1.The impact of leprosy on quality of life
Mazlin MB ; Norazirah MN ; Leelavathi M ; Yap BB ; Asmah J
Malaysian Journal of Dermatology 2011;27(-):28-28
Background
Leprosy is often complicated by deformities, disabilities and intermittent hypersensitivity reactions. In the course of management, the physical impact of this disease is often assessed thoroughly but its psychological impact and quality of life is often left unaddressed.
Objective
To assess the effect of leprosy on the quality of life (QOL) among our patients.
Methods
This cross sectional study was conducted on patients diagnosed with leprosy in Kuala Lumpur Hospital. The patients were interviewed using World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment - abbreviated version (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaire which consists of 26 questions exploring four domains: physical, psychological, social relationships and environmental. Patient’s perception towards diagnosis was also assessed.
Results
Out of the 26 respondents, 19 (73.1%) were males and 7 females with the mean age of 41 years. 84.6% were of Malay
descent and 14 (53.8%) patients were foreigners. Twenty three patients (88.5%) were diagnosed multibacillary and 3 (11.5%) had paucibacillary leprosy. Mean QOL scores by domains were: physical 13.0, psychological 12.5, social relationships 13.4 and environmental 14.2. The mean total QOL score among males were 52.9 and 54 for females but the difference was not statistically significant. Fear was the commonest reaction to initial diagnosis.
Conclusion
Quality of life is reduced among our patients with leprosy. Early detection and treatment can prevent deformities and disabilities but the importance of incorporating counselling and patient education in overall management cannot be overemphasized.
2.Lichen Planus And Hepatitis C Infection : Exploring The Association Among Malaysian Patients
Norazirah MN ; Mazlin MB ; Adawiyah J ; Asmah J
Malaysian Journal of Dermatology 2013;31(-):8-12
Background: The association between chronic hepatitis C infection with lichen planus (LP) remains
controversial. Geographical and immunogenetic factors may play a role in this association.
Objectives: We sought to compare the prevalence of hepatitis C in patients with LP with healthy blood
donors at our centre.
Materials & Methods: We conducted a retrospective study in Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. All
patients with biopsy- proven LP who had undergone hepatitis C serology screening from January 2007
to June 2012 were recruited. The prevalence of Hepatitis C seropositivity among healthy blood donors
in Malaysia was used as comparison.
Results: Thirty five patients with LP were included in the study. Majority of the patients were Indians
(71.4%) followed by Malays (14.3%), Chinese (8.6%) and other ethnicity (5.7%). 82.6% of patients
had classical cutaneous LP out of which 17% had oral involvement. Anti-HCV was reactive in 2.9%
patients. Among the healthy blood donors, anti-HCV was positive in 1.5% of patients. There was no
significant difference between the prevalence of hepatitis C seropositivity between the two groups
(p=0.431).
Conclusion: There is no significant association between chronic hepatitis C infection and LP among
our patients. We recommend screening for hepatitis C in LP patients should be limited to those with
risk factors.
3.Dermatological Diseases Among Octogenarians In A Tertiary Center
Low DW ; Adawiyah J ; Norazirah MN ; Leelavathi M
Malaysian Journal of Dermatology 2016;37(-):17-22
Introduction: Our country is fast becoming a developed country with improved life expectancy. The
healthcare system should be prepared to manage medical conditions which are prevalent in the older
age group. Skin diseases are commonly observed in the geriatric population. We seek to characterize
the dermatological conditions affecting patients at the extremes of age.
Methods: To determine the types of dermatological diseases affecting patients over 80 years of age,
and to determine their clinical characteristics and comorbidities.
Objectives: Subjects with photodamage were older, and had lower education and employment rates
compared to subjects without photodamage. There was no significant difference in knowledge on the
harmful effects of sun exposure and on sun protection or in sun avoidance behaviour (other than use
of protective sunglasses) between the two groups, though more patients with photodamage felt that
they take adequate sun protection measures. Of note, only a low percentage of subjects in both groups
(24.5% of subjects with photodamage and 23.1% of subjects without photodamage) practise regular
use of sunscreen.
Methods: This was a retrospective study conducted at the Dermatology Unit, University Kebangsaan
Malaysia Medical Center (UKMMC). All patients aged ≥80 years who attended the Dermatology
Clinic UKMMC in 2015 were identified from the clinic database. Their clinical notes were reviewed.
Demography, clinical characteristics and dermatological diagnosis were recorded and analyzed using
SPSS Version 22.
Results: One hundred and three octogenarians were included in the study. Fifty one (49.5%) were
females, and 52 (50.5%) were males. The age ranged from 80 to 89 years. The majority were Chinese,
76 (73.8%), 16 (15.5%) were Malays, 6 (5.8%) were Indians and remaining 5 (4.9%) were of other
ethnicities. The most commonly seen diseases were endogenous eczema 46 (44.7%), cutaneous
malignancy 10 (9.7%), psoriasis 8 (7.8%), bullous pemphigoid 7 (6.8%) and fungal infection 6 (5.8%).
More than half of patients [25 (24.3%)] with endogenous eczema had unclassified eczema. Other
conditions were seborrheic keratosis 5 (4.9%), adverse drug eruption 5 (4.9%), viral infections 4
(3.9%) and lichen amyloidosis 3 (2.9%). Comorbidities of the patients were 48 (46.6%) hypertension,
29 (28.2%) diabetes, 25 (24.3%) atherosclerosis related disease, 22 (21.4%) dyslipidemia, 9 (8.7%)
chronic lung disease and 9 (8.7%) non-skin malignancy.Conclusions: Eczema is very common in
elderly patients. In the majority of patients the
clinical features of eczema are often not typical
of endogenous eczema subtypes. We propose
the term senectus eczema as a diagnosis,
however its clinical characteristics has yet to
be clearly delineated. Skin cancers, psoriasis,
bullous pemphigoid, fungal infections, drug
eruption and viral infection are other conditions
which should not be missed in assessing these
patients.