Effects of sun exposure on 25(OH) vitamin D concentration in urban and rural women in Malaysia.

Ultraviolet B sunlight exposure is a primary source of vitamin D. There have been reports of low vitamin D status amongst the Malaysian population despite it being a tropical country. This study was conducted to determine the influence of sun exposure on 25(OH)D concentrations in urban and rural women in Malaysia and factors predicting 25(OH)D concentrations.

Prevalence of glucose intolerance, and associated antenatal and historical risk factors among Malaysian women with a history of gestational diabetes mellitus.

Introduction: Women with previous gestational diabetes mellitus (PGDM) are at increased risk of future glucose intolerance. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and the associated antenatal and historical risk factors among women with PGDM.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at University Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Awareness of eye complications and prevalence of retinopathy in the first visit to eye clinic among type 2 diabetic patients.

Aim: To assess the awareness of eye complications and the prevalence of retinopathy, in the first visit to eye clinic, among type 2 diabetic patients attending a tertiary medical centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Methods: An investigator-administered questionnaire was given to 137 patients with diabetes undergoing first time eye screening in the eye clinic. This was followed by a detailed fundus examination by a senior ophthalmologist to assess for presence of retinopathy.

A national database on children and adolescent with diabetes (e-DiCARE): results from April 2006 to June 2007.

In Malaysia, Diabetes in Children and Adolescents Registry (DiCARE) was launched nationwide in August 2006 to determine and monitor the number, the time trend of diabetes mellitus (DM) patients, their socio-demographic profiles, outcome of intervention and facilitate research using this registry. This is an on going real time register of diabetic patients < or = 20 years old via the e-DiCARE, an online registration system. To date were 240 patients notified from various states in Malaysia.

The use of OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination) as an assessment tool--initial experiences at the University of Malaya.

Formative and summative student assessment has always been of concern to medical teachers, and this is especially important at the level of graduating doctors. The effectiveness and comprehensiveness of the clinical training provided is tested with the use of clinical cases, either with real patients who have genuine medical conditions, or with the use of standardised patients who are trained to simulate accurately actual patients. The Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) is one method of assessing the adequacy of clinical skills of medical students, and their level of competence.