1.Risk Assessment for Ramadan Fasting in People With Diabetes in Hospital-Based Diabetes Clinics Using the Updated 2026 IDF-DAR Risk Calculator
Raja Nurazni Raja Azwan ; Chin Voon Tong ; Lisa Mohamed Nor ; Marisa Khatijah Borhan ; Syarifah Syahirah Syed Abas ; Poh Shean Wong ; Ying Jie Tan ; Shartiyah Ismail ; Eunice Yi Chwen Lau ; Yueh Chien Kuan ; Noor Hafis Md Tob ; Shu Teng Chai ; Pei Lin Chan ; Xe Hui Lee ; Wei Wei Ng ; Jin Hui Ho ; Miza Hiryanti Zakaria ; Rabeah Md Zuki ; Wan Mohd Hafez Wan Hamzah ; Melissa Vergis ; Choon Peng Sun ; Vanusha Devaraja Pillai ; Chee Koon Low ; Shazatul Reza Mohd Redzuan ; Xin-Yi Ooi ; Siti Sanaa Wan Azman ; Deviga Lachumanan ; Saiful Shahrizal Shudim ; Zanariah Hussein
Journal of the ASEAN Federation of Endocrine Societies 2026;41(S1):42-43
Introduction:
The 2021 IDF-DAR risk calculator had been previously
evaluated in multiple studies and subsequently widely
accepted and applied in clinical practice as a practical
standardized tool for patient risk stratification. Recently
updated, the 2026 IDF-DAR Risk calculator enables a more individualized, evidence-related evaluation of patientrelated and disease-related risk factors, incorporating
modern diabetes technologies, including continuous
glucose monitoring (CGM), automated insulin delivery
(AID) systems, and advanced insulin formulations to
enhance risk stratification. This tool allows medical
professionals to tailor Ramadan practices based on overall
factors toward promoting safe fasting.
Methodology:
This prospective multicentre observational study recruited
adults with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes attending public
hospitals nationwide. People with diabetes (PwD) intending
to perform Ramadan fasting were invited to participate
and assessed using the 2026 IDF-DAR Risk Calculator in
the 6-week pre-Ramadan period between 30th January and
19th March 2026.
Results:
A total of 458 PwD were evaluated and stratified into low
(15.7%), moderate (41%), and high risk (43.3%) categories.
Most participants had Type 2 diabetes (83.6%), with 60.3%
having a disease duration exceeding 10 years and 43%
exhibiting poor glycemic control (hemoglobin A1c >9%).
Insulin therapy was used by 76.4% of participants, including
two individuals with Type 1 diabetes using AID systems.
Most participants reported no recent hypoglycemia (76.4%),
81.0% performed glucose monitoring, and 3.3% used CGM.
Severe comorbidities were uncommon, with 1.1% having
unstable macrovascular disease and 4.4% advanced chronic
kidney disease (estimated glomerular filtration rate <30).
Notably, 72.2% received structured Ramadan education.
Conclusion
Majority of PwD attending tertiary diabetes clinics were
in the moderate- to high-risk category and intended to
fast despite medical advice against fasting in some cases.
Although most participants were on insulin therapy,
hypoglycemia was low in the pre-Ramadan period.
Integration of modern technologies, advanced insulin
therapies, and structured education may support safer
fasting practices.
Risk Assessment
;
Diabetes Mellitus
;
Hospitals
;
Fasting
2.TricValve in Severe Tricuspid Regurgitation: A Case Series Illustrating The Role of CT Angiography and Treatment Outcome
Hanumantha Reddy MALREDDY ; Jien Sze HO ; Ningyan WONG ; Ignasius Aditya JAPPAR ; Jun Hua CHONG ; Michelle Mei-Yi CHAN ; Foong Koon CHEAH ; Adrian Shoen Choon Seng LOW ; Lohendran BASKARAN ; Felix Yung Jih KENG ; Terrance Siang Jin CHUA ; Swee Yaw TAN ; See Hooi EWE ; Jack Wei Chieh TAN ; Khung Keong YEO
Cardiovascular Imaging Asia 2024;8(4):69-76
Less invasive transcatheter tricuspid therapies are optimal alternative for surgery in high-risk individuals with severe symptomatic tricuspid regurgitation on medical therapy. Various techniques are available with Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair (TEER) having the greatest experience worldwide. When the coaptation gap becomes too large for TEER, caval valve implantation (CAVI) emerge as a better option. We described a series of 4 patients who underwent CAVI with the TricValve system and periprocedural computed tomography angiography imaging for the purpose of TricValve sizing. There were few procedural complications, with significant improvements in New York Heart Association functional class and right ventricular function post-procedure.
3.Long-term survival and clinical implications of allogeneic stem cell transplantation in relapse/refractory lymphoma: A 20-year Singapore experience.
Wei Sheng Joshua LOKE ; Jean Rachel CATAPIA ; Chay Lee LOW ; Francesca LIM ; Jeffrey QUEK ; Hein THAN ; Yeow Tee GOH ; Yeh Ching LINN ; Colin Phipps DIONG ; Aloysius HO ; William HWANG ; Chung Cheng Jordan HWANG ; Aditi GHOSH ; Liang Pui KOH ; Lip Koon TAN ; Joanne LEE ; Li Mei Michelle POON ; Cheng Kiat Lawrence NG
Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore 2024;54(1):5-16
INTRODUCTION:
Allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is a curative option for relapse/refractory (R/R) lymphomas that have failed autologous transplantation or for high-risk lymphomas in the upfront setting. We conducted a retrospective analysis on consecutive lymphoma patients who underwent allo-HSCT over a 20-year period (2003- 2022) at Singapore General Hospital and National University Hospital Singapore.
METHOD:
A total of 121 patients were included in the study. Median age was 41 years. Diagnoses include Hodgkin lymphoma (HL, 15%), B-cell non- Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL, 34%), T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (T-NHL, 31%) and natural killer T-cell lymphoma (NKTL, 20%). Moreover, 27% of patients had prior auto-haematopoietic stem cell transplanta-tion (auto-HSCT), and 84% received reduced intensity conditioning (RIC). Donor types were matched sibling donor (45%), matched unrelated donor (29%), haploidentical donor (19%) and cord blood (CB, 7%).
RESULTS:
After median follow-up of 56 months, estimated 4-year progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) for all patients were 38% and 45%, respectively. Non-relapse mortality (NRM) was 15% at day 100 and 24% at 1 year. On univariate analysis, complete remission status at transplant and RIC confers superior OS. On multivariate analysis, HL was associated with superior OS compared to NHL, whereas matched unrelated donor transplant was associated with significantly inferior OS compared to matched sibling donor.
CONCLUSION
Long-term curative durability was observed with allo-HSCT for patients with relapsed/ refractory lymphomas. This real-world data serves as a valuable historical benchmark for future studies on lymphomas in Singapore and the Asia Pacific region.
Humans
;
Singapore/epidemiology*
;
Adult
;
Male
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Female
;
Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation/methods*
;
Middle Aged
;
Transplantation, Homologous
;
Young Adult
;
Transplantation Conditioning/methods*
;
Lymphoma/mortality*
;
Adolescent
;
Hodgkin Disease/mortality*
;
Aged
;
Lymphoma, B-Cell/mortality*
4.SURGICAL TIMING FOR BLEEDING SIGMOID COLON ADENOCARCINOMA AFTER CORONARY ARTERY BYPASS GRAFT: A DUAL CASE EXPERIENCE AND REVIEW OF LITERATURE IN PAST TWO DECADES
Raymond Zhun Ming Lim ; Raymond Zhun Ming Lim ; Novinth Kumar Raja Ram ; Jih Huei Tan ; Koon Khee Chan ; Azizi Abu Bakar
Journal of University of Malaya Medical Centre 2024;27(1):74-78
SURGICAL TIMING FOR BLEEDING SIGMOID COLON ADENOCARCINOMA AFTER CORONARY ARTERY BYPASS GRAFT: A DUAL CASE EXPERIENCE AND REVIEW OF LITERATURE IN PAST TWO DECADES
The optimal timing of noncardiac surgery (NCS) after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) remains inadequately elucidated in current literature. The intricate balance between advantageous oncological outcomes associated with expeditious curative resection and the potential risk of significant post-NCS cardiac events following CABG presents a complex dilemma. This study presents a retrospective analysis of two cases involving bleeding sigmoid adenocarcinoma in the context of concomitant occlusive coronary disease. Both patients underwent CABG followed by early anterior resection. Notably, no major adverse cardiac events were observed following anterior resection procedures, and patients were discharged within a week uneventfully. A comprehensive review of literature spanning
two decades was undertaken to contextualize these findings. Apparent scarcity of definitive evidence underscores the necessity for more extensive and conclusive data to establish precise guidelines for the optimal timing of NCS post-CABG.
5.Pregnancy-Associated Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection: A Case Report and the Lessons from Practice
Tan Wei Ming ; Julian Tey Hock Chuan ; Asri Ranga Abdullah Ramaiah ; Hana Maizuliana Solehan ; Sarah Zulaikha Samad ; Sia Koon Ket
Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 2023;19(No.2):344-346
Pregnancy-associated spontaneous coronary artery dissection (P-SCAD) is one of the fatal conditions that most commonly causes pregnancy-associated myocardial infarction. We herein report a case of P-SCAD in a 26-year-old multigravida woman, who complained of angina postpartum with raised cardiac biomarkers and transient ST-segment
elevation on electrocardiograms. We emphasize the importance of a high degree of suspicion in the diagnosis of
P-SCAD, together with the common presentation, the management approach, and its psychological impacts on the
patients.
6.Pulmonary endarterectomy and balloon pulmonary angioplasty in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension: The Singapore experience.
Wen RUAN ; Jonathan YAP ; Kevin QUAH ; Foong Koon CHEAH ; Ghee Chee PHUA ; Duu Wen SEWA ; Aidila Binte ISMAIL ; Alicia CHIA ; David JENKINS ; Ju Le TAN ; Victor CHAO ; Soo Teik LIM
Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore 2021;50(3):270-273
7.Clinical Updates on the Diagnosis and Management of Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension.
Wen RUAN ; Jonathan Jl YAP ; Kevin Kh QUAH ; Foong Koon CHEAH ; Ghee Chee PHUA ; Duu Wen SEWA ; Aidila Binte ISMAIL ; Alicia Xf CHIA ; David JENKINS ; Ju Le TAN ; Victor Tt CHAO ; Soo Teik LIM
Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore 2020;49(5):320-330
INTRODUCTION:
Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a known sequela after acute pulmonary embolism (PE). It is a debilitating disease, and potentially fatal if left untreated. This review provides a clinically relevant overview of the disease and discusses the usefulness and limitations of the various investigational and treatment options.
METHODS:
A PubMed search on articles relevant to PE, pulmonary hypertension, CTEPH, pulmonary endarterectomy, and balloon pulmonary angioplasty were performed. A total of 68 articles were found to be relevant and were reviewed.
RESULTS:
CTEPH occurs as a result of non-resolution of thrombotic material, with subsequent fibrosis and scarring of the pulmonary arteries. Risk factors have been identified, but the underlying mechanisms have yet to be fully elucidated. The cardinal symptom of CTEPH is dyspnoea on exertion, but the diagnosis is often challenging due to lack of awareness. The ventilation/perfusion scan is recommended for screening for CTEPH, with other modalities (eg. dual energy computed tomography pulmonary angiography) also being utilised in expert centres. Conventional pulmonary angiography with right heart catheterisation is important in the final diagnosis of CTEPH.
CONCLUSION
Operability assessment by a multidisciplinary team is crucial for the management of CTEPH, as pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) remains the guideline recommended treatment and has the best chance of cure. For inoperable patients or those with residual disease post-PEA, medical therapy or balloon pulmonary angioplasty are potential treatment options.
8.Effect of diarrhoea on Tacrolimus trough level in a post liver transplant patient
Tan See Teng ; Koon Boon Yoong
The Medical Journal of Malaysia 2020;75(6):734-735
Tacrolimus, which bonds to an immunophilin, FK506 binding
protein (FKBP) has emerged as one of the most widely used
immunosuppressant post solid organ transplantation. It
offers excellent patient survival rates post-transplantation
and a lesser number of acute rejections as compared to
cyclosporine.
Tacrolimus has a narrow therapeutic window with
overexposure leading to acute and chronic forms of
nephrotoxicity. Remarkably few data have been published
on the overexposure to tacrolimus following mild diarrhoea
in post-transplant patients who received treatment with
tacrolimus. We observed a post-liver transplant patient with
increased trough level of tacrolimus during severe diarrhoea
with no complications following a timely adjustment on the
dose of tacrolimus.
9.Effect of diarrhoea on Tacrolimus trough level in a post liver transplant patient
Tan See Teng ; Koon Boon Yoong
The Medical Journal of Malaysia 2020;75(6):734-735
Tacrolimus, which bonds to an immunophilin, FK506 binding
protein (FKBP) has emerged as one of the most widely used
immunosuppressant post solid organ transplantation. It
offers excellent patient survival rates post-transplantation
and a lesser number of acute rejections as compared to
cyclosporine.
Tacrolimus has a narrow therapeutic window with
overexposure leading to acute and chronic forms of
nephrotoxicity. Remarkably few data have been published
on the overexposure to tacrolimus following mild diarrhoea
in post-transplant patients who received treatment with
tacrolimus. We observed a post-liver transplant patient with
increased trough level of tacrolimus during severe diarrhoea
with no complications following a timely adjustment on the
dose of tacrolimus.
10.First Feasibility Study and Short-term Outcomes of Laparoscopic-Assisted Anterior Resection in Colorectal Cancer in Malaysia
Henry Chor Lip TAN ; Jih Huei TAN ; Nur Akmalrudin NUR DZAINUDDIN ; Koon Khee CHAN
Annals of Coloproctology 2020;36(2):94-101
Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic-assisted anterior resection (LAAR) for colorectal cancer in a local Asian population.
Methods:
This is a retrospective review of all patients with colorectal cancer operated from November 2017 to October 2018. Main variables of interest were demography, type and surgery, length of stay (LOS), and the involvement of proximal and distal doughnut. Postoperative complications were analysed using chi-square or Fisher exact and Mann-Whitney tests.
Results:
There were 23 patients with a mean age of 62.5 ± 12.2 years. The mean time from diagnosis to surgery was 97.1 ± 154.84 days. There were 12 patients in the LAAR group and 11 in the open anterior resection (OAR) group. Duration of surgery was shorter in OAR (129.58 ± 51.38 minutes) compared to LAAR (147.91 ± 39.37 minutes). Mean LOS was shorter in the LAAR group with 5±1.5 days compared to the OAR group of 7.42 ± 4.25 days. However, there was no significant P-value for both duration of surgery (P = 0.322) or LOS (P = 0.87). A total of 3 complications were recorded after OAR and 2 after LAAR. Both groups had clear proximal and distal margins with 16 (12–18.5) harvested lymph nodes in LAAR and 18 (16–22) in OAR, which were equal (P = 0.155).
Conclusion
This study reports a shorter LOS in the minimally invasive group of 2 days with similar oncologic resection outcomes. This shows that LAAR is feasible in Malaysia and has potential outcome benefits.


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