Sudden cardiac death (SCD) continues to be a major health issue in many countries including Malaysia due to its large magnitude in all-cause mortality as well as the emotional and socioeconomic impact of the deceased leaving the love ones behind in an abrupt manner. Data in Malaysia shows that the majority of sudden natural deaths are due to sudden cardiac death and are in the productive age group of 41 to 50 years. A study in Germany pointed out that about 90% people who died of SCD actually had warning signs such as chest pain, breathlessness, nausea, vomiting, dizziness and fainting before they collapsed. The majority belonged to the high-risk group for SCD having had previous medical histories including coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathies, valvular heart disease, congenital heart disease, underlying electrophysiological abnormalities or are taking drugs which are capable of provoking ventricular tachyarrhythmias. The key step is to define a sequence of risk stratifiers that will identify patients who are at risk but in whom implantation of expensive devices will be cost-effective. Amongst the investigative tools proven to be helpful to achieve this are ECG screening for left ventricular hypertrophy, increased QRS width, T-wave alternans, heart rate variability, baroreceptor responsiveness, QT dispersion, and T-wave heterogeneity; Holter monitoring to demonstrate ventricular arrhythmias; and stress test in identifying ischaemia. Prompt action is crucial since restoring circulation as fast as possible improves the chances of survival. Family members and caregivers of people with heart disease and at increased risk should be trained to recognize symptoms and perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to reduce the likelihood of death from cardiac arrest. Training and prevention efforts should focus on how to recognize the emergency, CPR training, and automated external defibrillator (AED) use. An implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) is the preferred therapeutic modality in most survivors of SCD. The incidence of SCD can be reduced by improving the current situation through selection of high risk groups for initiation of therapies, education to the public awareness of early warning symptoms and early emergency management that should be readily available in the community.
Anemia, Sickle Cell ; Death, Sudden, Cardiac ; Risk ; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation ; symptoms <1>

Adult ; Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hantaan virus ; isolation & purification ; Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Immunoglobulin M ; blood ; Male ; Singapore ; Travel

Fecal occult blood test (FOBT) screening has been shown to decrease the incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer (CRC). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of the immunochemical fecal occult blood test (i-FOBT) in diagnosing CRC were assessed among the patients in a tertiary referral hospital in Malaysia. A total sample of 814 patients aged 16 to 85 years old who performed i-FOBT and endoscopic screenings was obtained. The patients were recruited for a retrospective investigation. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV were derived for the CRC screenees. Out of the 814 patients screened using i-FOBT, half of them were above 59 years old (49.6%), and 36% had positive i-FOBT. Gender distribution was almost equal, where 53.4% of the patients were female, and 46.6% were male. Majority of the patients were Malays (56.6%), followed by Chinese (24.0%), Indians (16.5%), and others (2.9%). Among the 71 patients referred for colonoscopy, 57.7% and 42.3% corresponded to positive and negative i-FOBT cases, respectively. Polyps were found to be most common among the patients (25.6%), 7.0% were found positive for invasive CRC, and 35.2% had normal colonoscopic findings. There was a significant association between colonoscopic finding and positive i-FOBT (p=0.001). The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV for CRC detection were 66.7%, 43.0%, 9.8%, and 93.3%, respectively. The results indicate that i-FOBT is a useful tool in the detection of abnormalities in the lower gastrointestinal tract and therefore serves as a cornerstone for potential large-scale screening programmes.

Melkersson-Rosenthal Syndrome (also termed “Miescher-Melkersson-Rosenthal Syndrome”) or (MRS), is a rare neurocutaneous disorder characterized by the clinical triad of recurring facial nerve paralysis, swelling of one or both lips and fissural tongue. We report a patient with Melkersson-Rosenthal Syndrome initially referred to Dermatology Department as angioedema. The diagnosis and treatment procedures were presented with special emphasis to the clinical features of this rare condition.

BACKGROUND: Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) with non-deficient ADAMTS-13 (a disintegrin-like and metalloprotease with thrombospondin type 1 motif 13) outcome is unknown hence the survival analysis correlating with ADAMTS-13 activity is conducted in Malaysia. METHODS: This was a retrospective epidemiological study involving all cases of TMA from 2012–2016. RESULTS: We evaluated 243 patients with a median age of 34.2 years; 57.6% were female. Majority of the patients were Malay (62.5%), followed by Chinese (23.5%) and Indian (8.6%). The proportion of patients with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) was 20.9%, 72.2% of which were acquired while 27.8% were congenital. Patients with ADAMTS-13 activity ≥5% had a four-fold higher odds of mortality compared to those with ADAMTS-13 activity <5% (odds ratio: 4.133, P=0.0425). The mortality rate was 22.6% (N=55). Most cases had secondary etiologies (42.5%), followed by acquired TTP (16.6%), atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) or HUS (12.8%) and congenital TTP (6.4%). Patients with secondary TMA had inferior overall survival (P=0.0387). The secondary causes comprised systemic lupus erythematosus (30%), infection (29%), pregnancy (10%), transplant (8%), malignancy (6%), and drugs (3%). Transplant-associated TMA had the worst OS (P=0.0016) among the secondary causes. Plasma exchange, methylprednisolone and intravenous immunoglobulin were recorded as first-line treatments in 162 patients, while rituximab, bortezomib, vincristine, azathioprine, cyclophosphamide, cyclosporine, and tacrolimus were described in 78 patients as second-line treatment. CONCLUSION: This study showed that TMA without ADAMTS-13 deficiency yielded inferior outcomes compared to TMA with severeADAMTS-13 deficiency, although this difference was not statistically significant.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome ; Azathioprine ; Bortezomib ; Cyclophosphamide ; Cyclosporine ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; Malaysia* ; Methylprednisolone ; Mortality ; Plasma Exchange ; Pregnancy ; Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic ; Retrospective Studies ; Rituximab ; Tacrolimus ; Thrombospondins ; Thrombotic Microangiopathies* ; Vincristine

INTRODUCTIONThis study aims to validate the Zarit Burden Interview as an instrument to measure the level of burden experienced by caregivers of patients with dementia (PWD) in Singapore.

MATERIALS AND METHODSAdult family caregivers of PWD were recruited from the ambulatory dementia clinic of a tertiary hospital and the Alzheimer's Disease Association. All subjects completed a battery of questionnaires which consisted of demographic questions and the following instruments: the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI), Burden Assessment Scale (BAS), General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28), Dementia Management Strategies Scale (DMSS), and the Revised Memory and Behaviour Problems Checklist (RMBPC). A subgroup of subjects also completed the ZBI for the second time 2 weeks after the fi rst survey.

RESULTSA total of 238 subjects completed the survey. As hypothesised, the Zarit burden score was strongly correlated with BAS, GHQ-28, DMSS, and RMBPC scores (Pearson's correlation coefficient: 0.53 to 0.73); caregivers who undertook the major role in caregiving, had spent >1 year in caregiving, or experienced financial problems had higher Zarit burden scores than those who were not main carers, with ≤1 year of caregiving, or reported no/minimal financial problems, respectively. The Cronbach's alpha value for the ZBI items was 0.93; the intra-class correlation coefficient for the test-retest reliability of the Zarit burden score was 0.89 (n = 149).

CONCLUSIONThe results in this study demonstrated that the Zarit Burden Interview is a valid and reliable instrument for measuring the burden of caregivers of PWD in Singapore.

Adult ; Caregivers ; psychology ; Cost of Illness ; Dementia ; nursing ; Female ; Humans ; Interview, Psychological ; methods ; standards ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales ; standards ; Stress, Psychological ; diagnosis ; ethnology

INTRODUCTIONThe aim of this study was to analyse the feasibility, safety and benefits of laparoscopic appendicectomy (LA) in comparison with open appendicectomy (OA) for perforated appendicitis (PA) in children.

MATERIALS AND METHODSA retrospective analysis of all consecutive cases of PA who underwent OA or LA between July 2001 and April 2004 was done. The patient demographics, duration of symptoms and operative findings were noted and the feasibility, safety and benefits of LA were analysed with respect to postoperative recovery and complications.

RESULTSOne hundred and thirty-seven consecutive patients with PA underwent either OA (n = 46) or LA (n = 91). Both groups were comparable with respect to patient demographics, duration of symptoms and operative findings. The mean operative time was 106.5 min (95% CI, 100.2 - 112.8) in the LA group and 92.8 min (95% CI, 82.9-102.7) in the OA group (P = 0.02). The return to afebrile status after surgery was significantly faster in the LA group [mean, 45.4 hours (95% CI, 36.8-54)] than the OA group [mean, 77 hours (95% CI 56.7-97.3)] (P = 0.007). The mean duration for postoperative opioid analgesia was 2.5 days (95% CI, 2.2-2.7) for LA and 3.2 days (95% CI, 2.9- 3.6) for OA (P = 0.001). The resumption of oral feeds after surgery was at 3.1 days (95% CI, 2.8-3.3) for LA and 3.7 days (3.4-4.1) for OA (P = 0.005). The length of the hospital stay was shorter in the LA group [mean, 6.5 days (95% CI, 6.1-6.8)] as compared to that of the OA group [mean, 8.2 days (95% CI, 7.1-9.3)] (P = 0.006). Postoperative complications included wound infection, adhesive intestinal obstruction and pelvic abscess formation. The incidence of these complications was 5.6% in the LA group and 19.6% in the OA group (P = 0.01). Nine patients (9.8%) needed conversion to open surgery in the LA group. None of the LA patients had wound infection.

CONCLUSIONLA is feasible, safe and beneficial in children with PA.

Age Factors ; Appendectomy ; methods ; Appendicitis ; surgery ; Child ; Feasibility Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Male ; Outcome and Process Assessment (Health Care) ; Pilot Projects ; Retrospective Studies ; Safety ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome

INTRODUCTIONThis article aims to provide an overview of the epidemiology, medical and rehabilitation issues, current evidence for traumatic brain injury (TBI) rehabilitation, recent advances and emerging practices. Special TBI population groups will also be addressed.

MATERIALS AND METHODSWe included publications indexed in Medline and the Cochrane Database of Systemic Reviews from 1974 to 2006, relevant chapters in major rehabilitation texts and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinics of North America and accessed Internet publications.

RESULTSTBI has been implicated by the World Health Organisation to be a 21st century epidemic similar to malaria and HIV/AIDS, not restricted to the developed world. One third of patients may suffer severe TBI with long-term cognitive and behavioural disabilities. Injuries to the brain do not only damage the cerebrum but may give rise to a multisystem disorder due to associated injuries in 20% of cases, which can include complex neurological impairments, neuroendocrine and neuromedical complications. There is promising evidence of improved outcome and functional benefits with early induction into a transdisciplinary brain injury rehabilitation programme. However, TBI research is fraught with difficulties because of an intrinsically heterogeneous population due to age, injury severity and type, functional outcome measures and small samples. Recent advances in TBI rehabilitation include task-specific training of cognitive deficits, computer-aided cognitive remediation and visual-spatial and visual scanning techniques and body weight-supported treadmill training for motor deficits. In addition, special rehabilitation issues for mild TBI, TBI-related vegetative states, elderly and young TBI, ethical issues and local data will also be discussed.

Accidents, Traffic ; statistics & numerical data ; Brain Injuries ; complications ; prevention & control ; rehabilitation ; Humans ; Ossification, Heterotopic ; etiology ; Persistent Vegetative State ; rehabilitation ; Prognosis ; Rehabilitation ; methods ; Singapore ; Task Performance and Analysis

Introduction: Individuals who are exposed to cytotoxic agents are at risk of developing therapyrelated myeloid neoplasms (t-MN). Cytogenetic findings of a neoplasm play an important role in stratifying patients into different risk groups and thus predict the response to treatment and overall survival. Case report: A 59-year-old man was diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukaemia. Following this, he underwent all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) based chemotherapy and achieved remission. Four years later, the disease relapsed and he was given idarubicin, mitoxantrone and ATRA followed by maintenance chemotherapy (ATRA, mercaptopurine and methotrexate). He achieved a second remission for the next 11 years. During a follow-up later, his full blood picture showed leucocytosis, anaemia and leucoerythroblastic picture. Bone marrow examination showed hypercellular marrow with trilineage dysplasia, 3% blasts but no abnormal promyelocyte. Fluorescence in-situ hybridisation (FISH) study of the PML/RARA gene was negative. Karyotyping result revealed complex abnormalities and monosomal karyotype (MK). A diagnosis of therapy-related myelodysplastic syndrome/myeloproliferative neoplasm with unfavourable karyotypes and MK was made. The disease progressed rapidly and transformed into therapy-related acute myeloid leukaemia in less than four months, complicated with severe pneumonia. Despite aggressive treatment with antibiotics and chemotherapy, the patient succumbed to the illness two weeks after the diagnosis. Discussion and Conclusion: Diagnosis of t-MN should be suspected in patients with a history of receiving cytotoxic agents. Karyotyping analysis is crucial for risk stratification as MK in addition to complex aberrant karyotypes predicts unfavourable outcome. Further studies are required to address the optimal management for patients with t-MN.

Subcutaneous Panniculitis-like T-cell Lymphoma (SPTL) is a rare cutaneous neoplasm of mature cytotoxic T cells, first described in 1991 by Gonzalez et al. 1 The incidence of SPTL in Asian countries ranges from 2.3% to 3%. In Malaysia, only 5 cases were reported from 2001 to 2004 in Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 2 SPTL typically presents as skincoloured or erythematous subcutaneous nodules, most often on the extremities and trunk, but it can also involve the face, back and neck. Diagnosis of SPTL is made based on correlation of clinical findings and subcutaneous tissue biopsy along with immunohistochemical staining patterns