Awareness, perception and barriers to seeking information from online academic databases and medical journals as sources of information.

Medical students' use of online medical journals as a source of information is crucial in the learning pathway to become medical doctors. We conducted a cross-sectional survey study among University medical students between December 2012 and March 2013 to assess their awareness, perceived usefulness, practices, and barriers to seeking information from online academic databases and medical journals. The response rate was 67.

Performance of transient elastography (TE) and factors associated with discordance in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Objective: To determine the accuracy of transient elastography (TE) and factors associated with discordance between TE and liver histology in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Methods: The accuracy of TE was assessed and compared with the aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI) in patients with histologically proven NAFLD. Factors associated with discordance between liver histology and TE were analyzed.

Increased fracture risk and osteoporosis not associated with vitamin D levels in Malaysian patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Introduction: Osteoporosis and osteopenia are well-recognized complications of inflammatory bowel disease. Previous studies have suggested that vitamin D deficiency is an important risk factor for the development of osteoporosis. We hypothesized that low vitamin D levels is the main reason for reduced bone mineral density in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Performance of emergency physicians in point-of-care echocardiography following limited training.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate if emergency medicine trainees with a short duration of training in echocardiography could perform and interpret bedside-focused echocardiography reliably on emergency department patients.

Methods: Following a web-based learning module and 3 h of proctored practical training, emergency medicine trainees were evaluated in technical and interpretative skills in estimating left ventricular function, detection of pericardial effusion and inferior vena cava (IVC) diameter measurements using bedside-focused echocardiography on emergency department patients. An inter-rater agreement analysis was performed between the trainees and a board-certified cardiologist.

Physical, psychological and sexual effects in multi-ethnic Malaysian women who have undergone hysterectomy.

Aim: The postoperative effects on Asian women after hysterectomy have not been fully explored. This study was undertaken to investigate the physical, psychological and sexual functioning effects in multi-ethnic Malaysian women who have undergone hysterectomy.

Material And Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted on women who underwent hysterectomy at the Gynecological Outpatient Clinic, University of Malaya Medical Center between November 2008 and October 2009.

Screening for colorectal neoplasias with fecal occult blood tests: false-positive impact of non-dietary restriction.

Objective: Screening for colorectal cancer using guaiac-based fecal occult blood tests (gFOBT) is well established in Western populations, but is hampered by poor patient compliance due to the imposed dietary restrictions. Fecal immunochemical tests (FIT) do not require dietary restriction, but are more expensive than gFOBT and therefore restrict its use in developing countries in Asia. However, Asian diets being low in meat content may not require diet restriction for gFOBT to achieve equivalent results.

Glycated haemoglobin is a good predictor of neonatal hypoglycaemia in pregnancies complicated by diabetes.

We investigated the usefulness of a single value of maternal HbA1c in late pregnancy as a predictor for neonatal hypoglycaemia and secondly, to find the appropriate threshold value. A prospective analysis of the HbA1c concentration between 36 to 38 weeks of gestation in 150 pregnant mothers with either pre-existing or gestational diabetes was performed. At delivery, glucose levels in the cord blood were analysed.

Impact of socio-economic class on colorectal cancer patient outcomes in Kuala Lumpur and Kuching, Malaysia.

Objective: Research over the past several decades has indicated that low socioeconomic class has a direct effect on health outcomes. In Malaysia, class distribution may differ with the region. The objective of this study was to compare the presentation and survival of colorectal cancer patients in two dissimilar cities, Kuala Lumpur and Kuching, Sarawak.

A comparative study on the accuracy of noninvasive thermometers.

Background: This study assessed the concordance of the temperatures of the digital, liquid crystal forehead and digital infrared tympanic thermometers with the mercury in glass thermometer.

Methods: Temperatures in degrees celsius were taken simultaneously using the four thermometers in 207 patients at the casualty department of a Malaysian hospital. The Bland Altman statistical test was used to assess the concordance by the 95% limits of agreement between the three newer thermometers and the mercury in glass thermometer.

Macrosomia is the only reliable predictor of shoulder dystocia in babies weighing 3.5 kg or more.

Objective: To determine if shoulder dystocia can be predicted in babies born weighing 3.5 kg or more.

Study Design: A case-control study nested in a perinatal database of 899 mothers and their babies who weighed 3.