was 6.9%. There were no racial differences. Significant predictors of any retinopathy were longer duration of diabetes, lower body mass index, being on treatment for hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia and use of diabetic medication. Predictors for vision-threatening retinopathy were younger age, longer duration of diabetes and lower body mass index.

CONCLUSIONSThe use of one-field non-mydriatic 45 degree photography as a screening tool for diabetic retinopathy resulted in a cohort of which 38.1% had diabetic retinopathy. Risk factors for diabetic retinopathy of this cohort are also presented.

Adult ; Aged ; Diabetic Retinopathy ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; ethnology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Middle Aged ; Referral and Consultation ; Singapore ; epidemiology

AIMTo determine the long-term outcome, effectiveness and patient satisfaction of congenital penile curvature correction by plication of tunica albuginea.

METHODSFrom January 1992 to January 2002, 106 young patients underwent surgical correction of congenital penile curvature by corporeal plication. Indications for operation were difficult or impossible vaginal penetration and cosmetic problems. The technique of corporeal plication consists of placing longitudinal plication sutures of 2-zero braided polyester on the convex side of the curvature until the curvature is corrected when erection is artificially induced. Results of this procedure were obtained by retrospective chart reviews and questionnaires via mail. Long-term follow-up ranged from 11 to 132 (mean 69.3) months and data were available for 68 patients.

RESULTSPenile straightening was excellent in 62 patients (91 %) and good with less than 15 degree of residual curvature in 6 patients (9 %). Sixty-seven patients reported no change in erectile rigidity or maintenance postoperatively, while 1 described early detumescence. Shortening of the penis without functional problems was noted by 26 patients (38 %). Thirty-Five patients (51 %) reported feeling palpable indurations (suture knots) on the penis. Temporary numbness of glans penis was described in 3 patients. Overall, 60 patients were very satisfied, 6 satisfied, 2 unsatisfied.

CONCLUSIONCorporeal plication is an effective and durable procedure with a high rate of patient satisfaction.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Penile Erection ; Penis ; abnormalities ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Surgical Procedures, Operative ; Treatment Outcome

INTRODUCTIONAnti-BP180 IgG titres were observed to parallel disease activity in case series of bullous pemphigoid (BP). This study aimed to examine whether anti-BP180 titres are an indicator of disease severity, clinical course and outcome in Asian patients with BP.

MATERIALS AND METHODSThis was a prospective observational study conducted between March 2005 and March 2008 in the Immunodermatology Clinic at the National Skin Centre, Singapore. Disease activity and anti-BP180 IgG titres were measured 4-weekly for 12 weeks and during disease flares and clinical remission. Associations between anti-BP180 titres and disease activity, disease flare, clinical remission and cumulative prednisolone dose were examined.

RESULTSThirty-four patients with newly diagnosed BP were recruited. Median follow-up duration was 3 years. Notable correlations between disease activity and anti-BP180 titres were at baseline (r = 0.51, P = 0.002), and disease flare (r = 0.85, P <0.001). Lower titres at Week 12 were associated with greater likelihood of clinical remission (P = 0.036). Post hoc, patients with anti-BP180 titres above 87.5 U/mL at time of diagnosis who reached remission within 2 years of diagnosis received significantly higher cumulative doses (mg/kg) of prednisolone (median, 72.8; range, 56.5 to 127.1) than those with titres <87.5 U/mL (median, 44.6; range, 32.5 to 80.8); P = 0.025).

CONCLUSIONAnti-BP180 titres may be a useful indicator of disease activity at time of diagnosis and at disease flare. Lower titres at Week 12 may predict greater likelihood of clinical remission. Titres above 87.5 U/mL at time of diagnosis may suggest the need for higher cumulative doses of prednisolone to achieve remission within 2 years.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic ; blood ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Autoantibodies ; blood ; Autoantigens ; blood ; Disease Progression ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Non-Fibrillar Collagens ; blood ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; Pemphigoid, Bullous ; diagnosis ; ethnology ; immunology ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Prospective Studies ; Singapore

During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, practices of gastrointestinal procedures within the digestive tract require special precautions due to the risk of contraction of severe acute respiratoy syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Many procedures in the gastrointestinal motility laboratory may be considered moderate to high-risk for viral transmission. Healthcare staff working in gastrointestinal motility laboratories are frequently exposed to splashes, air droplets, mucus, or saliva during the procedures. Moreover, some are aerosol-generating and thus have a high risk of viral transmission. There are multiple guidelines on the practices of gastrointestinal endoscopy during this pandemic. However, such guidelines are still lacking and urgently needed for the practice of gastrointestinal motility laboratories. Hence, the Asian Neurogastroenterology and Motility Association had organized a group of gastrointestinal motility experts and infectious disease specialists to produce a position statement paper based-on current available evidence and consensus opinion with aims to provide a clear guidance on the practices of gastrointestinal motility laboratories during the COVID-19 pandemic. This guideline covers a wide range of topics on gastrointestinal motility activities from scheduling a motility test, the precautions at different steps of the procedure to disinfection for the safety and well-being of the patients and the healthcare workers. These practices may vary in different countries depending on the stages of the pandemic, local or institutional policy, and the availability of healthcare resources. This guideline is useful when the transmission rate of SARS-CoV-2 is high. It may change rapidly depending on the situation of the epidemic and when new evidence becomes available.