1.One-hour OGTT reveals what conventional screening misses: A hidden prediabetes burden in Malaysia
Gerard Jason Mathews ; Seetha Devi Subramanian ; Nor Shaffinaz Yusoff Azmi Merican ; Shartiyah Ismail ; Joel Mathews ; Leng Ean Charis Kong ; Chong Hui Khaw ; Shubash Shander Ganapathy ; Arvinder-Singh HS
Journal of the ASEAN Federation of Endocrine Societies 2026;41(S1):1-
Introduction:
Prediabetes or intermediate hyperglycemia (IH) represents a critical phase in the trajectory toward type 2 diabetes mellitus
(T2DM). Recent evidence from the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) suggests that 1-hour OGTT (1HOGTT) ≥8.6
mmol/L is a more sensitive biomarker for early beta-cell dysfunction, with enhanced detection of IH and future T2DM
risk. Conventional screening using hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) or 2-Hour OGTT (2HOGTT) may delay identification
of prediabetes, narrowing the window for early intervention. This study evaluates 1HOGTT as a screening tool for
prediabetes among Malaysians.
Methodology:
This cross-sectional study enrolled adults without prior T2DM or prediabetes. Participants underwent 1HOGTT, 2HOGTT,
and HbA1c, classified as per the Malaysian Clinical Practice Guideline for T2DM (6th Edition) and IDF 2024 criteria.
Agreement between tests was assessed using McNemar’s test and Cohen’s kappa. Diagnostic accuracy was evaluated
via receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Cost-effectiveness was determined using reagent cost only.
Results:
The majority of the 310 participants were female (71.6%), Malay (87.1%), with average age of 40. The 1HOGTT identified
prediabetes in 21.6% (n = 67) compared to 17.1% (n = 53) by HbA1c and 2.6% (n = 8) by 2HOGTT. McNemar’s test confirmed
statistically significant discordance between 1HOGTT and 2HOGTT (chi-square = 53.397, p <0.001): 61 participants were
prediabetic by 1HOGTT but normal by 2HOGTT, versus only 2 in the reverse direction. No significant discordance was
found between 1HOGTT and HbA1c (chi-square = 2.817, p = 0.093). 1HOGTT demonstrated excellent discriminatory
ability against 2HOGTT (AUC = 0.908; 95% CI: 0.837–0.978), significantly outperforming HbA1c (AUC = 0.664; CI: 0.462–
0.867; DeLong p = 0.012). In a population-level cost analysis, 1HOGTT achieved lowest cost per prediabetes case detected
(RM 5.79) – approximately 8.3 times and 8.1 times more cost-effective than 2HOGTT (RM 48.08) and HbA1c (RM 46.78)
respectively.
Conclusion
1HOGTT identifies a significant proportion of individuals with prediabetes missed by 2HOGTT and HbA1c. Incorporating 1HOGTT enhances the detection of prediabetes, is cost-effective, and enables timely preventive measures in our
population with high diabetes burden.
Glucose Tolerance Test
;
Glycated Hemoglobin
;
Prediabetic State
2.Clinical Utility of Modified Asian FINDRISC and Random Capillary Blood Glucose for the Detection of Dysglycemia in the Adult Population
Jie En Tan ; Nor Shaffinaz Yusoff Azmi Merican ; Florence Hui Sieng Tan
Journal of the ASEAN Federation of Endocrine Societies 2026;41(S1):34-
Introduction:
Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a major healthcare problem
worldwide, yet high percentage of patients are undiagnosed. There is a dire need for effective screening strategies.
We examine the use of modified Asian FINDRISC
(M-FINDRISC) and POCT random capillary blood glucose
(rCBG) for the detection of dysglycemia
Methodology:
This cross-sectional, observational study included 151
adults aged ≥30 years without a prior history of diabetes
in healthcare and community settings. Hemoglobin A1c
of ≥6.3% was used for the diagnosis of diabetes, and 5.7–
6.2% for prediabetes. Areas under the receiver operating
curve (ROC-AUC) for M-FINDRISC were analyzed.
The sensitivity and specificity of the combined use of
M-FINDRISC and rCBG for the detection of dysglycemia
were evaluated.
Results:
The mean age of the participants was 44.6 ± 11.0 years.
They had high body mass index (27.8 ± 4.9 kg/m²). Most
were sedentary (only 25.2% reported physical activities
of ≥30 min/day). A total of 52.3% had first-degree
relatives with diabetes, but less than 12% were taking
antihypertensive medication. Out of 151 participants, 3.3%
(n = 5) were diagnosed with diabetes mellitus and 37.7%
(n = 57) with prediabetes, giving an overall prevalence of
41.1% for dysglycemia. The mean age of participants with
dysglycemia was significantly older (47.9 vs. 42.3 years,
p-value 0.002). Other parameters were not statistically
different for the two groups. Mean M-FINDRISC score was
9.7 ± 3.9 in the normal and 10.8 ± 4.0 in the dysglycemic
group, while rCBG was 6.4 ± 1.1 mmol/L and 7.1 ± 3.1
mmol/L, respectively. ROC-AUC of M-FINDRISC for
dysglycemia was 0.561. A combined screening strategy
(M-FINDRISC score ≥7.5 and CBG ≥7.8 mmol/L) yielded
high specificity (89.9%) but low sensitivity (17.7%) for
dysglycemia.
Conclusion
While the combined screening strategy utilizing
M-FINDRISC and POCT random CBG improves specificity, M-FINDRISC showed limited predictive value for
dysglycemia in this specific cohort, making it a less ideal
tool for screening.
3.The Calcium Chase: Unmasking Parathyroid Carcinoma with Concurrent Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma
Fatin Liyana Binti Shahabudin ; Nur Nisrina Binti Yahya ; Nor Shaffinaz Yusoff Azmi Merican ; Shartiyah Ismail
Journal of the ASEAN Federation of Endocrine Societies 2026;41(S1):72-
Introduction:
Parathyroid carcinoma is a rare endocrine malignancy found
in 1–5% of patients with primary hyperparathyroidism.
It commonly presents with severe hypercalcemia and markedly elevated parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels.
We report a challenging case of parathyroid carcinoma
presenting with refractory hypercalcemia with incidental
papillary thyroid microcarcinoma.
Case:
A 63-year-old female with hypertension, diabetes mellitus,
dyslipidemia, and ischemic heart disease had been followed
for primary hyperparathyroidism since 2014 (PTH5.5
pmol/L, calcium range 2.3–4.7 mmol/L). Initial neck
ultrasound was suggestive of parathyroid adenoma over
left side, but parathyroid scintigraphy failed to localize
a lesion. She refused surgical intervention initially until
April 2025, then she later agreed. Re-evaluation prior to
operation revealed PTH level 76 pmol/L, and repeated
parathyroid scintigraphy showed mild sestamibi avid
uptake on left thyroid nodule. While awaiting surgery, she
was admitted with a hypercalcemic crisis (serum calcium
3.7–5.38 mmol/L), complicated with acute kidney injury.
Repeated ultrasound neck revealed extrathyroidal lesion
adjacent to inferior pole of left thyroid (1.6 × 1.7 × 1.2 cm).
She required aggressive intravenous hydration, intravenous
pamidronate, calcitonin, and Denosumab to optimize her
calcium level peri-operatively. She underwent left neck
exploration with en-bloc left inferior parathyroidectomy,
left hemithyroidectomy, and central neck dissection in
November 2025. Histopathological examination confirmed
parathyroid carcinoma (pT3N1) with nodal metastasis (1/4
lymph nodes positive) and an incidental papillary thyroid
microcarcinoma measuring 1 mm (pT1a).
Conclusion
This case highlights the challenges of perioperative hypercalcemia management in parathyroid carcinoma. Effective
preoperative control often requires multiple treatment
modalities. Severe refractory hypercalcemia and high PTH
level should raise a high index of suspicion for malignancy.
Early complete resection is the cornerstone of treatment and
is associated with optimal outcomes.
Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma
;
Calcium
;
Parathyroid Neoplasms
4.A Silent Interval with Aggressive Return: Metastatic SDHB-Mutated Mediastinal Paraganglioma
Seetha Devi Subramanian ; Nor Shaffinaz Yusoff Azmi Merican ; Shartiyah Ismail
Journal of the ASEAN Federation of Endocrine Societies 2026;41(S1):86-87
Introduction:
Mediastinal paragangliomas (PGLs) are extremely rare
extra-adrenal neuroendocrine tumors, accounting for
approximately 2% of all PGLs and commonly associated
with pathogenic germline variants (PGVs), particularly
those involving succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) mutations.
Case:
We report a 35-year-old female presenting with chronic
cough and hemoptysis, accompanied by paroxysmal
symptoms and new-onset hypertension. She had a history
of pheochromocytoma treated 15 years earlier with right
adrenalectomy and liver lobectomy due to intraoperative
adrenal adherence to the liver. Histopathology confirmed
adrenal pheochromocytoma, with no evidence of PGL in the
liver. She remained in biochemical remission for 3 years but
subsequently defaulted. Biochemical evaluation revealed
markedly elevated 24-hour urinary normetanephrine
(58,950 nmol/L; ~26-fold increase). Computed tomography
of the thorax demonstrated a mediastinal mass compressing
the right bronchus, resulting in luminal narrowing and
segmental lung collapse. Endobronchial biopsy confirmed
PGL (Ki-67 index 5%). Functional imaging with DOTATATE,
FDG-PET, and MIBG demonstrated metastatic disease
involving the lungs and lymph nodes. Genetic testing
identified a heterozygous pathogenic SDHB mutation
(c.79C>T; p.Arg27), consistent with autosomal dominant
hereditary PGL-pheochromocytoma syndrome; family
screening confirmed the same mutation in her father and
two siblings. She underwent two sessions of bronchoscopic
intervention, including cryoablation, balloon dilation, argon
plasma coagulation, and intratumoral alcohol injection
for airway control and hemoptysis. Multidisciplinary
evaluation deemed complete surgical resection high risk
and not feasible; therefore, peptide receptor radionuclide
therapy was initiated.
Conclusion
This case demonstrates the aggressive and metastatic
nature of SDHB-mutated PGLs. This group of patients
require long term surveillance given the risk of developing
new tumors even years or decades after primary tumor
resection. It highlights the importance of genetic testing
following pheochromocytoma surgery to guide targeted
therapy, lifelong surveillance, and family screening within
a multidisciplinary care approach.
Paraganglioma
5.Management of prediabetes in Malaysian population: An experts’ opinion
Mafauzy Mohamed ; Ee Ming Khoo ; Zanariah Hussein ; Nor Shaffinaz Yusoff Azmi ; Guan Jian Siah ; Feisul Idzwan Mustapha ; Noor Lita Adam ; Azhari Rosman ; Beng Tian Lee ; Siew Hui Foo ; Nagammai Thiagarajan ; Nik Mazlina Mohammad ; Kevin Moses ; Hannah Loke
The Medical Journal of Malaysia 2020;75(4):419-427
Introduction: Prediabetes, typically defined as blood glucose
levels above normal but below diabetes thresholds, denotes a
risk state that confers a high chance of developing diabetes.
Asians, particularly the Southeast Asian population, may have
a higher genetic predisposition to diabetes and increased
exposure to environmental and social risk factors. Malaysia
alone was home to 3.4 million people with diabetes in 2017; the
figure is estimated to reach 6.1 million by 2045. Developing
strategies for early interventions to treat prediabetes and
preventing the development of overt diabetes and subsequent
cardiovascular and microvascular complications are therefore
important.
Methods: An expert panel comprising regional experts was
convened in Kuala Lumpur, for a one-day meeting, to develop
a document on prediabetes management in Malaysia. The
expert panel comprised renowned subject-matter experts and
specialists in diabetes and endocrinology, primary-care
physicians, as well as academicians with relevant expertise.
Results: Fifteen key clinical statements were proposed. The
expert panel reached agreements on several important issues
related to the management of prediabetes providing
recommendations on the screening, diagnosis, lifestyle and
pharmacological management of prediabetes. The expert panel
also proposed changes in forthcoming clinical practice
guidelines and suggested that the government should advocate
early screening, detection, and intensive management of
prediabetes.
Conclusion: This document provides a comprehensive
approach to the management of prediabetes in Malaysia in
their daily activities and offer help in improving government
policies and the decision-making process.


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