Development and Validation of USM-Insulin Adherence Module for Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Background: Many patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) do not achieve the desired glycaemic control despite being treated with insulin. Studies found this due to an improper understanding of insulin function, its intensification process and patients' negative perspective on insulin. We developed an education module to enhance adherence to insulin therapy.

Insulin Adherence and Associated Factors in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Treated in Klang Primary Health Care Centres.

Background: Insulin therapy is necessary for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) to reach the targeted glycaemic level and prevent complications. This study aimed to determine the proportion of adherence to insulin therapy and the associated factors in patients with T2DM.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 249 patients with T2DM who had been on insulin therapy for at least 2 months in primary care centres of the Ministry of Health in Klang, Malaysia.

Achievement of LDL Cholesterol Goal and Adherence to Statin by Diabetes Patients in Kelantan.

Background: Statins are a class of potent drugs that can be used to reduce cholesterol, especially low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). However, their effectiveness is limited if adherence to treatment is poor. The objectives of the study are to estimate the proportion of diabetic patient who has achieved LDL-C goal and to determine the association of LDL-C achievement with socio demographic factors and statin therapy adherence.

Exploring CYP2B6 activity by measuring the presence ofnevirapine hydroxy metabolites in plasma.

Background/aim: Nevirapine is a reverse-transcriptase inhibitor widely used in combination therapy to treat HIV infection. Nevirapine is extensively metabolized in the liver and CYP2B6 is mainly responsible for oxidation of 3-hydroxynevirapine (3-OH NVP). This study aims to explore CYP2B6 activity by measuring 2-hydroxynevirapine (2-OH NVP) and 3-OH NVP in plasma and to identify factors associated with nevirapine pharmacokinetic parameters.

Population pharmacokinetics of nevirapine in Malaysian HIV patients: a non-parametric approach.

Aims: Nevirapine is the first non-nucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitor approved and is widely used in combination therapy to treat HIV-1 infection. The pharmacokinetics of nevirapine was extensively studied in various populations with a parametric approach. Hence, this study was aimed to determine population pharmacokinetic parameters in Malaysian HIV-infected patients with a non-parametric approach which allows detection of outliers or non-normal distribution contrary to the parametric approach.

Validity and reliability of the Malay version of the Structured Migraine Interview (SMI) Questionnaire.

Background: The Structured Migraine Interview (SMI) is a valid and reliable instrument for migraine diagnosis. However, a Malay version of the SMI is not available to be applied to the local Malaysian population. This study was designed to access the validity and reliability of a new Malay version of the SMI questionnaire.

Quality of life and migraine disability among female migraine patients in a tertiary hospital in Malaysia.

Background: Disability caused by migraine may be one of the main causes of burden contributing to poor quality of life (QOL) among migraine patients. Thus, this study aimed to measure QOL among migraine sufferers in comparison with healthy controls.

Methods: Female diagnosed migraine patients (n= 100) and healthy controls (n=100) completed the Malay version of the World Health Organization QOL Brief (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaire.

Adherence to capecitabine treatment and contributing factors among cancer patients in Malaysia.

Ensuring adherence to chemotherapy is important to prevent disease progression, prolong survival and sustain good quality of life. Capecitabine is a complex chemotherapeutic agent with many side effects that might affect patient adherence to treatment. This cross sectional study aimed to determine adherence to capecitabine and its contributing factors among cancer outpatients in Malaysia.

Validity and reliability of the Bahasa Melayu version of the Migraine Disability Assessment questionnaire.

Background: The study was designed to determine the validity and reliability of the Bahasa Melayu version (MIDAS-M) of the Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) questionnaire.

Methods: Patients having migraine for more than six months attending the Neurology Clinic, Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia, were recruited. Standard forward and back translation procedures were used to translate and adapt the MIDAS questionnaire to produce the Bahasa Melayu version.

Development and validation of a new Prescription Quality Index.

Aims: The aims were to develop and validate a new Prescription Quality Index (PQI) for the measurement of prescription quality in chronic diseases.

Methods: The PQI were developed and validated based on three separate surveys and one pilot study. Criteria were developed based on literature search, discussions and brainstorming sessions.