INTRODUCTION: Primary care physicians face the increasing burden of managing multimorbidities in an ageing population. Implementing an integrated care team (ICT) with defined roles and accountability to share consultation tasks is an emerging care model to address this issue. This study compared outcomes with ICT versus usual care for patients with multimorbidities in primary care. METHODS: Data was retrospectively extracted from the electronic medical records (EMRs) of consecutive adult Asian patients empanelled to ICT and those in UC at a typical primary care clinic (polyclinic) in eastern Singapore in 2018. The study population had hypertension, and/or hyperlipidaemia and/or type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Clinical outcomes included the proportion of patients (ICT vs. UC) who attained their treatment goals after 12 months. Process outcomes included the proportion of patients who completed annual diabetic eye and foot screenings, where applicable. RESULTS: Data from 3,302 EMRs (ICT = 1,723, UC = 1,579) from January 2016 to September 2017 was analysed. The ICT cohort was more likely to achieve treatment goals for systolic blood pressure (SBP) (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.52, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.38-1.68), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (AOR = 1.72, 95% CI = 1.49-1.99), and glycated haemoglobin (AOR = 1.28, 95% CI = 1.09-1.51). The ICT group had higher uptake of diabetic retinal screening (89.1% vs. 83.0%, P < 0.001) and foot screening (85.2% vs. 77.9%, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION The ICT model yielded better clinical and process outcomes than UC, with more patients attaining treatment goals.
Adult ; Humans ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/drug therapy* ; Retrospective Studies ; Noncommunicable Diseases/therapy* ; Delivery of Health Care, Integrated ; Primary Health Care

INTRODUCTION: We investigated the knowledge, attitudes and practice (KAP) towards coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and its related preventive measures in Singaporeans aged ≥60 years. METHODS: This was a population-based, cross-sectional, mixed-methods study (13 May 2020-9 June 2020) of participants aged ≥ 60 years. Self-reported KAP about ten symptoms and six government-endorsed preventive measures related to COVID-19 were evaluated. Multivariable regression models were used to identify sociodemographic and health-related factors associated with KAP in our sample. Associations between knowledge/attitude scores and practice categories were determined using logistic regression. Seventy-eight participants were interviewed qualitatively about the practice of additional preventive measures and data were analysed thematically. RESULTS: Mean awareness score of COVID-19 symptoms was 7.2/10. The most known symptom was fever (93.0%) and the least known was diarrhoea (33.5%). Most participants knew all six preventive measures (90.4%), perceived them as effective (78.7%) and practised 'wear a mask' (97.2%). Indians, Malays and participants living in smaller housing had poorer mean scores for knowledge of COVID-19 symptoms. Older participants had poorer attitudes towards preventive measures. Compared to Chinese, Indians had lower odds of practising three out of six recommendations. A one-point increase in score for knowledge and attitudes regarding preventive measures resulted in higher odds of always practising three of six and two of six measures, respectively. Qualitative interviews revealed use of other preventive measures, for example, maintaining a healthy lifestyle. CONCLUSIONS Elderly Singaporeans displayed high levels of KAP about COVID-19 and its related preventive measures, with a positive association between levels of knowledge/attitude and practice. However, important ethnic and socioeconomic disparities were evident, indicating that key vulnerabilities remain, which require immediate attention.
Humans ; Aged ; COVID-19/epidemiology* ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Singapore/epidemiology* ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Humans ; Parkinson Disease/diagnosis* ; Machine Learning

Humans ; COVID-19/complications* ; Pericarditis/complications*

Background/Aims: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is closely associated with diabetes. The cumulative impact of both diseases synergistically increases risk of adverse events. However, present population analysis is predominantly conducted with reference to non-NAFLD individuals and has not yet examined the impact of prediabetes. Hence, we sought to conduct a retrospective analysis on the impact of diabetic status in NAFLD patients, referencing non-diabetic NAFLD individuals. Methods: Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999–2018 was used. Hepatic steatosis was defined with United States Fatty Liver Index (US-FLI) and FLI at a cut-off of 30 and 60 respectively, in absence of substantial alcohol use. A multivariate generalized linear model was used for risk ratios of binary outcomes while survival analysis was conducted with Cox regression and Fine Gray model for competing risk. Results: Of 32,234 patients, 28.92% were identified to have NAFLD. 36.04%, 38.32% and 25.63% were non-diabetic, prediabetic and diabetic respectively. Diabetic NAFLD significantly increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), stroke, chronic kidney disease, all-cause and CVD mortality compared to non-diabetic NAFLD. However, prediabetic NAFLD only significantly increased the risk of CVD and did not result in a higher risk of mortality. Conclusions Given the increased risk of adverse outcomes, this study highlights the importance of regular diabetes screening in NAFLD and adoption of prompt lifestyle modifications to reduce disease progression. Facing high cardiovascular burden, prediabetic and diabetic NAFLD individuals can benefit from early cardiovascular referrals to reduce risk of CVD events and mortality.

OBJECTIVE：To evaluate the efficacy ，safety and econom y of donepezil in the treatment of Alzheimer ’s disease （AD），so as to provide evidence-based evidence for clinical rational drug use. METHODS ：Retrieved from PubMed ，Embase，the Cochrane Library ，CNKI，Wanfang database ，CBM and health technology assessment （HTA）organization websites ，systematic review/Meta-analysis，economic evaluation and HTA reports about donepezil in the treatment of AD were collected during the inception to Feb. 2021. Data extraction and quality evaluation were carried out for the literature that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria，and the research results were summarized and analyzed qualitatively. RESULTS ：A total of 26 studies were included ， including 15 systematic reviews/Meta-analysis ，and 11 economic studies ；HTA reports were not included. The results showed that in terms of effectiveness ，compared with placebo ，donepezil could significantly improve the cognitive function ，activity of daily life，mental behavior and overall function of AD patients （P＜0.05）；compared with rivastigmine ，donepezil could significantly improve cognitive function of AD patients （P＜0.05）；compared with galantamine ，donepezil could significantly improve cognitive function and overall function （P＜0.05），but there was no statistical significance in terms of improving mental behavioral symptoms（P＞0.05）；there was no statistical significance between donepezil and memantine in improving cognitive function ， psychobehavioral symptoms and activities of daily living in AD patients （P＞0.05），but donepezil was weaker than memantine in overall functional （P＜0.05）. In terms of safety ，there was no significant difference in the tolerance and mortality in patients using donepezil and placebo （P＞0.05）；donepezil was better tolerated than rivastigmine and galantamine （P＜0.05）；there was no significant difference in the incidence of ADR for donepezil compared with placebo ， metamine and other non-placebo mail：15201008872@163.com controlled drugs （P＞0.05）. Economic studies showed that # compared with rivastigmine ，placebo and no AD-related drug treatment，donepezil could prolong quality adjusted life years （QALY）and saved medical costs ，which was more cost-effective. Compared with conventional treatment for basic disease and memantine，although donepezil could prolong QALY ，whether it had economic advantages still needed to confirmed in combination with national or regional health resource conditions. CONCLUSIONS ：Donepezil is ralatively effective ，safe and economical in the treatment of AD.

Objective:To compare the effects of different anesthetic methods on the prognosis in the patients with stage Ⅲ breast cancer.Methods:Based on a multicenter randomized controlled trial (NCT00418457), 274 patients with untreated stage Ⅲ breast cancer, aged 18-85 yr, of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical statusⅠ-Ⅲ, were enrolled in the study and assigned to thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB) combined with total intravenous anesthesia group (TPVB+ TIVA group, n=141) and general anesthesia group (GA group, n=133) by computer-generated randomization stratified by study site.The primary outcome parameter of this study was postoperative recurrence rate.The secondary outcome parameters were the degree of postoperative acute pain (assessed using visual analogue scale score), the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), postoperative hospital stay time, and the incidence of persistent pain after breast cancer surgery (PPBCS) at 6 and 12 months after surgery (assessed using the modified Brief Pain Inventory). Results:Compared with group GA, no significant change was found in the postoperative recurrence rate ( HR=0.711, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.418-1.210, P=0.209), the degree of postoperative acute pain and the incidence of PONV were decreased (mean difference ( MD) of visual analogue scale score -0.890, 95% CI -1.344--0.436, P<0.001; OR=0.236, 95% CI 0.083-0.674, P=0.007), and no significant change was found in postoperative hospital stay time and the incidence of PPBCS ( HR=1.000, 95% CI 0.778-1.286, P=1.000; OR=2.100, 95% CI 0.599-7.362, P=0.246) in group TPVB+ TIVA. Conclusion:Compared with general anesthesia alone, TPVB combined with total intravenous anesthesia can provide lower degree of postoperative acute pain and lower incidence of PONV, and exert no effects on postoperative recurrence, postoperative hospital stay time and PPBCS in patients with stage Ⅲ breast cancer.

Objective: Mulberry (Morus spp.) fruits and leaves have been proven to possess nutraceutical properties. Due to its fast and easy growing characteristics, mulberry fruits (MF) and leaves (ML) potentially emerge as a great source of functional foods. This study aims to enhance bioactivities (antioxidant, anti-inflammation, and hypoglycemic activity) of MF and ML via submerged fermentation using bacteria (Lactobacillus plantarum TAR 4), yeast (Baker's yeast and red yeast) and fungi (Tempeh and Tapai starter). Methods: In this study, 25% (mass to volume ratio) of MF and ML were fermented (48 h) with 1% (mass to volume ratio) of different microbial cultures, respectively. Effects of different fermentations on MF and ML were determined based on the changes of total phenolics (TPC), flavonoids (TFC), anthocyanins, total sugar, DPPH activity, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), albumin denaturation inhibition activity (ADI), anti-lipoxygenase activity and α-amylase inhibition activity (AI). Results: Generally, ML had higher AI than MF. However, MF exhibited higher DPPH, FRAP and anti-lipoxygenase activity than ML. After all forms of fermentation, DPPH and AI activity of MF and ML were increased significantly (P < 0.05). However, the effects of fermentation on TPC, FRAP, ADI and anti-lipoxygenase activity of MF were in contrast with ML. TPC, FRAP and anti-lipoxygenase activity of ML were enhanced, but reduced in MF after fermentation. Although the effects exerted by different microorganisms in MF and ML fermentation were different, the bioactivities of MF and ML were generally improved after fermentation. Fermentation by Tempeh starter enhanced TPC (by 2-fold), FRAP (by 2.3-fold), AI (at 10% increment) and anti-lipoxygenase activity (by 5-fold) of ML, whereas Tapai fermentation effectively enhanced the DPPH (at 17% increment) and ADI (by 2-fold) activity of MF. Conclusion: Findings of this study provide an insight into the future process design of MF and ML processing into novel functional foods.

INTRODUCTION: Non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFB) is a highly heterogenous disease. We describe the clinical characteristics of NCFB patients and evaluate the performance of Bronchiectasis Severity Index (BSI) in predicting mortality. METHODS: Patients attending the bronchiectasis clinic between August 2015 and April 2020 with radiologically proven bronchiectasis on computed tomography were recruited. Clinical characteristics, spirometry, radiology, microbiology and clinical course over a median period of 2.4 years is presented. RESULTS: A total of 168 patients were enrolled in this prospective cohort study. They were predominantly women (67.8%), Chinese (87.5%) and never-smokers (76.9%). Median age of diagnosis was 64 years (interquartile range 56-71) and the most common aetiology was "idiopathic" bronchiectasis (44.6%). Thirty-nine percent had normal spirometries. Compared to female patients, there were more smokers among the male patients (53.8% versus 8.5%, CONCLUSION The NCFB cohort in Singapore has unique characteristics with sex differences. Over half the patients had a history of haemoptysis. The BSI score is a useful predictor of mortality in our population.
Aged ; Bronchiectasis/epidemiology* ; Cohort Studies ; Female ; Fibrosis ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Pulmonary Medicine ; Severity of Illness Index ; Singapore/epidemiology*

Ambulatory Care ; COVID-19 ; Health Facility Planning ; Hospital Bed Capacity ; Hospitals, Rehabilitation ; Humans ; Infection Control ; Rehabilitation ; Remote Consultation ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Singapore ; Telerehabilitation ; Triage