Exploring Prevalence and Sociodemographic Factors Associated With Smoking Among Malaysian Adults: A Cross- Sectional Study.

Background And Aims: The Malaysian government has implemented various antismoking measures to reduce the incidence of unhealthy lifestyles within the population. This study analyzes the baseline data of the Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology (PURE) study to establish the prevalence of sociodemographic factors that are associated with smoking habits among Malaysian adults.

Methods: This study was carried out in urban and rural communities with adults aged between 35 and 70 years using purposive sampling.

Dietary nutrient intake study among older adults: baseline Malaysian pure study.

Introduction: The older adults (OA) is vulnerable to malnutrition, which may affect their health and quality of life. This study assesses the prevalence of deficiencies in dietary nutrients among the Malaysian OA stratified by residency, genders, socioeconomic status (SES) and body mass index (BMI).

Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted, utilizing purposive sampling, recruiting 2,299 Malaysian people aged 60 years old and above who agreed to be interviewed via a comprehensive semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire.

A cross-sectional analysis of the PURE study on minerals intake among Malaysian adult population with hypertension.

Hypertension (HPT) is the leading modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and premature death worldwide. Currently, attention is given to various dietary approaches with a special focus on the role of micronutrient intake in the regulation of blood pressure. This study aims to measure the dietary intake of selected minerals among Malaysian adults and its association with HPT.

Depressive symptoms among adults: Baseline findings of PURE Malaysia cohort study.

Introduction: In Malaysia, the prevalence of depression has increased from 1.8 % to 2.3 % within a decade.

Prevalence and Factors Associated with Prehypertension and Hypertension Among Adults: Baseline Findings of PURE Malaysia Cohort Study.

Background: Although prehypertension and hypertension can be detected at the primary healthcare level and low-cost treatments can effectively control its complications, hypertension is still the world's leading preventable risk factor. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine its prevalence and its risk factors among Malaysian adults.

Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 7585 adults was performed covering the rural and urban areas.

Validation and the associated factors of the Malay version of systemic lupus erythematosus-specific health-related quality of life questionnaires (SLEQoL and LupusQoL).

Objectives: To assess the reliability and validity of two disease-specific questionnaires that assess the quality of life (QoL) among patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE); SLEQoL and LupusQoL in Malay language. This study also identified the factors affecting each domain of the questionnaires.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from June 2021 until April 2022, and SLE patients were recruited to complete the SLEQoL, LupusQoL and Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) in Malay language.

Prediction of Lung Function Status Using Handgrip Strength and Anthropometry among the Healthy Malay Population in Malaysia.

Lung function depends primarily on the strength of the intercostal muscles and the diaphragm, which is indirectly related to handgrip strength (HGS). This study aims to determine the predictability of lung functions using HGS among healthy adults of Malay ethnicity in Malaysia. This study also aims to compare the equation using HGS with equations without HGS, such as the Global Lung Initiative (GLI).

Normative reference values and predicting factors of handgrip strength for dominant and non-dominant hands among healthy Malay adults in Malaysia.

Introduction: Handgrip strength (HGS) measures the maximum voluntary force of the hand, which has been used to assess individual health status indirectly. Although several factors related to HGS have been identified, studies among adults in Malaysia are lacking. This study aimed to provide the normative reference HGS values and determine its predictor factors among healthy adults of Malay ethnic in Malaysia.

New insights of minimum requirement on legumes (Fabaceae sp.) daily intake in Malaysia.

Background: Despite their low energy density and high nutrient content, legumes may be under-recognised as a beneficial food for the prevention and management of obesity and related diseases, such as cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study aims to analyse the moderation effect of legume intake on the relationship between BMI and the prevalence of CVD among the Malaysian adult population.

Methods: This study addressed communities of urban and rural Malaysia, including adults aged between 35 and 70 years old at the baseline recruitment.

Brief Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy and Its Effects on Negative and Positive Emotions Among Healthy Working Adults: A Feasibility Study.

Background: The primary purpose of this study is to examine the feasibility of a short-term virtual reality exposure therapy among healthy working adults sample. The secondary aim is to measure the effect of virtual reality exposure therapy on negative and positive emotions by comparing it to the standard stress management program and the wait-list groups.

Methods: We enrolled 67 participants allocated into 3 groups to receive virtual reality exposure therapy, standard stress management, or wait-list group.

Assessing Factors Associated with Non-Fatal Injuries from Road Traffic Accidents among Malaysian Adults: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of the PURE Malaysia Study.

Unlabelled: Non-fatal injuries (NFIs) due to road traffic accidents (RTAs) are a public health problem worldwide that significantly impacts the population morbidity and healthcare costs. As the demands for vehicles in developing countries, such as Malaysia, is increasing annually, the present study aims to determine the prevalence and factors associated with NFIs due to RTAs among Malaysia's adult population.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving 15,321 participants from the Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiological (PURE) study conducted in Malaysia.

Missed Appointments at a Child Development Centre and Barriers to Access Special Needs Services for Children in Klang Valley, Malaysia: A Mixed Methods Study.

Attending appointments is vital for children with special needs, as such appointments involve long-term interdisciplinary care to ensure continuity of care and improve health and well-being. This study was performed to determine the prevalence of missed clinic appointments and identify the factors among those who have ever missed appointments and barriers of access to children's special needs services at the Child Development Centre (CDC) at the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC). Moreover, suggestions for improvement from the caregivers' perspectives were explored.

Somatic mitochondrial DNA mutations in different grades of glioma.

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) alterations play an important role in the multistep processes of cancer development. Gliomas are among the most diagnosed brain cancer. The relationship between mtDNA alterations and different grades of gliomas are still elusive.

Prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea in an Asian bariatric population: an underdiagnosed dilemma.

Background: Obesity is a growing health problem that has become a global epidemic. Serial population studies have shown the same in Malaysia, where the prevalence of obesity increased rapidly in the last decade. Currently, bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment in patients with morbid obesity.

The effect of weight loss intervention programme on health-related quality of life among low income overweight and obese housewives in the MyBFF@home study.

Background: Obesity is an emerging global public health concern as it is related to chronic diseases and its impact to health related quality of life. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of weight reduction on health related quality of life (HRQOL) among obese and overweight housewives.

Methods: Data on 123 obese and overweight housewives in the intervention group from the MyBFF@home study were utilised.

Predictors of postpartum weight retention among urban Malaysian mothers: A prospective cohort study.

Background: Women of childbearing age are predisposed to becoming overweight or obese. This study determines the mean, prevalence and factors associated with 6 months postpartum weight retention among urban Malaysian mothers.

Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted at baseline (after delivery), 2, 4 and 6 months postpartum.

Mitochondrial DNA Mutations in Grade II and III Glioma Cell Lines Are Associated with Significant Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Higher Oxidative Stress.

The role of mitochondria in tumorigenesis has regained much attention as it could dysregulate cellular energetics, oxidative stress and apoptosis. However, the role of mitochondria in different grade gliomasis still unknown. This study aimed to identify mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequence variations that could possibly affect the mitochondrial functions and also the oxidative stress status.

A 19-Gene expression signature as a predictor of survival in colorectal cancer.

Background: Histopathological assessment has a low potential to predict clinical outcome in patients with the same stage of colorectal cancer. More specific and sensitive biomarkers to determine patients' survival are needed. We aimed to determine gene expression signatures as reliable prognostic marker that could predict survival of colorectal cancer patients with Dukes' B and C.

Thickened carotid intima media thickness and carotid atherosclerosis among lupus nephritis patients: the role of traditional and lupus-specific factors.

Aim: The objectives of this study were to investigate the frequency of thickened carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) and atherosclerosis among lupus nephritis (LN) patients and to study their associated risk factors.

Method: In this cross-sectional study, carotid ultrasonography was performed on consecutive LN patients to determine CIMT and presence of carotid plaques. CIMT was considered to be abnormally thickened if it was more than the 75th percentile matched for age and sex from the 'Carotid Atherosclerosis Progression Study'.