Optimising care: Impact of regular nephrologist appointments on clinical outcome for chronic kidney disease patients in primary care.

Introduction: The rise in the cases of chronic kidney disease (CKD) with the increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension is a major public health concern in Malaysia. This results in the many cases of chronic kidney disease being managed in primary healthcare clinics. This study examines the pre- and post-clinical outcomes of scheduled nephrologist visits on CKD patients in a primary health care clinic in Ipoh, Perak.

Prevalence of limited health literacy and its associated factors in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Perak, Malaysia: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: Limited health literacy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) led to poorer diabetes knowledge, less medication adherence and increased healthcare cost. The purpose of this paper was to report the prevalence of limited health literacy in patients with T2DM and to identify factors that are associated with it.

Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to March 2018; data on patients' sociodemographic characteristics, diabetes knowledge, perceived social support and health literacy level were collected.

Prevalence and risk factors of postpartum depression, general depressive symptoms, anxiety and stress (PODSAS) among mothers during their 4-week postnatal follow-up in five public health clinics in Perak: A study protocol for a cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Postpartum depression, general depressive symptoms, anxiety and stress (PODSAS) are often overlooked, and may cause morbidity to new mothers, their babies and families. This study aims to determine the point prevalence of depression (post partum and general), anxiety and stress among mothers in five public health clinics in Perak at 4 weeks postdelivery and identify their associated risk factors. Findings from this study will be used to identify the needs for early screening and detection, encourage development of interventions to reduce its occurrence and support mothers with PODSAS.

Barriers to implementing a national health screening program for men in Malaysia: An online survey of healthcare providers.

Introduction: This study aimed to determine the views and practices of healthcare providers and barriers they encountered when implementing the national health screening program for men in a public primary care setting in Malaysia.

Methods: An online survey was conducted among healthcare providers across public health clinics in Malaysia. All family medicine specialists, medical officers, nurses and assistant medical officers involved in the screening program for adult men were invited to answer a 51-item questionnaire via email or WhatsApp.

Evaluation of Methadone Treatment in Malaysia: Findings from the Malaysian Methadone Treatment Outcome Study (MyTOS).

Background: Opioid misuse and dependence is a global issue with a huge negative impact. In Malaysia, heroin is still the main illicit drug used, and methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) has been used since 2005.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of MMT.

A case study of human immunodeficiency virus with positive seroconversion to negative.

This case study demonstrates a 36-year-old ex-intravenous drug user (IVDU) who had been initially tested positive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) twice using Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA) method (Particle agglutination, PA done), but a year later he was tested HIV-negative. The patient was asymptomatic for HIV and T helper cells (CD4) count remained stable throughout this period. In light of this case, there may be a need to retest by molecular methods for high risk category patients who were initially diagnosed HIV-positive, but later showing an unexpected clinical course, such as a rising or stable CD4 titre over the years.

Maternal Mortality Review: A Case of Pulmonary Haemorrhage Due to Ruptured Lung Haemangioma Secondary to Ghon's Focus Invasion.

Haemangioma can be present in the lung but rarely causes complications unless there is a bleed. Ghon's focus is a result of post primary tuberculosis. It is a caseating granuloma which invades the surrounding tissue.

Genotoxicological Evaluation of NUTRALYS Pea Protein Isolate.

NUTRALYS Pea Protein Isolate, a protein supplement, is a high-quality source of protein which is primarily emulsifying functional protein. We evaluated the genotoxic potential of NUTRALYS isolated from dry yellow pea, using three established genotoxicity tests (AMES test in vitro chromosomal aberration test, and in vivo micronucleus test) employing OECD guidelines under GLP conditions. In the bacterial reverse mutation test, NUTRALYS did not show positive responses in strains detecting point and frame shift mutations.

Effective implementation of a structured psychoeducation programme among caregivers of patients with schizophrenia in the community.

Background: Psychoeducation has shown promising benefits in managing patients with schizophrenia. In Malaysia, the use of psychoeducation is rather limited and its impact indeterminate.

Aims: To assess the effectiveness of a structured psychoeducation programme for the community in improving caregiver knowledge, decreasing caregivers' burden, reducing patients' readmission and defaulter follow up rates.

Co-infection of dengue virus and chikungunya virus in two patients with acute febrile illness.

During an outbreak of chikungunya in a dengue hyperendemic area within the Kinta district of Perak, two patients with acute febrile illness were laboratory confirmed to have co-infection of both dengue and chikungunya viruses in their blood. The concomitant presence of two types of viruses transmitted by the same vector in a susceptible population contributed to the resultant event. A good understanding of virus vector ecology in association with population dynamics and wider application of improved laboratory techniques by using different cell-lines suited for optimal replication of each type of virus and the correct utilization of powerful molecular techniques will enhance accurate diagnosis of these infectious diseases.

Outbreak of chikungunya due to virus of Central/East African genotype in Malaysia.

Chikungunya is an acute febrile illness caused by an alphavirus which is transmitted by infective Aedes mosquitoes. Two previous outbreaks of chikungunya in Malaysia were due to chikungunya virus of Asian genotype. The present outbreak involved two adjoining areas in the suburb of Ipoh city within the Kinta district of Perak, a state in the northern part of Peninsular Malaysia.