1.Survival Analysis and Prognostic Factors for Peri-ocular Malignancies in Malaysia
Dhashani Sivaratnam ; Radzlian Othman ; Navin Kumar Devaraj ; Yap Ming Teck ; Vincent Ng Teng Fung ; Ew Shao Chen ; Ramizah Md Rozi ; Nur Najlaa Baharudin ; Kirbashini Kanasan ; Abdul Hanif Khan Yusof Khan ; Vasudevan Ramachandran ; Siew Moi Ching
Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 2024;20(No.1):60-69
Introduction: This study aims to determine the prognostic factors and survival outcomes of patients that underwent
this surgery. Method: A retrospective review of 43 patients who underwent exenteration for periocular malignancies
over a 14-year period was carried out. Patient demographics, tumour histology, treatment details, surgical margins’
status and post-operative survival were recorded. The survival outcome examined was the overall survival (OS)
rate. Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier analysis were used to evaluate post-exenteration survival. Results: In total,
20 females and 23 males with a median age of 62 ± 17.3 years were identified. The most common indication for
exenteration was basal cell carcinoma (20.9%), followed by squamous cell carcinoma (18.6%), adenocystic carcinoma (14%), malignant melanoma (14%) and sebaceous gland carcinoma (11.6%). The independent predictors for
worse OS on multivariate analysis were Chinese ethnicity (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 4.95, p =0.017), sebaceous
gland carcinoma (aHR 57.61 p=0.006), adenocystic carcinoma (aHR 45.87, p=0.008), clear surgical margins (aHR
5.41, p=0.025), receiving only chemotherapy (aHR 169.13, p=0.004), and receiving both adjuvant chemotherapy
and radiotherapy (aHR 41.51, p=0.010). Conclusion: We recommend targeted public health initiatives for Chinese
patients due to their increased mortality risk from peri-ocular malignancies. In addition, we advise comprehensive
adjuvant therapy for all patients regardless of whether a clear surgical margin is achieved. Basal cell carcinoma and
adenocystic carcinoma may also benefit from genetic research. We advocate more training for ophthalmologists to
identify periocular malignancies earlier for better treatment options and increased chances of survival.
2.Prevalence of Burnout and Its Associated Factors among Medical Students in a Public University in Selangor, Malaysia: a CrossSectional Study
Hui Zhu Thew ; Siew Mooi Ching ; Nurin Amalina Sallahuddin ; Puteri Nur Dayana Nooralirakiz ; Thessa Sharmila David ; Imran Kamal Hafiz Zaidi ; Navin Kumar Devaraj ; Kai Wei Lee ; Hanifatiyah Ali ; Abdul Hadi Abdul Manap ; Fadzilah Mohamad ; Subapriya Suppiah ; Vasudevan Ramachandran
Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 2023;19(No.1):197-204
Introduction: Burnout is a growing trend among medical students worldwide. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with burnout among medical students at a public university in Malaysia.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1st through 5th year medical students at a public university
using a simple random sampling method in recruiting participants. In this study, The Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey for Student (MBI-SS) was used and burnout is defined as severely emotionally exhausted and
severely depersonalised. Results: A total of 328 medical students were recruited with a with response rate of 88.6%.
The burnout prevalence was 10.1%. Based on multivariate logistic regression, presence of smartphone addiction
with adjusted (odds ratio (OR) 7.37, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.67, 32.49), course choice not based on personal interest or due to family pressure (OR 2.72, 95% CI = 1.08, 6.85) and the presence of family relationship problems (OR = 3.58, 95% CI = 1.27, 10.04) are more likely to be associated with burnout among the medical students.
Conclusion: Our study has shown that every tenth medical students suffers from burnout. Medical students who are
addicted to smartphone, have chosen medical course against individual interest or because of family pressure and
have family relationship problems are at risk of getting burnout. Intervention is required to address this issue for the
future well-being of medical students.
3.Prevalence and associated factors of lipohypertrophy in insulin-injected patients with diabetes in selected primary care clinics in Peninsular Malaysian: A cross-sectional study
Siti Hawa Alias ; Cheong Lieng Teng ; Navin Kumar Devaraj ; Saadatunnoor Amirrudin ; Noor Rawaida Abd Latib ; Fui Yee Chong ; Syamimi Yussof ; Mohamad Danial Mohamad Din ; Poon Wah Lim
Malaysian Family Physician 2023;18(All Issues):1-15
Introduction:
This study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of lipohypertrophy in insulin-injecting patients with diabetes at selected primary care clinics in Malaysia
Methods:
This cross-sectional study was conducted among adults aged ≥18 years with type 1 or 2 diabetes treated with insulin for at least 6 months at six selected public primary care clinics in Malaysia. The Injection Technique Questionnaire was used, and physical examination was conducted to detect the presence of lipohypertrophy. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS version 26.
Results:
A total of 506 patients with type 2 diabetes were included in this study; of them, 60.47% were women, and 48.42% were Malays. The prevalence of lipohypertrophy was 39.6% (95% Confidence Interval, CI =35%–44%). The univariate analysis revealed that a larger number of injections per day, longer needle length, repeated use of needles, incorrect rotation of the injection site, longer insulin use duration, higher total insulin dose and higher HbA1c level were significantly associated with lipohypertrophy. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, incorrect rotation of the injection site was the only independent associated factor of lipohypertrophy.
Conclusion
The prevalence of lipohypertrophy in this study is comparable with that in other studies. The identified associated factors of lipohypertrophy must be addressed in ongoing health education for insulin-injecting patients at Malaysian primary care clinics. Educating healthcare professionals and increasing awareness among patients with diabetes are important steps in preventing this complication.
Prevalence
;
Insulin
;
Diabetes Mellitus
;
Primary Health Care
4.Complementary Medicine a Costly Risk in Management of Chronic Knee Osteoarthritis? A Case Report
Sanjiv Rampal ; Sandra Maniam ; Ho Yi Peh ; Raghuman Sheriff Feroze ; Manvikram Singh Gill ; Navin Kumar Devaraj ; Suresh Kumar Subbiah
Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 2022;18(No.3):195-197
Knee osteoarthritis is the commonest cause of knee pain in the elderly. It is characterized by unresolved pain, limitation of motion and reduced quality of life. Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a safe and effective method in treating
chronic knee osteoarthritis. We report a rare case of a seventy-seven-year-old Chinese female with multiple comorbidities and bilateral degenerative osteoarthritis who had sought services of traditional and complementary medicine
(TCM) for pain relief. The patient experienced unresolved pain and superficial skin scars following the unregulated
procedure. This paper aims to outline the importance of awareness among surgeons regarding the unregulated practice of TCM that may exacerbate chronic osteoarthritis, joint synovitis, influence the surgical approach for future
procedures with the presence of scars and prosthetic joint infection risk.
5.A life-threatening condition—ruptured ectopic pregnancy with negative urine pregnancy test: A case report
Fadzilah Mohamad ; Ahmad Shuib Yahya ; Aneesa Abdul Rashid ; Navin Kumar Devaraj ; Abdul Hadi Abdul Manap
Malaysian Family Physician 2021;16(1):121-123
Ectopic pregnancy is an extra-uterine pregnancy and is a potentially life-threatening condition that can lead to death from intra-peritoneal hemorrhage. This case reports a rare occurrence of ruptured tubal pregnancy in which the patient presented early with abdominal pain and a negative urine pregnancy test but subsequently presented again with evidence of intra-peritoneal hemorrhage. A negative urine pregnancy test is often used to rule out pregnancy, but it is not 100% sensitive. Complete assessment is critical in this important diagnosis in order to plan for the appropriate emergency management.
6.A Novel Approach in Treating Diabetic Foot Ulcer With Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: A Case Report
Mohd Syazwan Zainal ; Khairul Azmi Ghazali ; Masdiamin Mohamad Nor ; Navin Kumar Devaraj ; Rampal S
Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 2021;17(No.2):298-300
Diabetes mellitus has reached epidemic levels in Malaysia due to increase in its risk factors such as obesity, dietary
and sedentary lifestyle. In patients with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, diabetic foot ulcer (DFU)is a common complication. Managing diabetic foot infection is often multifactorial and intricate. The management DFU demands
multi-speciality approach and often tedious. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a promising adjunctive treatment
used to enhance the healing process plus reduces cost and recovery time. This is a case of a 52 years old lady, with
underlying poorly diabetes mellitus, who presented with diabetic foot ulcer Wagner IV classification in sepsis. She
underwent trans-metatarsal amputation followed by split skin grafting with additional adjunctive HBOT in a tertiary
hospital.
7.Coronavirus Disease-2019: Knowledge and Practices Behaviour of Healthcare Workers at a University Teaching Hospital in Malaysia
Kai Wei Lee ; Abdul Hanif Khan Yusof Khan ; Siew Mooi Ching ; Navin Kumar Devaraj ; Janudin Baharin ; Peck Kee Chia ; Wei Chao Loh ; Anna Misya' ; il Abdul Rashid ; Liyana Najwa Inche Mat ; Wan Aliaa Wan Sulaiman ; Mohd Tawfeq Mohd Noor ; Dhashani Sivaratnam ; Fan Kee Hoo ; Hamidon Basri
Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 2021;17(No.3):149-158
Introduction: Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) was declared a global pandemic in March 2020, with 15 million people have been infected worldwide, and this number is increasing. Our study sought to assess the knowledge
and practice of healthcare workers (HCWs) in a teaching hospital in Malaysia. Methods: This cross-sectional study
was undertaken using online Google form links among HCWs. Knowledge and practice were assessed using a validated questionnaire. The analysis was performed with SPSS version 26. Factors associated with poor knowledge
were analysed using multivariate analysis. Results: A total of 193 HCW responded to our online survey. Majority of
our HCWs were female (74.1%) with a mean age of 32.5 years. We found 53 (27.5%) and 134 (69.4%) of our HCWs
had good knowledge and good practice on COVID-19, respectively. Knowledge gap was identified in the symptomatology, investigation methods and management. Based on multiple logistic regression, determinants of poor knowledge scores were those work as medical attendants (aOR = 3.626; 95% CI = 1.489, 8.834) and nurses (aOR = 4.107;
95% CI = 1.175, 14.358). Conclusion: Around one-third and 70% of our HCWs have good knowledge and practice
of COVID-19 infection respectively. Continuous, specifically targeted and updated medical education, need to be
carried out to improve the knowledge and practice among our HCWs in order to keep abreast of the fast-moving
pace of COVID-19 knowledge development.
8.Health Consequences During Pandemic: A Review
Nazar Mohd Zabadi Mohd Azahar ; Muhammad Amin Ahmad Zaki ; Navin Kumar Devaraj
Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 2021;17(No.3):295-302
COVID-19 pandemic has brought many changes in daily life. The pandemic has affected all populations in the
world and lead to WHO calling for the global action to minimize the spread of this infection. Social distancing, work
from home and movement control order are some of the strategies implemented to mitigate this infectious outbreak.
Health consequences on non-communicable disease, mental health, social crisis among schoolchildren and burnout
among healthcare providers have been affected during the pandemic. This review will provide a brief explanation
on these health consequences of COVID-19 to the population. Future strategies that can be implemented during
pandemic will also be discussed in the review.
9.Spontaneous Subperiosteal Orbital Haemorrhage (SSOH): An Unusual Complication of Acute Coronary Syndrome Treatment
Dhashani Sivaratnam ; Wan Mariny W Md Kasim ; Kirbashini Kanasan ; Ming Teck Yap ; Siew Mooi Ching ; Navin Kumar Devaraj
Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 2021;17(No.4):419-421
Acute coronary syndrome is a medical emergency with a high mortality and morbidity. Reperfusion therapy is widely
used in its management. Ocular complications following reperfusion therapy is rare. A 51-year-old man treated with
streptokinase, antithrombotic and dual antiplatelet therapy, developed mild proptosis following treatment. After four
days, there was sudden worsening of the proptosis associated with orbital compartmental syndrome (OCS). The CT
scan of the orbit showed a large spontaneous subperiosteal orbital hemorrhage (SSOH) occupying half of the left
orbit. Despite performing an urgent lateral canthotomy and inferior cantholysis, the patient developed irreversible
vision loss due to compressive optic neuropathy. While a few cases of mild SSOH have been reported in the medical
literature, this is the first documented case of secondary bleed in SSOH. Early recognition and intervention by the
treating physician, is crucial in preventing blindness.
10.Predictors of acute neurological complication following tetralogy of Fallot operation in Serdang Hospital, Malaysia
Yap Ming Teck ; Putri Yubbu ; Yong Shao Wei ; Hing Wee Ven ; Ong Ying Seang ; Navin Kumar Devaraj ; Ani Suraya Abdul Ghan ; Koh Ghee Tiong ; Hamdan Leman,
The Medical Journal of Malaysia 2020;75(5):495-501
Background: The long waiting time for Tetralogy of Fallot
(TOF) operation may potentially increase the risk of hypoxic
insult. Therefore, the objective of this study is to determine
the frequency of acute neurological complications following
primary TOF repair and to identify the peri-operative risk
factors and predictors for the neurological sequelae.
Methods: A retrospective review of the medical and surgical
notes of 68 patients who underwent TOF repair in Hospital
Serdang, from January 2013 to December 2017 was done.
Univariate and multivariate analyses of demographics and
perioperative clinical data were performed to determine the
risk for the development of acute neurological
complications (ANC) among these patients.
Results: ANC was reported in 13 cases (19.1%) with delirium
being the most common manifestation (10/68, 14.7%),
followed by seizures in 4 (5.9%) and abnormal movements in
two patients (2.9%). Univariate analyses showed that the
presence of right ventricular (RV) dysfunction, prolonged
duration of inotropic support (≥7 days), prolonged duration
of mechanical ventilation (≥7 days), longer length of ICU
stays (≥7 days), and longer length of hospital stay (≥14
days), were significantly associated with the presence of
ANCs (p<0.05). However, multivariate analyses did not show
any significant association between these variables and the
development of ANC (p>0.05). The predictors for the
development of postoperative delirium were pre-operative
oxygen saturation less than 75% (Odds Ratio, OR=16.90,
95% Confidence Interval, 95%CI:1.36, 209.71) and duration of
ventilation of more than 7 days (OR=13.20, 95%CI: 1.20,
144.98).
Conclusion: ANC following TOF repair were significantly
higher in patients with RV dysfunction, in those who
required a longer duration of inotropic support, mechanical
ventilation, ICU and hospital stay. Low pre-operative oxygen
saturation and prolonged mechanical ventilation
requirement were predictors for delirium which was the
commonest neurological complications observed in this
study. Hence, routine screening for delirium using an
objective assessment tool should be performed on these
high-risk patients to enable accurate diagnosis and early
intervention to improve the overall outcome of TOF surgery
in this country


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