Diabetes mellitus is common in our increasingly affluent and ageing population. Although it is an old friend of practising family physicians, there is a need to be familiar with and up to date about the disease. As patients become more informed and receptive to current medical information, family physicians also need to stay current. This article highlights the evidences that have shaped our current treatment targets for type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 ; blood ; therapy ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; blood ; therapy ; Family Practice ; methods ; Glycated Hemoglobin A ; metabolism ; Humans ; Physicians, Family

Carotid Artery, Internal ; diagnostic imaging ; Cerebrovascular Disorders ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Extremities ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Ischemic Attack, Transient ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; drug therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Middle Cerebral Artery ; diagnostic imaging ; Thromboembolism ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Transcranial

Carcinoma ; diagnostic imaging ; secondary ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; pathology ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; secondary ; Ultrasonography

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Insomnia is a common complaint in adults. However, large epidemiologic studies of insomnia involving Asian populations are rarely reported. We performed an epidemiologic study of insomnia in a large Korean adult population. METHODS: A total of 5,000 subjects (2,470 men and 2,530 women) were interviewed by telephone. A representative sample of subjects aged 20 to 69 years was constituted according to a stratified, multistage random sampling method. Insomnia was defined as either any difficulty getting to sleep or getting back to sleep after waking in the night. RESULTS: More than one fifth (n=1,141, 22.8%) of the 5,000 subjects complained of insomnia, with the prevalence being significantly higher in women (25.3%) than in men (20.2%, p<0.001). Logistic regression revealed that the prevalence of insomnia increased significantly with age (p<0.001), being higher in those aged 60-69 years than in those aged 20-29 years (OR=2.368, 95% CI=1.762-3.182, p<0.001), and was lower in those with a monthly income of >4.5 million Korean won than in those with an income of <1.5 million Korean won (OR=0.689, 95% CI=0.523-0.906, p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Insomnia is a common complaint in Korean adults, and its prevalence is similar to that in adults in Western countries.
Adult ; Aged ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Prevalence ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders ; Telephone

Anaerobic fermentation of the undigested polysaccharide fraction of carbohydrates produces hydrogen in the intestine which is the substrate for methane production by intestinal methanogens. Hydrogen and methane are excreted in the flatus and in breath giving the opportunity to indirectly measure their production using breath testing. Although methane is detected in 30%-50% of the healthy adult population worldwide, its production has been epidemiologically and clinically associated with constipation related diseases, like constipation predominant irritable bowel syndrome and chronic constipation. While a causative relation is not proven yet, there is strong evidence from animal studies that methane delays intestinal transit, possibly acting as a neuromuscular transmitter. This evidence is further supported by the universal finding that methane production (measured by breath test) is associated with delayed transit time in clinical studies. There is also preliminary evidence that antibiotic reduction of methanogens (as evidenced by reduced methane production) predicts the clinical response in terms of symptomatic improvement in patients with constipation predominant irritable bowel syndrome. However, we have not identified yet the mechanism of action of methane on intestinal motility, and since methane production does not account for all constipation associated cases, there is need for high quality clinical trials to examine methane as a biomarker for the diagnosis or as a biomarker that predicts antibiotic treatment response in patients with constipation related disorders.
Adult ; Animals ; Breath Tests ; Carbohydrates ; Constipation ; Diagnosis ; Fermentation ; Flatulence ; Gastrointestinal Motility* ; Gastroparesis ; Humans ; Hydrogen ; Intestines ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome ; Methane* ; Methanococcus

BACKGROUND/AIMS: In high-resolution manometry lower esophageal sphincter pressure (LESP) is measured relative to intragastric pressure, however Gastric Marker(TM) (GM) location used to determine resting LESP is not well established with hiatal hernia (HH). We test the hypothesis that measured resting LESP varies with HH based on GM location. METHODS: Subjects with HH > or = 2 cm were included. The eSleeve(TM) was adjusted to span only the LES, excluding the crural diaphragm (CD). Resting LESP was determined by placing the GM below and above the CD (in the position yielding the highest resting LESP). Resting pressure across the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) to CD and pressure in the HH relative to subdiaphragmatic intragastric pressure were also measured. RESULTS: HH > or = 2 cm was present in 98 patients (mean length 2.7 cm). LESP decreased when GM was moved from below the CD into the HH: respiratory minimum LESP 7.5 +/- 1.1 to 3.6 +/- 0.9 mmHg; P < 0.001, mean LESP 17.7 +/- 1.3 to 13.7 +/- 1.1 mmHg; P < 0.001. When the eSleeve encompassed the LES and CD, the respiratory minimum pressure was 12.2 +/- 0.9 mmHg and mean pressure was 23.9 +/- 1.0 mmHg pressure (P < 0.001 for both). Pressure in the hernia pouch was greater than intragastric pressure: respiratory minimum 3.0 +/- 0.7 mmHg and mean 9.0 +/- 0.8 mmHg (P < 0.001 for both). pH studies showed a trend toward an association between abnormal distal esophagus acid exposure and lower resting LESP. CONCLUSIONS: GM placement in the HH produces lower resting LESPs. This may provide a more physiologic representation of LESP in HH.
Catheters ; Diaphragm ; Esophageal Sphincter, Lower ; Esophagus ; Gastroesophageal Reflux ; Hernia ; Hernia, Hiatal* ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Manometry

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Recent studies reveal that acute gastroenteritis can precipitate irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms leading to the concept of post-infectious IBS. However, the overall contribution of gastroenteritis to the total IBS prevalence is unknown. In this exercise we try to estimate the contribution of gastroenteritis in IBS using the published literature and a longitudinal approach. METHODS: Existing literature was reviewed to determine the incidence of IBS after gastroenteritis, the rate of remission over time, data on rates of gastroenteritis in a given population and any patterns of resistance to these effects in human populations. This produced 3 models. The first assumed all humans were susceptible to gastroenteritis and its ability to produce IBS. The second assumed (using meta-analysis data) that 90% of humans in a given outbreak would be resistant to this effect. The third model used a high gastroenteritis exposure rate as might be seen in military deployment. RESULTS: In model 1, the prevalence was unrealistically high with an eventual steady state of 43.6% of the population affected by IBS. In a very conservative approach (model 2), steady state was achieved after 10 years to an overall prevalence of 8.9%. Interestingly, based on a high 1 year exposure rate such as military deployment, the maximum prevalence (steady state) was reached before 1 year suggesting high risk. CONCLUSIONS: Although hypothetical in approach, based on conservative estimates in existing literature the contribution of gastroenteritis to the overall prevalence of IBS is substantial.
Gastroenteritis ; Humans ; Incidence ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome ; Military Personnel ; Prevalence

Cardiovascular disease due to atherosclerosis is a leading cause of death around the world, including Singapore. Current treatment strategies primarily target low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels. Low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and high triglyceride (TG) levels have been shown to increase the risk of coronary heart disease, but the clinical benefits of raising low HDL cholesterol have only been proven in a limited number of studies. This guide provides an approach on managing low HDL cholesterol levels in terms of lifestyle modifications and pharmacotherapy.
Coronary Disease ; prevention & control ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Exercise ; Fenofibrate ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Hypertriglyceridemia ; drug therapy ; therapy ; Hypoalphalipoproteinemias ; drug therapy ; therapy ; Hypolipidemic Agents ; administration & dosage ; Life Style ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Simvastatin ; administration & dosage

INTRODUCTIONIntravenous thrombolysis has been shown to improve outcome after acute cerebral infarction if given within 3 hours of symptom onset. There are no data in Singapore on the timing of hospital presentation after acute cerebral infarction as well as factors and reasons for delayed presentation.

MATERIALS AND METHODSAs intravenous thrombolysis has recently been licensed for use in acute cerebral infarction in Singapore, we studied 100 consecutive acute cerebral infarction admitted to the Singapore General Hospital for timing of hospital presentation, reasons associated with delay in presentation and hypothetical acceptance of intravenous thrombolysis.

RESULTSOnly 9% of patients presented to hospital within 2 hours of symptom onset. Factors associated with hospital presentation within 2 hours were a large stroke and lack of pre-hospital consultation. Failure to recognise the severity of symptoms and inability to seek medical attention unaided were the 2 most common reasons for delayed presentation. One-third of patients or their relatives hypothetically would accept intravenous thrombolysis, suggesting that a thrombolysis service is feasible at the Singapore General Hospital. However, it would be hindered by the low proportion of patients who present early to hospital after symptom onset.

CONCLUSIONOur results support the need for a public education programme to highlight the identification of stroke symptoms and the need to present to hospital as soon as possible after the onset of stroke symptoms.

Acute Disease ; Aged ; Cerebral Infarction ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Female ; Fibrinolytic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Infusions, Intravenous ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Patient Acceptance of Health Care ; statistics & numerical data ; Prospective Studies ; Singapore ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome

Comparison of pancreaticoduodenal transplants (PDT) and duct-ligated pancreas transplant (DLPT) were performed using syngeneic and allogeneic studies in rats. Both DLPT and PDT allogeneic grafts showed mild rejection. DLPT groups showed disorganized pathology and acini replaced by fat. Eventually, massive fibrosis was seen in the Islets of Langerhans, as well as rejection cellular infiltrates. In both PDT groups, normal histology was observed in the same period. Thus the effect of duct occlusion is highly detrimental for the grafts.
Animals ; Graft Rejection/pathology ; Ligation/adverse effects ; Pancreas/*pathology ; Pancreas Transplantation/*adverse effects ; Pancreatic Ducts/surgery ; Postoperative Period ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred Lew ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't ; Transplantation, Homologous ; Transplantation, Isogeneic