ASSOCIATION BETWEEN BODY MASS INDEX AND DIABETES MELLITUS CONTROL CLASSIFICATION AMONG PATIENTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS: EVIDENCE FROM THE NATIONAL DIABETES REGISTRY OF MUAR DISTRICT HEALTH OFFICE, MALAYSIA, FROM JANUARY 2021 TO JULY 2023 Introduction: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is one of the most prevalent non-communicable diseases globally. This study aimed to determine the association between body mass index (BMI) and diabetes mellitus (DM) control among patients with T2DM. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted from October 2023 to June 2024 using secondary data from the National Diabetes Registry (NDR) of Muar District Health Office, Johor. Patients with T2DM registered in the NDR and audited from 2021 to July 2023 were included. The association between BMI and DM control was analysed using hierarchical multinomial logistic regression. Results: A total of 1955 patients were included in the study. The prevalence of good, intermediate and poor BMI control was 38.8% (95% Confident Interval (CI)=36.7, 41.0), 22.2% (95% CI=20.3, 24.0) and 39.0% (95% CI=36.7, 41.2), respectively. Most patients were older Malay women. There was an association between BMI and DM control unadjusted (P<0.001) and adjusted for several confounding factors using seven models (P=0.003–0.034). The R2 value also improved from 0.008 to 0.293. Conclusion: Among patients with T2DM, a higher BMI, the creatinine level and medications such as glucose-lowering drugs, ticlopidine, acetylsalicylic acid and statins are associated with DM control. However, as the study design does not allow for the assessment of causality or progression over time, the findings should be interpreted as descriptive associations rather than as evidence of cause-and effect relationships. Focus on medication compliance, healthcare providers’ role during medication consultation and stakeholders’ role in maintaining drug supplementation is needed.

This case report illustrates two cases of complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (CAIS) which is a rare form of sexual development disorder. Both presented with primary amenorrhea at the age of 18 and 19 years old. The hormonal profiles ruled out hypothyroidism, hyperprolactinemia, and primary ovarian failure. Magnetic resonance imaging of both patients showed the absence of uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, but the presence of proximal 1/3rd of the vagina. There is a single testis in the left inguinal region with unknown status of spermatogenesis. Women with CAIS are vulnerable to various psychological conditions caused by the appalling fact of being genotypically male when they have been raised female all their life. The gender confusion, reproductive issues, and how others perceive them require sensitive support. Hence, accentuate the need to explore and address the emotional, psychological, and psychiatric vulnerabilities, religious and spiritual beliefs in issues of relationships, infertility, and conception.

Introduction: Addressing motivation to lose weight among morbidly obese patients increases successful weight management outcomes. We aimed to understand the motivations and reasons why morbidly obese patients attending hospital-based weight management programmes wanted to lose weight. Methods: A qualitative thematic content analysis was used to analyse responses from a self-administered open-ended question, “What is the main factor why you want to lose your weight?”. A total of 225 new patients attending obesity clinics program run by endocrinologists, dietitians and occupational therapists in two tertiary hospitals in Klang Valley responded to the questionnaire. Results: Patients’ mean BMI was 45.6±8.05 kg/m2 . Four themes emerged and they are health, function, appearance and perceived stigma. Health, the most commonly inferred theme (84%), highlighted concerns over obesity complications and concomitant morbidities, which include infertility, impact on surgical procedures as well as general physical and psychological well-being. Patients regard being functional to care for themselves, family members, religious and career needs as the next most crucial theme (25.8%). They relate to the theme appearance (12.9%) by wanting to look and feel beautiful. The theme perceived stigmatization recount the time when they were mocked and laughed at for their appearance (3.1%). Conclusion: Patients with morbid obesity in this study had expressed their main personal motivational reasons to lose weight. Identifying and addressing these unique personal motivations in a focused approach is vital for health care professionals to manage the complexity of the health, social and psychological needs among patients with morbid obesity.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airway which is often misdiagnosed and undertreated. Early diagnosis and vigilant asthma control are crucial to preventing permanent airway damage, improving quality of life and reducing healthcare burdens. The key approaches to asthma management should include patient empowerment through health education and selfmanagement and, an effective patient-healthcare provider partnership.