Serum Adiponectin Levels and Their Association With Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Patients With Psoriasis.

Background and objective Low adiponectin levels have been described in conditions with high cardiometabolic risk, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, and hyperlipidaemia. Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder, and it is also associated with these conditions. In this study, we sought to assess the correlation between adiponectin levels and these risk factors including psoriasis severity.

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in patients with psoriasis: a cross-sectional study in Singapore.

Introduction: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects the skin and joints, and is associated with cardiovascular risk factors, including metabolic syndrome (MetS). We aimed to assess the prevalence of MetS in patients with psoriasis and determine whether there was a correlation between psoriasis severity and MetS in a Singapore population.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of patients with psoriasis, aged 18-69 years, who attended a tertiary dermatology referral centre in Singapore from October 2007 to February 2009.

Impact of a pharmacy-led smoking cessation clinic in a dermatology centre.

Introduction: Cigarette smoking is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, and has a deleterious effect on dermatological conditions, such as skin cancers, hidradenitis suppurativa and psoriasis. The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a pharmacist-led smoking cessation clinic in reducing cigarette smoking at a tertiary referral dermatology centre. We described the impact of this clinic to provide guidance on how such a model could be further improved and implemented more widely.

Alopecia and the metabolic syndrome.

Hair loss is a common condition that affects most people at some point in their lives. It can exist as an isolated problem or with other diseases and conditions. Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) and its association with the metabolic syndrome (MetS) have received increasing interest since 1972, when the first link between cardiovascular risk factors and hair loss was raised.

CLINICAL EXPERIENCE AND IMPACT OF A COMMUNITY-LED VOLUNTEER ATMOSPHERIC HAZE CLINIC IN SINGAPORE.

The Pollutant Standards Index reached a life-threatening level of 401 in Singapore on 21 June 2013. Grassroot leaders in Ulu Pandan Constituency conducted the first community-led free atmospheric Haze Clinic from 25 June 2013 to 11 July 2013 to provide accessible medical assessment for affected community members. This provided insight into the common conditions afflicting that community during the haze period while allaying public anxiety.

Oral hypoglycaemic agents for diabetes in pregnancy - an appraisal of the current evidence for oral anti-diabetic drug use in pregnancy.

Introduction: The use of oral hypoglycaemic drugs in pregnancy is not recommended because of reports of foetal anomalies and other adverse outcomes in animal studies and in some human cases. However, recent studies have suggested that some oral hypoglycaemic drugs may be used in pregnancy. This review will examine these studies critically.

The impact of central obesity as a prerequisite for the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome.

Objective: To compare the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) defined according to the American Heart Association (AHA)/National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and to determine the effect of the presence of central obesity on the phenotype (insulin resistance and other cardiovascular risk factors) associated with MS.

Research Methods And Procedures: We studied 4723 Chinese, Malays, and Asian Indians living in Singapore. Each individual was categorized according to the five criteria for MS as defined by the AHA/NHLBI and the IDF.