Factors influencing treatment outcomes in patients with isoniazid-resistant pulmonary TB.

Patients with isoniazid (H, INH) resistant pulmonary TB but undetected rifampicin (R, RIF) resistance are treated with a 6-month regimen of levofloxacin-RIF-ethambutol-pyrazinamide (6LvxREZ) under India´s National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP). To describe the profile of and treatment outcomes in patients with pulmonary INH-resistant (INH) TB initiated on TB treatment, and identify factors associated with unfavourable treatment outcomes (died, failed, treatment changed, lost to follow-up). This was a retrospective analysis of NTEP database (Ni-kshay) on pulmonary INH TB patients initiated on treatment with "H mono/poly regimen" (6LvxREZ) between July 2019 and June 2020 with documented treatment outcomes.

WHO/INRUD Core drug use indicators and commonly prescribed medicines: a National Survey from Sri Lanka.

Background: Identification of internationally comparable indicators of medicines use are important for a country to implement strategies and regulations to improve usage of medicines. Sri Lanka established a new National Medicines Regulatory Authority in 2015 and this survey evaluated the medication use indicators in Sri Lanka, according to the International Network on Rational Use of Drugs (INRUD), prior to its implementation.

Methods: This descriptive-cross-sectional study was conducted in 80 pharmacies, representing all 25 districts of the country.

Design and docking studies of peptide inhibitors as potential antiviral drugs for dengue virus ns2b/ns3 protease.

Dengue virus (DENV), one of the members of genus Flavivirus is emerging as a global threat to human health. It had led to the emergence of dengue fever (flu-like illness), dengue shock syndrome, and the most severe dengue hemorrhagic fever (severe dengue with bleeding abnormalities). As Dengue hemorrhage diseases are the life-threatening ones, attempts are being made worldwide to design inhibitors for DENV-2 NS2B-NS3 protease.

Quality of life in pathological gamblers in a multiethnic Asian setting.

Introduction: Few studies have examined the impact of pathological gambling on quality of life especially in the Asian context. The aim of the current study was to examine the quality of life in pathological gamblers in a multiracial population in Singapore and we hypothesised that those with pathological gambling would have poorer quality of life as compared to controls.

Materials And Methods: Forty subjects with "compulsive gambling behaviour" were recruited and matched (for gender and age) with 40 controls.

Induction of oxidative stress and histopathological changes by sub-chronic doses of triazophos.

The effect of triazophos (O, O-diethyl O-1-phenyl-1 H-1, 2, 4-triazol-3-yl phosphorothioate), a widely used insecticide was studied on the induction of oxidative stress and histological alterations at sub-chronic doses in male albino rats. Oral administration of triazophos at concentrations of 1.64, 3.

Performance measures for mental healthcare in Singapore.

Mental disorders are both common and costly. The mental health system in Singapore lacks co-ordination as well as being underdeveloped in certain areas. To address these gaps as well to face emerging challenges like an ageing population, and other socioeconomic changes, the Ministry of Health of Singapore has commissioned a Committee to formulate a 5-year Mental Health Policy and Blueprint.

Prevalence and correlates of excessive Internet use among youth in Singapore.

Introduction: There has been an explosive growth of Internet usage worldwide and this is expected to continue with its use becoming an integral part of everyday life. The Internet provides tremendous educational benefits; however, excessive Internet use can lead to negative outcomes such as poor school performance and social isolation.

Materials And Methods: The survey consisted of a 69-item, anonymous, self-administered paper-and-pencil questionnaire.

Concomitant use of midazolam and buprenorphine and its implications among drug users in Singapore.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and characteristics of benzodiazepine (BZD) abuse among intravenous opioid users in Singapore.

Materials And Methods: Eligibility criteria for inclusion in this study were all intravenous buprenorphine abusers, who presented to the Community Addictions Management Programme (CAMP) over a 1-year period from February 2005 to January 2006. One hundred and twenty subjects, who consented to the study, completed an interviewer-administered questionnaire and underwent blood test for blood-borne viral infections.

Co-sleeping and clinical correlates in children seen at a child guidance clinic.

Introduction: Co-sleeping or bed-sharing is a common practice that has been little researched. While often viewed as being "cultural" in nature, there is a suggestion that it may be a parental response to sleep problems. Some studies link co-sleeping with behavioural and temperamental difficulties.

Socio-demographic profile and help-seeking behaviour of buprenorphine abusers in Singapore.

Introduction: The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved buprenorphine or Subutex for the treatment of opiate dependence in October 2002. Buprenorphine is a partial agonist of the mu-opioid receptor; although initial animal research suggested a low abuse potential for buprenorphine, it was subsequently shown to have an abuse potential similar to that of morphine or hydromorphone. The objectives of this study were to establish the sociodemographic profile and help-seeking behaviour of buprenorphine abusers attending the deaddiction treatment clinics of the Community Addictions Management Programme.

Clinical and social correlates of duration of untreated psychosis in first-episode psychosis patients.

Introduction: This study aims to examine the socio-demographic and clinical correlates of the duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) in first-episode psychosis patients in an Asian country.

Material And Methods: Three hundred thirty-four patients from the Early Psychosis Intervention Programme (EPIP) of Singapore were recruited for the study. Socio-demographic data were collected and patients were diagnosed using SCID I (Structural Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders).

Reducing the duration of untreated psychosis and changing help-seeking behaviour in Singapore.

Aim: This study was conducted to examine the impact of early detection strategies of an early psychosis intervention programme on the duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) and the pattern of help-seeking behaviour.

Method: Patients with first-episode psychosis were compared before and after the initiation of a programme of public education and networking with primary health care providers. These two groups were compared on the DUP and the change in the pattern of help-seeking.

Brief communication: factors affecting rehospitalisation in psychiatric patients in Singapore.

Objectives: To study the patterns of readmission in Singapore using a cohort of first admission schizophrenia patients to the state mental health institute.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of case records was done of first admission schizophrenia patients to the hospital from April 1993 to March 1994. Patients who had only one admission in the five years of follow up were compared to 'revolving door patients'.

Determinants of duration of untreated psychosis and the pathway to care in Singapore.

Introduction: Delays in providing effective treatment for a patient with psychosis has significant negative effects on the outcome. This includes more hospitalizations, longer periods of inpatient care, slower and less complete recovery, and more frequent relapses. In this study, we established the Duration of Psychosis (DUP) in a sample of patients with first-episode psychosis and examined the pathways to care.

Prolonged QTc intervals in medicated patients with schizophrenia.

Psychotropic drugs have been associated with sudden deaths and the lengthening of corrected-QT interval (QTc) on the electrocardiogram which may be a precursor of life-threatening arrhythmias as reported with some of these drugs. The objectives of this study were to measure the frequency of QTc lengthening in patients with schizophrenia receiving psychotropic drugs, and to assess whether QTc lengthening was associated with certain psychotropic drugs and other risk factors. One hundred and sixty three patients with schizophrenia (104 males and 59 females) were included in the study.