1.Characteristics and factors associated with severity of COVID-19 infections in primary care
Jazlan Jamaluddin ; Yeow Siong Lee ; Bee Kiau Ho
Malaysian Family Physician 2023;18():1-12
Introduction: Primary care service plays a vital role in early clinical assessment of patients with
COVID-19 in Malaysia. is study aimed to evaluate the potential risk factors of COVID-19 severity
at presentation to primary care facilities in the post-vaccination period.
Methods: Clinical records from the Selangkah system of all patients with COVID-19 aged above
18 years seen at COVID-19 assessment centres located in 10 government health clinics in Gombak
district, Selangor, from 1 October to 31 December 2021 with complete documentation and
outcomes were retrieved. Demographics, comorbidities, clinical features and vaccination statuses and
types were retrospectively evaluated. e variables were compared between mild and severe diseases.
Univariate and multivariable logistic regressions were used to identify the factors aecting disease
severity.
Results: A total of 4406 patients (median age=37 years, men=51.2%) were analysed. Approximately
97.1% of the cases were mild, while 2.9% were severe. Fever, diculty breathing, lethargy, throat
irritation/runny nose, oxygen saturation of <95%, respiratory rate of >20 breaths per minute,
CoronaVac vaccination and hypertension were the determinants of severity (P<0.05).
Conclusion: e high proportion (97.1%) of mild cases in this study compared with an earlier report
(81.8%) during the pre-vaccination period may suggest the impact of vaccine, as 84.9% of this cohort
was fully vaccinated. Our study also demonstrated a signicant dierence in COVID-19 severity
between the vaccine types. e identied clinical features and comorbidities could assist primary
care doctors in stratifying patients with COVID-19 judiciously in terms of hospital referral or home
quarantine.
2.TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE - An adult with a finger mass – is it benign or malignant?
Jazlan Jamaluddin ; Yeow Siong Siong
Malaysian Family Physician 2022;17(3):153-155
We described the case of a 42-year-old man who presented with left index finger mass persisting for 6 months. The mass was small and, painless and had gradually increased in size with limited finger flexion. Physical examination showed a firm mass over the volar surface of the left index finger. There was no tenderness, redness, warmth or punctum. The overlying skin was normal, and the mass did not transilluminate. Further examination of the head and neck, chest, upper limbs and neurovascular system revealed normal findings. No similar masses were found elsewhere in the body. Bedside ultrasound with further investigation and management confirmed the suspected diagnosis.
Fingers
;
Soft Tissue Neoplasms
;
Neoplasms


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