1.Leprosy in Pregnancy: A Case Series in 4 Dermatology Clinics in Malaysia
Ken Chen LOH ; Min Moon TANG ; Wooi Chiang TAN ; Lee Chin CHAN ; Sook Yee Michelle Voo ; Suganthi THEVARAJAH
Malaysian Journal of Dermatology 2018;40(June):41-48
IntroductionManagement of leprosy in pregnancy is challenging. Here we aim to describe the clinical characteristicsand the management of leprosy in pregnancy.MethodsThis is a retrospective study on pregnant women with leprosy managed in the Department ofDermatology in Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Hospital Pulau Pinang, Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah andHospital Queen Elizabeth between 1994 and 2015.ResultsThere were ten patients with 12 pregnancies with a median age of 27.5 years (range: 16-33). Fivewere foreigners. There were four cases of lepromatous leprosy, two cases of borderline lepromatous,two cases borderline tuberculoid leprosy and one case each for tuberculoid and mid borderline leprosy.Seven pregnancies (58%) were documented to have reactions. Four reversal reactions (33%), threeerythema nodusom leprosum (25%) and two Lucio’s phenomenon (17%) were documented. Bothpatients with Lucio’s phenomenon had undiagnosed leprosy and presented with preterm labour,anemia, oligohydramnios and intrauterine growth restriction. Mortality was recorded in one patientdue to dapsone induced hypersensitivity syndrome complicated with septicaemia. All patients wereprescribed multidrug therapy but in three pregnancies, the patients chose to defer the treatment. Therewas a spontaneous miscarriage at second trimester and a case of early neonatal death. The neonatalcomplications recorded for the 10 live deliveries were low birth weight, jaundice and clofazimineinducedhyperpigmentation.ConclusionThe majority of our patients with leprosy had complications throughout the pregnancies. Earlydetection and prompt treatment can prevent unfavorable fetal outcome & threatened maternal health.
2.Perceptions and psychosocial judgement of patients with acne vulgaris
Ken Chen Loh ; Lee Chin Chan ; Phang Lay Fang
The Medical Journal of Malaysia 2020;75(1):18-23
Introduction: People often judge others and make decisions
based on the physical appearance of an individual. This
study assesses the perception and psychosocial judgment
on patients with acne vulgaris compared to those with clear
skin.
Methods: This survey was conducted in Penang from
October 2016 to June 2017. Respondents were those who
were ≥18 years. The survey was conducted using a
questionnaire which consists of three randomly selected
facial pictures, with at least one acne skin and one clear skin
picture.
Results: A total of 435 respondents were recruited. Two third
of the respondents (76%) suffered or had suffered from
acne. The skin was the first thing noticed by 76.1%
respondents when viewing pictures with acne compared
with 24.8% with clear skin (p <0.05). People with acne were
perceived as being unattractive, sad, lonely, distant,
unhealthy, disheveled and shy as compared to people with
clear skin (p<0.05). People with clear skin were perceived to
be healthier, confident, happy, attractive, successful and
intelligent (p<0.05). Respondents were more willing to
engage socially with people with clear skin rather than those
with acne skin. A significantly higher proportion of
respondents were likely to hire or vote for those with clear
skin as compared to acne skin. People with acne were also
perceived to have a lower educational level and poorer
leadership quality.
Conclusion: The results of this survey showed that there
were significantly negative perception and psychological
judgement toward individuals with acne vulgaris. These
negative impacts may affect social life of the acne sufferers,
their prospect of employment and career opportunities.
Acne
;
perception
;
psychosocial judgement