1.Disseminated histoplasmosis presenting as fever and jaundice.
Eric W L WEE ; Seng Gee LIM ; Aileen WEE ; Louis Y A CHAI
Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore 2009;38(8):739-740
Amphotericin B
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therapeutic use
;
Antifungal Agents
;
therapeutic use
;
Fever
;
Histoplasma
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Histoplasmosis
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diagnosis
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drug therapy
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microbiology
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pathology
;
Humans
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Jaundice
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Male
;
Middle Aged
2.Clinics in diagnostic imaging. 159. Jejunal intussusception due to Peutz-Jeghers syndrome.
Vijay KRISHNAN ; Ashish CHAWLA ; Eric WEE ; Wilfred C G PEH
Singapore medical journal 2015;56(2):81-quiz 86
A 21-year-old woman presented with acute onset of upper abdominal pain. A diagnosis of Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS) was made based on the clinical picture of perioral pigmentation with imaging findings of transient jejunojejunal intussusceptions and small bowel polyps, and confirmed by characteristic histopathological appearances of Peutz-Jeghers polyps. PJS is a rare hereditary condition characterised by unique hamartomatous polyps, perioral mucocutaneous pigmentations, and increased susceptibility to gastrointestinal and extraintestinal neoplasms. Patients usually present with recurrent abdominal pain due to intussusception caused by polyps. Other modes of presentations include rectal bleeding and melaena. We describe the imaging findings of PJS and provide a brief review of bowel polyposis syndromes. The latter are relatively rare disorders characterised by multiple polyps in the large or small intestine, with associated risk of malignancies and other extraintestinal manifestations. Awareness of the manifestations and early diagnosis of these syndromes is crucial to prevent further complications.
Abdominal Pain
;
Adult
;
Barium
;
chemistry
;
Diagnostic Imaging
;
methods
;
Female
;
Humans
;
Intussusception
;
diagnosis
;
diagnostic imaging
;
pathology
;
Jejunum
;
diagnostic imaging
;
pathology
;
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
;
Male
;
Middle Aged
;
Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome
;
diagnosis
;
diagnostic imaging
;
pathology
;
Polyps
;
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
;
Young Adult
3.Clinics in diagnostic imaging. 158. Duodenal ectopic pancreas.
Manickam SUBRAMANIAN ; Eric WEE ; Vijayadwaja DESAI ; Wilfred C G PEH
Singapore medical journal 2014;55(12):629-quiz 633
A 46-year-old man presented with right loin tenderness following a road traffic accident. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging showed a well-defined, smooth, enhancing oval lesion in the wall of the first part of the duodenum. The lesion was seen separately from the normal pancreas. It showed attenuation, intensity and enhancement similar to that of normal pancreas. Based on the imaging appearance, a diagnosis of ectopic pancreas was made. The patient underwent oesophagogastroduodenoscopy, endoscopic ultrasonography and fine-needle aspiration cytology of the lesion, which confirmed ectopic pancreatic tissue. Since the patient was asymptomatic, surgical resection was deferred. The embryologic origin, various locations, imaging appearance and clinical significance of ectopic pancreas are discussed.
Accidents, Traffic
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Choristoma
;
congenital
;
diagnosis
;
surgery
;
Contrast Media
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Duodenal Diseases
;
congenital
;
diagnosis
;
surgery
;
Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration
;
Humans
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Male
;
Middle Aged
;
Pancreas
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Tomography, X-Ray Computed
;
methods
4.Reliability and Validity of the English-, Chinese- and Malay-Language Versions of the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) Questionnaire in Singapore.
Yin Bun CHEUNG ; Khung Keong YEO ; Kok Joon CHONG ; Eric Yh KHOO ; Hwee Lin WEE
Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore 2017;46(12):461-469
INTRODUCTIONThe World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaire is a 26-item questionnaire that evaluates 4 domains of quality of life (QoL), namely Physical, Psychological, Social Relationships and Environment. This study aimed to evaluate the validity and reliability of the WHOQOL-BREF among Singapore residents aged 21 and above.
MATERIALS AND METHODSWe recruited participants from the general population by using multistage cluster sampling and participants from 2 hospitals by using convenience sampling. Participants completed either English, Chinese or Malay versions of the WHOQOL-BREF and the EuroQoL 5 Dimension 5 Levels (EQ-5D-5L) questionnaires. Confirmatory factor analysis, known-group validity, internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) and test-retest reliability using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were performed.
RESULTSData from 1316 participants were analysed (Chinese: 46.9%, Malay: 41.0% and Indian: 11.7%; 57.5% mean, mean standard deviation [SD, range] age: 51.9 [15.68, 24 to 90] years); 154 participants took part in the retest in various languages (English: 60, Chinese: 49 and Malay: 45). Tucker-Lewis Index (TLI) was 0.919, 0.913 and 0.909 for the English, Chinese and Malay versions, respectively. Cronbach's alpha exceeded 0.7 and ICC exceeded 0.4 for all domains in all language versions.
CONCLUSIONThe WHOQOL-BREF is valid and reliable for assessing QoL in Singapore. Model fit is reasonable with room for improvement.
5.Nineteen-year experience of paediatric renal transplantation in Singapore.
Kar Hui NG ; Pramod SHRESTHA ; Eric ARAGON ; Yew Weng LAU ; Wee Song YEO ; Yiong Huak CHAN ; Prabhakaran KRISHNAN ; Hui Kim YAP
Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore 2009;38(4):300-309
INTRODUCTIONRenal transplantation is the treatment of choice for children with end-stage renal failure (ESRF). The paediatric renal transplant programme in Singapore was initiated in 1989. This study aimed to examine our outcomes over the 19-year period from 1989 to 2007.
MATERIALS AND METHODSA total of 38 renal transplants were performed at our centre. Another 4 patients with overseas transplants who returned within 3 weeks post-transplant were included. The proportion of living donor (LD) transplants was 61.9%. Structural abnormalities and glomerulopathies were the most common aetiologies comprising 33% each. Median age at transplant was 13.9 years and median waiting time was 2.2 years. LD transplant recipients were younger and had a shorter waiting time than deceased donor (DD) recipients.
RESULTSOverall patient survival rates were 95%, 92%, 86% and 86% at 1, 5, 10 and 15 years, respectively. There were 4 deaths, of which 3 were due to infections. Graft survival rates at 1, 5, 10 and 15 years for LD and DD transplants were 100%, 89.5%, 67.3%, 67.3% and 80.8%, 56.5%, 42.2%, 28.3% respectively, and were significantly higher in LD transplants. The main cause of graft loss was rejection following non-adherence. Multivariate analysis showed male gender, late acute rejections and acute tubular necrosis as predictors of graft failure. There was a high incidence of early bacterial infections (42.9%) and cytomegalovirus disease (16.7%).
CONCLUSIONOur graft survival rates for LD transplants were comparable to North American rates, although our DD transplant rates were slightly worse, probably a reflection of the prevailing transplant policies.
Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Graft Survival ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; surgery ; Kidney Transplantation ; utilization ; Living Donors ; supply & distribution ; Male ; Multivariate Analysis ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; trends ; Postoperative Complications ; epidemiology ; Singapore ; epidemiology ; Survival Analysis ; Young Adult
6.Diabetes Health Profile-18 is Reliable, Valid and Sensitive in Singapore.
Maudrene Ls TAN ; Eric Yh KHOO ; Konstadina GRIVA ; Yung Seng LEE ; Mohamed AMIR ; Yasmin Lm ZUNIGA ; Jeannette LEE ; E Shyong TAI ; Hwee Lin WEE
Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore 2016;45(9):383-393
INTRODUCTIONThe Diabetes Health Profile-18 (DHP-18) measures diabetes-related psychological well-being in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). It includes 3 subscales: psychological distress (PD), barriers to activity and disinhibited eating. The psychometric properties of the DHP have not been evaluated in Asia. The aim of this study was to determine the psychometric properties of the DHP in multiethnic Singapore.
MATERIALS AND METHODSPatients between the ages of 18 to 65 diagnosed with diabetes (either type 1 or type 2) for at least 1 year were recruited from a diabetes outpatient clinic in a tertiary hospital. They completed a set of self-administered questionnaires including sociodemographic information and the DHP. Validity of the DHP was evaluated using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and exploratory factor analysis (EFA). Reliability was assessed with internal consistency and sensitivity was determined by effect size, associated with detecting a statistically significant and clinically important difference between various patient subgroups.
RESULTSA total of 204 patients with mean age 45.4 (11.9) years, comprising 64% males and 50% Chinese, 27% Indian and 12% Malay were studied. In CFA, model fit was poor. Forced 3-factor EFA supported the original 3-factor structure of the DHP. Convergent and discriminant validity was demonstrated (100% scaling success). DHP was sensitive across majority of social demographic, clinical and social-functioning determinants (i.e., effect size >0.3). Cronbach's alpha exceeded 0.70 for all subscales. Ceiling effects were negligible but large floor effects were seen for the PD subscale (23%).
CONCLUSIONThe DHP is valid, reliable and sensitive for measuring well-being in Asian patients with T2DM.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 ; psychology ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; psychology ; Emotional Adjustment ; Ethnic Groups ; psychology ; statistics & numerical data ; Factor Analysis, Statistical ; Feeding Behavior ; psychology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Psychological Tests ; Psychometrics ; Reproducibility of Results ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Singapore ; Stress, Psychological ; diagnosis ; etiology ; psychology ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Young Adult
7.Initial experience of subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillators in Singapore: a case series and review of the literature.
Tien Siang Eric LIM ; Boon Yew TAN ; Kah Leng HO ; Chuh Yih Paul LIM ; Wee Siong TEO ; Chi-Keong CHING
Singapore medical journal 2015;56(10):580-585
Transvenous implantable cardioverter defibrillators are a type of implantable cardiac device. They are effective at reducing total and arrhythmic mortality in patients at risk of sudden cardiac death. Subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillators (S-ICDs) are a new alternative that avoids the disadvantages of transvenous lead placement. In this case series, we report on the initial feasibility and safety of S-ICD implantation in Singapore.
Adult
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Death, Sudden, Cardiac
;
prevention & control
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Defibrillators, Implantable
;
statistics & numerical data
;
Electrophysiology
;
Follow-Up Studies
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Humans
;
Male
;
Middle Aged
;
Patient Safety
;
Prosthesis Implantation
;
Singapore
;
Tachycardia, Ventricular
;
Ventricular Fibrillation
8.Remote monitoring of patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices: a Southeast Asian, single-centre pilot study.
Paul Chun Yih LIM ; Audry Shan Yin LEE ; Kelvin Chi Ming CHUA ; Eric Tien Siang LIM ; Daniel Thuan Tee CHONG ; Boon Yew TAN ; Kah Leng HO ; Wee Siong TEO ; Chi Keong CHING
Singapore medical journal 2016;57(7):372-377
INTRODUCTIONRemote monitoring of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED) has been shown to improve patient safety and reduce in-office visits. We report our experience with remote monitoring via the Medtronic CareLink(®) network.
METHODSPatients were followed up for six months with scheduled monthly remote monitoring transmissions in addition to routine in-office checks. The efficacy of remote monitoring was evaluated by recording compliance to transmissions, number of device alerts requiring intervention and time from transmission to review. Questionnaires were administered to evaluate the experiences of patients, physicians and medical technicians.
RESULTSA total of 57 patients were enrolled; 16 (28.1%) had permanent pacemakers, 34 (59.6%) had implantable cardioverter defibrillators and 7 (12.3%) had cardiac resynchronisation therapy defibrillators. Overall, of 334 remote transmissions scheduled, 73.7% were on time, 14.5% were overdue and 11.8% were missed. 84.6% of wireless transmissions were on time, compared to 53.8% of non-wireless transmissions. Among all transmissions, 4.4% contained alerts for which physicians were informed and only 1.8% required intervention. 98.6% of remote transmissions were reviewed by the second working day. 73.2% of patients preferred remote monitoring. Physicians agreed that remote transmissions provided information equivalent to in-office checks 97.1% of the time. 77.8% of medical technicians felt that remote monitoring would help the hospital improve patient management. No adverse events were reported.
CONCLUSIONRemote monitoring of CIED is safe and feasible. It has possible benefits to patient safety through earlier detection of arrhythmias or device malfunction, permitting earlier intervention. Wireless remote monitoring, in particular, may improve compliance to device monitoring. Patients may prefer remote monitoring due to possible improvements in quality of life.
Aged ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; diagnosis ; Defibrillators, Implantable ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Monitoring, Physiologic ; methods ; Pacemaker, Artificial ; Patient Safety ; Pilot Projects ; Prospective Studies ; Quality of Life ; Remote Consultation ; methods ; Singapore ; Surveys and Questionnaires