background: Limited information exists regarding paediatric psoriasis and its association with body mass index (bMI) in Asia. Objectives: to determine the clinico-epidemiological profile and to compare the bMI of children with and without psoriasis. Methods: A case-control study of 92 children with psoriasis versus 59 with atopic eczema and 56 with non-inflammatory skin conditions. results: Psoriasis was more common in Malay and Indian children when compared to Chinese with odds ratios (Or) of 4.30 (95% CI, 1.85-9.99) and 3.00 (95% CI, 1.02-8.81) respectively. Prevalence of psoriasis was similar between Malay and Indian children (Or 1.43, 95% CI, 0.63-3.25). Male:female ratio was 1:1.09. the mean onset age of psoriasis was 7.9 years. Median onset age was earlier in males (6.5 years versus 9.0 years in females, p=0.05). Plaque psoriasis was the most common phenotype (89.1%) and 94.5% had scalp lesions. Arthritis was seen in 4.3%. Odds of excess adiposity, defined as bMI ≥85th percentile, was higher in children with psoriasis versus noninflammatory controls (Or 2.35, 95% CI 0.99-5.56, p= 0.052). No increased risk of adiposity was noted between children with psoriasis and eczema (Or 1.14, 95% CI 0.5-2.62, p=0.753). More children with psoriasis (17.4%) and eczema (20.3%) were underweight (bMI <5th percentile) compared to non-inflammatory controls (10.7%). Conclusion: Malays and Indians are three to four times more likely than Chinese to have psoriasis in multi-ethnic Malaysia. Plaque psoriasis is the most common phenotype. Odds of excess adiposity is about two times higher in children with psoriasis compared to non-inflammatory controls although this observation just missed conventional statistical significance.
Psoriasis

Background: Thalassaemia is a public health burden in Malaysia and its prevention faces many challenges. In this study, we aimed to assess the effectiveness of a web-based educational module in improving knowledge and attitudes about thalassaemia prevention amongst Malaysian young adults. Methods: We designed an interactive web-based educational module in the Malay language wherein videos were combined with text and pictorial visual cues. Malaysians aged 18-40 years old who underwent the module had their knowledge and attitudes assessed at baseline, post-intervention and at 6-month follow-up using a selfadministered validated questionnaire. Results: Sixty-five participants: 47 Malays (72.3%), 15 Chinese (23.1%), three Indians (4.6%) underwent the module. Questionnaires were completed at baseline (n=65), postintervention (n=65) and at 6-month follow-up (n=60). Out of a total knowledge score of 21, significant changes were recorded across three time-points- median scores were 12 at pre-intervention, 19 at post-intervention and 16 at 6-month follow-up (p<0.001). Post-hoc testing comparing preintervention and 6-month follow-up scores showed significant retention of knowledge (p<0.001). Compared to baseline, attitudes at 6-month follow-up showed an increased acceptance for “marriage avoidance between carriers” (pre-intervention 20%, 6-month follow-up 48.3%, p<0.001) and “prenatal diagnosis” (pre-intervention 73.8%, 6-month follow-up 86.2%, p=0.008). Acceptance for selective termination however, remained low without significant change (pre-intervention 6.2%, 6-month follow-up 16.7%, p=0.109). Conclusion: A web-based educational module appears effective in improving knowledge and attitudes towards thalassaemia prevention and its incorporation in thalassaemia prevention programs is potentially useful in Malaysia and countries with a high internet penetration rate.