Current status and future directions for the diagnosis and management of mild cognitive impairment in Southeast Asia: A SEACURE consensus paper.

Global aging populations are facing increased prevalence of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) - the preclinical stage of dementia characterized by single/multi-domain neurocognitive decline that does not impair an individual's normal daily functioning. Asian populations are at increased risk of developing MCI and dementia, and many cases go undetected in Southeast Asia (SEA), resulting in increased burden on patients, caregivers and national healthcare systems. There is an urgent need for efficient and scalable diagnostic and management strategies across SEA.

Influence of psychosocial and health-seeking behaviour on the risk of falling among persons living with type 2 diabetes in the Malaysian Elders Longitudinal Research (MELoR) cohort.

Background: Older persons with diabetes have an increased falls risk that could lead to serious complications including death.

Aim: To determine the influence of psychosocial factors and health-seeking behaviour on the risk of falling among individuals with type 2 diabetes.

Methods: This prospective study included community-dwelling adults aged ≥55 years selected through stratified random sampling from three neighbouring parliamentary constituencies.

Respiratory Symptoms and Health Outcomes of Rhinovirus and Influenza Virus Infections: Implications of Asthma, Diabetes Mellitus and Allergic Rhinitis in Rhinovirus C Infection.

Rhinovirus (RV), classified into RV-A, RV-B, and RV-C, is a prevalent cause of respiratory tract infections (RTIs). Here, we analysed RV infection and its clinical implications among outpatients with acute upper RTIs. Demographic data, baseline comorbidities, clinical symptoms, and health outcomes of RV-infected patients (n = 849) were compared with influenza (n = 417).

Differential proteomic profiles between cognitive frail and robust older adults from the MELoR cohort.

The present study explored for the first time the blood-based proteomic signature that could potentially distinguish older adults with and without cognitive frailty (CF). The participants were recruited under the Malaysian Elders Longitudinal Research (MELoR) study. Cognition and physical frailty were determined using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and Fried's criteria, respectively.

Corrigendum to "Dementia diagnostic and treatment services in the Western Pacific: challenges, preparedness and opportunities in the face of amyloid-targeting therapies" [The Lancet Regional Health-Western Pacific, Volume 50, September 2024, 101183].

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.lanwpc.

Artificial intelligence driven clustering of blood pressure profiles reveals frailty in orthostatic hypertension.

Gravity, an invisible but constant force , challenges the regulation of blood pressure when transitioning between postures. As physiological reserve diminishes with age, individuals grow more susceptible to such stressors over time, risking inadequate haemodynamic control observed in orthostatic hypotension. This prevalent condition is characterized by drops in blood pressure upon standing; however, the contrary phenomenon of blood pressure rises has recently piqued interest.

Association between weight and body composition changes with falls risk in the Malaysian Elders Longitudinal Research (MELoR) study.

Objective: Both changes in body composition and increased fall risk occur with increasing age. While weight management may be considered a component of falls prevention, the long-term consequences of changes in weight, however, remain uncertain. This prospective study aimed to evaluate the relationship between weight and body composition changes over 5 years with fall occurrence.

Dementia diagnostic and treatment services in the Western Pacific: challenges, preparedness and opportunities in the face of amyloid-targeting therapies.

Here we first review the limited available literature addressing the current landscape of specialist assessment services for dementia and cognitive decline and the preparedness for new amyloid-targeting therapies for Alzheimer's disease across the Western Pacific region. Considering the scarcity of literature, as national representatives of Western Pacific nations we were then guided by the World Health Organization's Global Action Plan on Dementia to provide country-specific reviews. As a whole, we highlight that the existing diverse socioeconomic and cultural landscape across the region poses unique challenges, including varying access to services and marked differences among countries in their preparedness for upcoming amyloid-targeting therapies for Alzheimer's disease.

Faecal intestinal permeability and intestinal inflammatory markers in older adults with age-related disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

This systematic review and meta-analysis appraised previous findings to uncover potential faecal intestinal permeability and intestinal inflammatory markers in older adults. A comprehensive literature search led to the identification of ten eligible studies with findings of potential faecal intestinal permeability (zonulin and alpha-1-antitrypsin) and intestinal inflammatory markers [calprotectin, lactoferrin and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL)]. Most of the cases (n > 2) [Parkinson's disease (PD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD)] exhibited higher faecal alpha-1-antitrypsin, zonulin and calprotectin levels.

The usage of anticholinergic medications in a low- and middle-income country: a longitudinal comparison of 2013-15 and 2020-22 datasets.

Background: While the effects of anticholinergic drug use have been increasingly highlighted, trends in anticholinergic use remain poorly understood.

Aim: To determine the changes in frequency and pattern of anticholinergic drug use within a low- and middle-income country.

Method: Comparisons were made between population-based datasets collected from Malaysian residents aged 55 years and older in 2013-15 and 2020-22.

Combined knee osteoarthritis and diabetes is associated with reduced muscle strength, physical inactivity, and poorer quality of life.

Objective: This study delves into the intriguing connection between knee osteoarthritis and diabetes in Malaysia. Specifically, the exacerbation of knee osteoarthritis in the presence of diabetes in terms of symptoms, physical performance, physical activity, psychological status, social participation, and quality of life was discussed.

Design: This cross-sectional study recruited adults aged 50 and above by convenient sampling and grouped them into: knee osteoarthritis-diabetes-, knee osteoarthritis+diabetes-, knee osteoarthritis-diabetes+, and knee osteoarthritis+diabetes+.

A Meta-Synthesis on Sexuality in Persons with Dementia Mapped Using the Model of Human Occupation.

Dementia affects the individual's functional ability including sexual activity. Limited understanding is available to support sexual health practices. This meta-synthesis review aimed to identify the gaps in the study of sexuality in dementia using the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO).

Predictive value of the World falls guidelines algorithm within the AGELESS-MELoR cohort.

Aim: The World Falls Guidelines (WFG) Task Force published a falls risk stratification algorithm in 2022. However, its adaptability is uncertain in low- and middle-income settings such as Malaysia due to different risk factors and limited resources. We evaluated the effectiveness of the WFG risk stratification algorithm in predicting falls among community-dwelling older adults in Malaysia.

Interprofessional Comparisons in Patient Safety Culture at a Teaching Hospital Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has posed unprecedented challenges with its impact on patient safety culture and staff well-being. This study was to identify potential changes in safety culture among health care workers from before to during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to determine the differences across occupational groups. The Safety Attitudes Questionnaire (SAQ) was administered electronically in both English and Malay languages using the Google Forms platform in 2018 and was repeated in 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Acceptability, feasibility, and effectiveness of WE-SURF™: a virtual supervised group-based fall prevention exercise program among older adults.

Unlabelled: Conducted physically, supervised group-based falls prevention exercise programs have demonstrated effectiveness in reducing the risk of falls among older adults. In this study, we aimed to assess the acceptability, feasibility, and effectiveness of a virtual supervised group-based falls prevention exercise program (WE-SURF™) for community-dwelling older adults at risk of falls.

Method: A preliminary study utilizing virtual discussions was conducted to assess the acceptability of the program among six older adults.

Impact of diabetes mellitus on osteoarthritis: a scoping review on biomarkers.

Osteoarthritis (OA) commonly affects the knee and hip joints and accounts for 19.3% of disability-adjusted life years and years lived with disability worldwide (Refs , ). Early management is important in order to avoid disability uphold quality of life (Ref.

Classification of vasovagal syncope from physiological signals on tilt table testing.

Background: The diagnostic test for vasovagal syncope (VVS), the most common cause of syncope is head-up tilt test (HUTT) assessment. During the test, subjects experienced clinical symptoms such as nausea, sweating, pallor, the feeling of palpitations, being on the verge of passing out, and fainting. The study's goal is to develop an algorithm to classify VVS patients based on physiological signals blood pressure (BP) and electrocardiography (ECG) obtained from the HUTT.

Non-invasive parameters of autonomic function using beat-to-beat cardiovascular variations and arterial stiffness in hypertensive individuals: a systematic review.

Purpose: Non-invasive, beat-to-beat variations in physiological indices provide an opportunity for more accessible assessment of autonomic dysfunction. The potential association between the changes in these parameters and arterial stiffness in hypertension remains poorly understood. This systematic review aims to investigate the association between non-invasive indicators of autonomic function based on beat-to-beat cardiovascular signals with arterial stiffness in individuals with hypertension.

Assessing the efficacy of machine learning algorithms for syncope classification: A systematic review.

Syncope is a transient loss of consciousness with rapid onset. The aims of the study were to systematically evaluate available machine learning (ML) algorithm for supporting syncope diagnosis to determine their performance compared to existing point scoring protocols. We systematically searched IEEE Xplore, Web of Science, and Elsevier for English articles (Jan 2011 - Sep 2021) on individuals aged five and above, employing ML algorithms in syncope detection with Head-up titl table test (HUTT)-monitored hemodynamic parameters and reported metrics.

Knowledge, attitude, and practice of virtual consultation among outpatients at a teaching hospital in Malaysia.

Introduction: During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the use of virtual consultations has accelerated to ensure continued access to healthcare despite lockdowns and physical distancing measures. We aimed to determine the knowledge (awareness) of, attitude (acceptability) to, and practice (exposure) [KAP] of virtual consultations (VC), the demographic factors associated with poor KAP, and the correlation between the three KAP domains.

Methods: A cross-sectional study, using a convenience sampling technique, was conducted from 13 September, 2021 to 28 November, 2021.