Introductions: Patients with primary podocytopathies such as minimal change disease (MCD) and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) with nephrotic syndrome are at risk for adverse outcomes. This study reports on the long -term outcomes, specifically kidney failure and death among patients treated for primary podocytopathies in a tertiary centre in Singapore. Materials and Methods: This was a single -centre, retrospective cohort study of all adults aged ≥21 years old diagnosed between 2016 and 2020 with MCD and FSGS with nephrotic -range proteinuria. We excluded patients with membranous nephropathy and secondary glomerulonephritides (lupus nephritis, ANCA - associated vasculitis, membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, and diabetic nephropathy). Sociodemographic, comorbidity, laboratory and pharmacotherapy data were retrieved from the electronic medical records. The outcomes assessed were incidence of death or kidney failure (estimated glomerular filtration function [eGFR]<15 ml/min/1.73 m2 or required kidney replacement therapy). Results: Sixty patients (Chinese 80%, Malay 6%, Indian 3% and other races 3%) with MCD (37 patients) and FSGS (23 patients) were included. The morphological lesions in FSGS included cellular (n=2), tip (n=2), perihilar (n=7), collapsing (n=3) and not otherwise specified (n=17). At a median follow -up of 26.3 (8.9, 50.3) months, 12 (20%) outcomes were recorded, 11 (47.8%; death 6 and kidney failure 5) in the FSGS group and 1 (2.7%; died) in the MCD group. The causes of death were attributed to kidney failure (n=1), cardiovascular disease (n=1), infection (n=3); and unknown (n=2). The Kaplan -Meier survival curve showed that patients with MCD had better patient and kidney outcomes than those with FSGS (log rank p<0.001). Cox regression analysis (adjusted for age) found that FSGS was significantly associated with death or kidney failure (adjusted hazard ratio 18.17, 95% confidence interval 2.28 -145.07, p=0.006), compared with MCD. Conclusion: Adults with severe primary podocytopathy due to FSGS had worse patient and kidney outcomes than MCD

Introductions: Patients with primary podocytopathies such as minimal change disease (MCD) and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) with nephrotic syndrome are at risk for adverse outcomes. This study reports on the long -term outcomes, specifically kidney failure and death among patients treated for primary podocytopathies in a tertiary centre in Singapore. Materials and Methods: This was a single -centre, retrospective cohort study of all adults aged ≥21 years old diagnosed between 2016 and 2020 with MCD and FSGS with nephrotic -range proteinuria. We excluded patients with membranous nephropathy and secondary glomerulonephritides (lupus nephritis, ANCA - associated vasculitis, membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, and diabetic nephropathy). Sociodemographic, comorbidity, laboratory and pharmacotherapy data were retrieved from the electronic medical records. The outcomes assessed were incidence of death or kidney failure (estimated glomerular filtration function [eGFR]<15 ml/min/1.73 m2 or required kidney replacement therapy). Results: Sixty patients (Chinese 80%, Malay 6%, Indian 3% and other races 3%) with MCD (37 patients) and FSGS (23 patients) were included. The morphological lesions in FSGS included cellular (n=2), tip (n=2), perihilar (n=7), collapsing (n=3) and not otherwise specified (n=17). At a median follow -up of 26.3 (8.9, 50.3) months, 12 (20%) outcomes were recorded, 11 (47.8%; death 6 and kidney failure 5) in the FSGS group and 1 (2.7%; died) in the MCD group. The causes of death were attributed to kidney failure (n=1), cardiovascular disease (n=1), infection (n=3); and unknown (n=2). The Kaplan -Meier survival curve showed that patients with MCD had better patient and kidney outcomes than those with FSGS (log rank p<0.001). Cox regression analysis (adjusted for age) found that FSGS was significantly associated with death or kidney failure (adjusted hazard ratio 18.17, 95% confidence interval 2.28 -145.07, p=0.006), compared with MCD. Conclusion: Adults with severe primary podocytopathy due to FSGS had worse patient and kidney outcomes than MCD

Background: Cardiovascular disease causes significant morbidity and mortality in patients with glomerulonephritis, which is increasingly diagnosed in older individuals who may have diabetes mellitus (DM). We evaluated the impact of DM on metabolic profile, renal and cardiovascular outcomes during treatment and follow-up of individuals with glomerulonephritis. Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study of 601 consecutive adults with biopsy-proven glomerulonephritis for factors associated with kidney failure, hospitalization for cardiovascular events, and death. Biopsies with isolated diabetic nephropathy were excluded. Results: The median patient age was 49.8 years (36.7–60.9 years) with estimated glomerular filtration rate of 56.7 mL/min/1.73 m2 (27.7–93.2 mL/min/1.73 m2). DM was present in 25.4%. The most frequent diagnoses were minimal change disease (MCD) or focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) (29.5%), lupus nephritis (21.3%), immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy (19.1%), and membranous nephropathy (12.1%). The median follow-up was 38.8 months (interquartile range [IQR], 26.8–55.8 months). Among 511 individuals with lupus nephritis, anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis, MCD/FSGS, membranous nephropathy, and IgA nephropathy, 52 (10.2%) developed kidney failure at a median 16.4 months (IQR, 2.3–32.2 months), while 29 (5.7%) had cardiovascular-related hospitalizations at 12.9 months (IQR, 4.8–31.8 months) and 31 (6.1%) died at 13.5 months (IQR, 2.5–42.9 months) after diagnosis. Cox regression analysis found that baseline DM was independently associated with kidney failure (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 2.07; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06–4.05, p = 0.03) and cardiovascular-related hospitalization (adjusted HR, 2.69; 95% CI, 1.21–5.98, p = 0.02) but not with mortality. Conclusion DM was strongly associated with kidney failure and hospitalization for cardiovascular events in patients with biopsy-proven glomerulonephritis.

Background: Cardiovascular disease causes significant morbidity and mortality in patients with glomerulonephritis, which is increasingly diagnosed in older individuals who may have diabetes mellitus (DM). We evaluated the impact of DM on metabolic profile, renal and cardiovascular outcomes during treatment and follow-up of individuals with glomerulonephritis. Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study of 601 consecutive adults with biopsy-proven glomerulonephritis for factors associated with kidney failure, hospitalization for cardiovascular events, and death. Biopsies with isolated diabetic nephropathy were excluded. Results: The median patient age was 49.8 years (36.7–60.9 years) with estimated glomerular filtration rate of 56.7 mL/min/1.73 m2 (27.7–93.2 mL/min/1.73 m2). DM was present in 25.4%. The most frequent diagnoses were minimal change disease (MCD) or focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) (29.5%), lupus nephritis (21.3%), immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy (19.1%), and membranous nephropathy (12.1%). The median follow-up was 38.8 months (interquartile range [IQR], 26.8–55.8 months). Among 511 individuals with lupus nephritis, anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis, MCD/FSGS, membranous nephropathy, and IgA nephropathy, 52 (10.2%) developed kidney failure at a median 16.4 months (IQR, 2.3–32.2 months), while 29 (5.7%) had cardiovascular-related hospitalizations at 12.9 months (IQR, 4.8–31.8 months) and 31 (6.1%) died at 13.5 months (IQR, 2.5–42.9 months) after diagnosis. Cox regression analysis found that baseline DM was independently associated with kidney failure (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 2.07; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06–4.05, p = 0.03) and cardiovascular-related hospitalization (adjusted HR, 2.69; 95% CI, 1.21–5.98, p = 0.02) but not with mortality. Conclusion DM was strongly associated with kidney failure and hospitalization for cardiovascular events in patients with biopsy-proven glomerulonephritis.

Background: Glomerulonephritis is often treated with kidney-saving, but potentially diabetogenic immunosuppressants such as glucocorticosteroids and calcineurin inhibitors. Unfortunately, there are little data on dysglycemia before and after diagnosis and during treatment of glomerulonephritis. We aimed to evaluate the occurrence and risk factors for pre-diabetes and incident diabetes among non-diabetic patients with glomerular disease with or without treatment with immunosuppressants. Methods: A single-center, retrospective cohort study was performed on 229 non-diabetic immunosuppressantnaïve adults diagnosed with glomerulonephritis and renal vasculitis. Patients with known diabetes and prior immunosuppressant treatment were excluded. Outcomes of new-onset pre-diabetes and new-onset diabetes were defined according to American Diabetic Association criteria. Results: Pre-diabetes was present pre-biopsy in 74 of the 229 patients (32.3%). During the median follow-up of 34.0 (23.3-47.5) months, 29 patients (12.7%) developed new-onset diabetes and 58 (25.3%) had new-onset prediabetes. Immunosuppressive therapy in patients with pre-existing pre-diabetes was associated with increased odds of new-onset diabetes compared to those without either risk factor (26.0% versus 5.0%; odds ratio, 6.67; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.41 to 31.64), P = 0.02). Conclusion New-onset diabetes after immunosuppressant treatment occurred in one-quarter of patients with glomerulonephritis and pre-existing pre-diabetes. Physicians should screen for pre-diabetes when planning treatment with immunosuppressants, as its presence significantly increases the risk of diabetes mellitus.

Dengue is an increasing threat in Malaysia, particularly in the more densely populated regions of the country. We present an Artificial Intelligence driven model in predicting Aedes outbreak, using predictors of weather variables and vector indices sourced from the Ministry of Health. Analysis and predictions to estimate Aedes populations were conducted, with its results being used to infer the possibility of dengue outbreaks at pre-determined localities around the Klang Valley, Malaysia. A Bayesian Network machine learning technique was employed, with the model being trained using predictor variables such as temperature, rainfall, date of onset and notification, and vector indices such as the Ae. albopictus count, Ae. aegypti count and larval count. The interfaces of the system were developed using the C# language for Server-side configuration and programming, and HTML, CSS and JavaScript for the Client Side programming. The model was then used to predict the population of Aedes at periods of 7, 14, and 30 days. Using the Bayesian Network technique utilising the above predictor variables we proposed a finalised model with predictive accuracy ranging from 79%-84%. This model was developed into a Graphical User Interface, which was purposed to assist and educate the general public of regions at risk of developing dengue outbreak. This remains a valuable case-study on the importance of public data in the context of combating a public health risk via the development of models for predicting outbreaks of dengue which will hopefully spur further sharing of data by all parties in combating public health threats.

The link between cholesterol levels and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is well-established. In Singapore, there is an increasing prevalence of risk factors for ASCVD. Like many Asian countries, Singapore's population is rapidly ageing and increasingly sedentary, which predisposes individuals to chronic health problems. Current international and local guidelines recommend statin therapy for the primary and secondary prevention of ASCVD. However, despite the effectiveness of statin therapy, some studies have highlighted that Asian patients with cardiovascular disease are not achieving target lipid goals. Furthermore, it is widely believed that the responses of Asians (both patients and physicians) to statin therapy are different from those of their Western counterparts. Experts convened in 2014 to determine the impact of current guidelines on clinical practice in Singapore. This review summarises the key findings and recommendations of these guidelines, and presents key principles to aid clinicians to manage the cardiovascular risk of their patients more effectively.
Aging ; Atherosclerosis ; drug therapy ; Cardiology ; standards ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; Life Style ; Lipoproteins, LDL ; blood ; Practice Guidelines as Topic ; Risk Assessment ; Risk Factors ; Singapore