Evaluating a multicomponent intervention for managing kidney outcomes among patients with moderate or advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD): protocol for the Strategies for Kidney Outcomes Prevention and Evaluation (SKOPE) randomized controlled trial.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) poses a global health challenge with high morbidity and mortality rates. Early detection and prompt intervention are critical in preventing progression to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) and cardiovascular complications. Effective CKD management requires comprehensive care packages that integrate both pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions within collaborative, team-based models, aiming to enhance patient outcomes and overall quality of life.

Integration of a multicomponent intervention for hypertension into primary healthcare services in Singapore-A cluster randomized controlled trial.

Background: Despite availability of clinical practice guidelines for hypertension management, blood pressure (BP) control remains sub-optimal (<30%) even in high-income countries. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of a potentially scalable multicomponent intervention integrated into primary care system compared to usual care on BP control.

Methods And Findings: A cluster-randomized controlled trial was conducted in 8 government clinics in Singapore.

A Smartphone App-Based Lifestyle Change Program for Prediabetes (D'LITE Study) in a Multiethnic Asian Population: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Introduction: Landmark studies have established that lifestyle interventions focused on weight loss, diet modification and physical activity can prevent diabetes progression. However, the effectiveness of mobile health application among Asians with prediabetes remains largely unexamined. We aimed to assess whether a smartphone app-based lifestyle intervention program would lead to weight loss, normoglycemia and improved metabolic indices in a multiethnic Asian population with prediabetes.

Effect of a Smartphone App on Weight Change and Metabolic Outcomes in Asian Adults With Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Lifestyle interventions are effective in diabetes management, with smartphone apps that manage health data and dietary and exercise schedules gaining popularity. However, limited evidence from randomized clinical trials exists regarding the effectiveness of smartphone-based interventions among Asian adults with type 2 diabetes.

Objective: To compare the effects of a culturally contextualized smartphone-based intervention with usual care on weight and metabolic outcomes.

Management of hypertension and multiple risk factors to enhance cardiovascular health in Singapore: The SingHypertension cluster randomized trial.

Background: Hypertension is a serious public health problem in Singapore and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular disease (CVD) with considerable implications for health-care resources. The goal of the trial is to compare a multicomponent intervention (MCI) to usual care to evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the MCI for lowering blood pressure (BP) among adults with uncontrolled hypertension in Singapore primary-care clinics.

Methods/design: The study is a cluster randomized trial in eight polyclinics in Singapore: four deliver a structured MCI and four deliver usual care.

How effective is acupuncture for reducing pain due to plantar fasciitis?

Introduction: Plantar fasciitis is a commonly seen outpatient condition that has numerous treatment modalities of varying degrees of efficacy. This systematic review aimed to determine the effectiveness of acupuncture in reducing pain caused by plantar fasciitis.

Methods: Online literature searches were performed on the PubMed and Cochrane Library databases for studies on the use of acupuncture for pain caused by plantar fasciitis.

Pilot Evaluation of a Dementia Case Finding Clinical Service Using the Informant AD8 for At-Risk Older Adults in Primary Health Care: A Brief Report.

Background: An AD8 cut-off score of ≥4 has been reported to successfully detect 90% of dementia cases in elderly patients aged 75 years and above.

Objective: We investigated the benefits of a pilot clinical service conducted in primary care that used the AD8 to identify patients with dementia in an at-risk population.

Method: Patients ≥75 years of age were recruited from a primary health care center in Singapore.