Barriers to Healthcare Access for Indigenous Communities: Insights from Healthcare Professionals.

Background: The indigenous people or 'Orang Asli' (OA) in Malaysia is a vulnerable group who lags behind in terms of socioeconomic, education and health. Despite numerous developments, health disparities still exist among the OA, resulting in varying health outcomes. This study aimed to identify barriers to providing healthcare to OA by healthcare professionals (HCPs) in Malaysia.

Estimated global and regional economic burden of genital herpes simplex virus infection among 15-49 year-olds in 2016.

Background: Globally, herpes simplex virus (HSV)-2 and -1 infections contribute to a large disease burden, but their full economic consequences remain unclear. This study aims to estimate the global economic impact of genital HSV-2 and HSV-1 infection and its consequences for people with genital ulcer disease, neonatal herpes, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection attributable to HSV-2.

Methods: Using a societal perspective, the economic burden was calculated at the country level and presented by World Health Organization (WHO) regions and World-Bank income levels.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of vancomycin therapeutic level for treatment of vancomycin-sensitive enterococcal infections.

Aims: Evidence on the optimal targets of vancomycin for treating other Gram-positive infections apart from methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is lacking. This review aims to identify the recommended vancomycin therapeutic level for favourable clinical outcomes among patients infected with vancomycin-sensitive enterococcal infections.

Methods: Analytical studies describing the vancomycin levels of vancomycin-sensitive enterococcal infections among adult population were searched.

Clinical pharmacist interventions on pain management in cancer patients (PharmaCAP) in low resource settings: a multicenter feasibility-pilot randomized controlled trial.

Introduction: Cancer pain management is frequently insufficient worldwide, especially in low- and middle-income countries where significant challenges related to workforce resources persist. Clinical pharmacists could potentially enhance outcomes in this context, yet their role remains largely unexplored.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the feasibility and acceptability of integrating clinical pharmacists into the multidisciplinary team (MDT) to manage cancer pain and assess preliminary outcomes in cancer patients receiving pain treatment.

A digital health-supported and community pharmacy-based lifestyle intervention program for adults with pre-diabetes: a study protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial.

Introduction: Pre-diabetes indicates an elevated risk of developing type-2 diabetes and presents a window for preventive actions. The Pre-diabetes Intervention, Management and Evaluation (PRIME) programme is a community pharmacy-based pre-diabetes management programme that uses a mobile application for self-monitoring and pre-diabetes education, aiming to promote lifestyle changes among participants with pre-diabetes.

Methods And Analysis: This is a protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial that aims to evaluate the impact of the PRIME programme on participants' clinical outcomes and explore participants' and pharmacists' views towards its implementation.

Efficacy of decision aid delivery modes in prostate cancer screening: umbrella review and network meta-analysis.

Objective: To review and compare the efficacy of different delivery modes of decision aids (DAs), including computer-based, print-based, multimedia-based, video-based, and website-based on decision-making outcomes for prostate cancer screening compared to usual care (UC) and among the delivery modes.

Methods: PubMed, the Excerpta Medica dataBASE (EMBASE), Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Google Advanced Search, and Turning Research Into Practice (TRIP) Database were systematically searched from inception to August 2023. The primary outcomes were knowledge level, knowledge scores, participation in shared decision-making (SDM), decisional conflict, and preference for SDM participation.

Factors influencing healthcare providers' behaviours in deprescribing: a cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Deprescribing serves as a pivotal measure to mitigate the drug-related problem due to polypharmacy. This study aimed to map the factors influencing healthcare providers' deprescribing decision using the Behaviour Change Wheel framework and develop an innovative conceptual model to support deprescribing practice.

Methods: A cross-sectional online survey targeting doctors and pharmacists was conducted to assess the influence of various factors on healthcare providers' comfort in recommending deprescribing.

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.

A Comparison of 2 Paclitaxel-Coated Balloon Systems in Treatment of De Novo Coronary Artery Lesions.

Background: In percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of de novo lesions, drug-coated balloons (DCB) have been shown to be a promising strategy to improve clinical outcomes of patients with small vessel disease. Evidence of this strategy in PCI of de novo coronary lesions in a real-world setting is limited. The objective of this study was to compare the 12-month outcomes of 2 paclitaxel-coated balloon systems for the treatment of all de novo coronary artery lesions.

Comprehensive assessment of pain characteristics, quality of life, and pain management in cancer patients: a multi-center cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Pain is the most common complaint among cancer patients, significantly impairing their health-related quality of life (HRQOL). There is limited evidence on the characteristics of pain among cancer patients in Nepal with low-resource settings.

Objectives: The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical characteristics of pain, factors influencing pain intensity, and the association of pain severity with quality of life (QoL) among cancer patients.

Health Effects of Various Edible Vegetable Oil: An Umbrella Review.

Vegetable oils, derived from diverse sources such as seeds, nuts, and some fruits, play a significant role in dietary health. However, the current evidence on the health effects of different types of vegetable oil consumption remains controversial. This umbrella review aims to synthesize evidence from systematic reviews and meta-analyses to assess the health outcomes associated with various vegetable oils.

The impact of long-term care interventions on healthcare utilisation among older persons: a scoping review of reviews.

Background: As the ageing population grows, the demand for long-term care (LTC) services will rise, concurrently amplifying healthcare utilisation. This review aims to examine and consolidate information on LTC interventions that influence healthcare utilisation among older persons.

Methods: A scoping review was performed through a systematic search in PubMed, EBSCO CINAHL, EBM Reviews - Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Embase, APA PsycInfo, EBM Reviews - Health Technology Assessment, and EBM Reviews - NHS Economic Evaluation Database.

Incremental net monetary benefit of using varenicline for smoking cessation: A systematic review and meta-analysis of economic evaluation studies.

Aims: To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis and pool the incremental net benefits (INBs) of varenicline compared with behaviour support with bupropion or nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), behaviour support alone and unaided cessation in adult smokers making a first-time attempt to quit.

Methods: A search for economic evaluation studies was conducted from inception to 30 September 2022, on PubMed, Embase, Cost-Effectiveness Analysis (CEA) Registry by Tufts Medical Centre, EconLit and the NHS Economic Evaluation Database (NHS EED). Eligible studies were included if they were (1) conducted among adults ages 18 years old and older who were smokers attempting to quit for the first time; (2) compared varenicline to behaviour support with bupropion or NRT, behaviour support alone and unaided cessation; and (3) performed a CEA or cost-utility analysis.

Impact of pharmacist-delivered interventions on pain-related outcomes: An umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

Introduction: Pain is a significant healthcare challenge, impacting millions worldwide. Pharmacists have increasingly taken on expanded roles in managing pain, particularly in primary and ambulatory care contexts. This umbrella review aims to systematically evaluate evidence from published systematic reviews that explore the impact of pharmacist-delivered interventions on clinical, humanistic, and economic outcomes related to pain.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of dapagliflozin for people with chronic kidney disease in Malaysia.

Introduction: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global health concern which results in significant economic burden. Despite this, treatment options are limited. Recently, dapagliflozin has been reported have benefits in people with CKD.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of olaparib maintenance therapy for BRCA mutation ovarian cancer in the public sector in Malaysia.

Introduction: Ovarian cancer is one of the most common cancer among women in Malaysia. Patients with ovarian cancer are often diagnosed at an advanced stage. Despite initial response to surgery and chemotherapy, most patients will experience a relapse.

Work readiness of pharmacy graduates: An exploratory study.

Introduction: The recent global pandemic of Covid-19 caused various disruptions. Among them were face-to-face teaching and learning activities being switched to virtual sessions in accordance with health authorities recommendations. The impact of these changes on work readiness of pharmacy graduates is unknown.

The impact of home-based management of malaria on clinical outcomes in sub-Saharan African populations: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Malaria remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality globally and continues to disproportionately afflict the African population. We aimed to evaluate the effect of home management of malaria intervention on health outcomes.

Methods: In our systematic review and meta-analysis, six databases (Pubmed, Cochrane CENTRAL, EMBASE, CAB Abstracts and Global Health, CINAHL Complete, and BIOSIS) were searched for studies of home management of malaria from inception until November 15, 2023.

What drives low-income older adults' intention to use mobility applications?

Aim: Mobility applications have the potential to support low-income older adults in facing mobility challenges. However, there is a generally lower uptake of technology in this segment. To understand factors affecting the intention to use a mobility app, we drew upon the Protection Motivation Theory, and tested a model of low-income older adults' technology adoption.

Effectiveness of community pharmacist-led interventions in osteoarthritis pain management: A cluster-randomized trial.

Background: Community pharmacists contribute in osteoarthritis management via evidence-based pain management services. However, their roles and impacts on osteoarthritis management in low- and middle-income countries have yet to be explored.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of community pharmacist-led educational intervention and medication review among osteoarthritis patients.

Development of a Malaysian potentially inappropriate prescribing screening tool in older adults (MALPIP): a Delphi study.

Introduction: Polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate medications (PIM) are common among older adults. To guide appropriate prescribing, healthcare professionals often rely on explicit criteria to identify and deprescribe inappropriate medications, or to start medications due to prescribing omission. However, most explicit PIM criteria were developed with inadequate guidance from quality metrics or integrating real-world data, which are rich and valuable data source.

Factors influencing technology use among low-income older adults: A systematic review.

As the world's aging population increases, leveraging technology to support aging is proving advantageous. Notably, technology adoption studies among older adults have received increasing scholarly attention, but findings from these studies do not reflect the context of low-income older adults. Studies focusing on low-income older adults were relatively few and it remains unclear which factors influence this group's technology use.

Impact of deprescribing intervention on potentially inappropriate medications and clinical outcomes among hospitalized older adults in Malaysia: a randomized controlled trial (REVMED RCT) protocol.

Background: Polypharmacy and the use of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) are prevalent among older patients admitted to hospitals, posing a heightened risk of adverse drug events. This trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a pharmacist-led deprescribing intervention in reducing medications, PIM and improving clinical outcomes, using the locally developed Malaysian Potentially Inappropriate Prescribing Screening tool in Older Adults (MALPIP).

Methods: This is an 18-month cluster-randomized, open-label, parallel-arm controlled trial conducted at 14 public hospitals in the Perak state of Malaysia.

SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody bebtelovimab - a systematic scoping review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic is a major global public health crisis. More than 2 years into the pandemic, effective therapeutic options remain limited due to rapid viral evolution. Stemming from the emergence of multiple variants, several monoclonal antibodies are no longer suitable for clinical use.