Publications by authors named "Siew Mooi Ching"
Migraine is a common neurological disorder that presents considerable challenges to healthcare systems worldwide. These changes are especially relevant in rapidly developing regions such as Asia, with an increasingly productive population and ongoing advancements in healthcare systems and infrastructure. Despite its substantial impact, migraine management remains inadequate, potentially due to deficiencies in medical education.
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- * The study identified key risk factors for peripheral neuropathy, including diabetes, age over 50, low education level, male gender, and hypertension.
- * Researchers emphasize the importance of proactive screening for peripheral neuropathy among healthcare providers to avoid complications, especially in those at higher risk.
Background: Little is known on the prospective associations between an empirically derived dietary pattern (DP) and life satisfaction among adolescents. This PUTRA-Adol follow-up study aimed to assess the prospective associations between the empirically derived DP and life satisfaction during adolescence.
Methods: A total of 585 and 262 adolescents participated in the baseline PUTRA-Adol study in 2016 and PUTRA-Adol follow-up study in 2019-2020, respectively.
Article Synopsis
- * Over 90% recognized that high salt intake poses health risks, yet only about one-third connected it to strokes and heart failure; differences in KAP were noted among ethnicities, particularly with Indians showing better practices.
- * Findings highlight the need for tailored educational strategies to enhance understanding of salt labeling and reduce high blood pressure, emphasizing the importance of culturally specific approaches.
Introduction: The beneficial effects of using antidepressants in improving functional dyspepsia (FD) symptoms have been reported in previous meta-analyses; however, the results have not been conclusive. The aim was to perform an updated meta-analysis coupled with trial sequential analysis (TSA) to assess the efficacy of the use of any antidepressants in the treatment of FD in adults.
Methods: Electronic databases were searched up to March 2024 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) recruiting adults with FD.
Purpose: The use of topical corticosteroids (TCSs) has become an efficient, less-invasive treatment for phimosis. Whether any significant difference in efficacy exists between TCSs based on their potency is unclear.
Methods: Electronic databases were searched up to March 2024 for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the use of any type or concentration of TCSs with placebo or no treatment in boys with any degree of physician diagnosed phimosis.
Article Synopsis
- Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis is a serious autoimmune disorder caused by the immune system attacking NMDA receptors in the brain, and there has been a lack of comprehensive studies on its prevalence and associated factors.
- This study aimed to assess how common anti-NMDAR encephalitis is among patients with certain medical conditions and identify risk factors associated with it.
- The results revealed that about 7% of patients with related medical conditions were affected, with those experiencing a first episode of psychosis or schizophrenia being significantly more at risk.
Background: As the recognition of psychological factors in chronic illness management grows, this study examined the interplay of psychological traits - grit, self-efficacy, resilience, and nature-relatedness - and their collective impact on the Quality of Life (QoL) among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Malaysia.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 222 patients with RA at a private hospital in Malaysia. Utilizing validated scales, including the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, Short Grit Scale, Nature Relatedness Scale, and Arthritis Self Efficacy Scale, data were collected.
Introduction: Malaysia is one of the hardest-hit countries by COVID-19 in Asia. The rapidly rising number of cases had sparked fear among healthcare providers. This study aimed to assess the determinants of fear towards COVID-19 among healthcare providers in primary care settings.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHypertension, defined as persistently elevated systolic blood pressure (SBP) >140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) at least 90 mmHg (International Society of Hypertension guidelines), affects over 1.5 billion people worldwide. Hypertension is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) events (e.
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- A study was conducted to evaluate the factors contributing to burnout among healthcare providers in primary care settings in Selangor, Malaysia, involving 1280 participants and using the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory.
- Findings revealed that personal burnout affected 41.7% of participants, work-related burnout 32.2%, and client-related burnout 14.5%, with various determinants identified for each type of burnout, such as age, occupation, stress levels, and sleep quality.
- The study emphasizes the importance of addressing the mental and emotional health of healthcare workers, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, to mitigate burnout risks.
Introduction: Booster vaccination has been shown to reduce transmission and serious infection with COVID-19. This study examined the willingness to receive a COVID-19 booster vaccine and its associated factors among high-risk patients at Klinik Kesihatan Putrajaya Presint 9.
Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted among patients aged >18 years attending Klinik Kesihatan Putrajaya Presint 9 with a high risk of contracting COVID-19 recruited via systematic random sampling.
Article Synopsis
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a significant health concern, particularly for individuals with hypertension, as over 50% of hypertensive patients are affected by it, yet there’s limited research on this relationship.
- This study conducted in Sarawak screened 410 hypertensive patients using the STOP-Bang questionnaire and found a prevalence of 54.4% for probable OSA, highlighting the need for awareness among healthcare providers.
- Factors such as smoking, being a retiree, and belonging to the Chinese ethnicity were found to significantly increase the likelihood of having probable OSA, suggesting targeted interventions may be necessary to manage this risk in hypertensive patients.
The burden of hypertension has been growing over recent decades. In addition to risk of stroke and cardiovascular disease development, data indicates that hypertension may also pose a hazard to the quality of life (QoL) of individuals. Patient reported outcomes such as QoL are often overlooked, with physicians and healthcare professionals not routinely evaluating or customizing treatments according to QoL.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: The provision of a satisfactory service by community healthcare centres in China plays an important role in the prevention and control of communicable diseases, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there is a lack of study in this field. This study aimed to determine the level of patient satisfaction with primary healthcare services in China and its associated factors during the COVID-19 pandemic.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: From early 2020, Malaysia had to implement nationwide lockdowns, quarantines, and other social distancing practices to contain the spread of COVID-19 virus, leading to symptoms of psychosocial burnout among the people. The aim of the present research is to develop and validate a Malay language version of the COVID-19 Burnout Scale (M-COVID-19-BS).
Methods: This three-phase study was conducted among Malaysian population.
Most studies reporting prevalence of obesity use actual weight and height measurements. Self-reported weight and height have been used in epidemiological studies as they have been shown to be reliable, convenient, and inexpensive alternatives to actual measurements. However, the accuracy of self-reported weight and height might vary in different regions because of the difference in health awareness and social influences.
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- Non-adherence to antihypertensive medications is a significant issue, contributing to uncontrolled hypertension, especially in Sarawak, Malaysia, where research on its causes is limited.
- A cross-sectional study involving 488 patients revealed a 39.3% rate of medication non-adherence, with factors such as higher education, alternative medication use, and specific blood pressure medications influencing this behavior.
- The study highlights the need for primary care physicians to proactively identify patients at risk of non-adherence and implement early interventions to improve blood pressure management.
Background: Over 50% of women with a history of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) will develop type 2 diabetes (T2D) in later life. Asian women experience a disproportionate risk of both GDM and T2D compared to women from other ethnic backgrounds. Lifestyle interventions and behavior change can delay or even prevent the onset of T2D.
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- The study investigates the prevalence of psychological distress, including depression, anxiety, and stress, among patients with hypertension in a primary care setting.
- Conducted with 391 patients, the findings reveal that 28.8% experienced psychological distress, with significant associations between uncontrolled blood pressure and mental health issues.
- Recommendations include routine screening for psychological distress in hypertensive patients, particularly those struggling with blood pressure management or concerns about hypertension-related complications.
Article Synopsis
- - The study investigated the prevalence and contributing factors of female sexual dysfunction among women aged 50 and older in a Malaysian outpatient clinic, using a self-administered questionnaire based on the Female Sexual Function Index.
- - Out of 263 participants, 68.8% reported experiencing female sexual dysfunction, with the highest issues in sexual desire (85.2%) and satisfaction (74.9%), while factors such as Indian ethnicity and less frequent sexual intercourse were linked to higher dysfunction risks.
- - The findings conclude that a significant portion of middle-aged women struggle with sexual dysfunction, highlighting the need for further research and interventions to address this issue.
Background: Malaysians are disillusioned with the increased number of COVID-19 infection cases and the prolonged lockdown period. As a result of COVID-19 mitigation measurements, Malaysians are experiencing emotional and psychological consequences such as anxiety. Thus, there is an urgent need to have an instrument that could serve as a tool to assess the psychological impact of COVID-19 among Malaysians rapidly.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a complex metabolic, endocrine and reproductive disorder that has a huge impact on the life of women. To ascertain the effectiveness of health education module among women with PCOS.
Methods: This single-centre, randomised controlled trial was conducted on female staff of the University Putra Malaysia who were diagnosed with PCOS.
Objectives: Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) are known to experience poorer quality of life (QoL). The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of psychotherapy on QoL among patients with ESRD.
Methods: We conducted a systematic search for studies in Medline, PubMed, and SAGE Journals databases from their dates of inception up to 10 April 2020.
Article Synopsis
- - The study aimed to assess if high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex can effectively prevent migraines by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis of existing trials.
- - Results indicated that rTMS significantly decreased the amount of acute medication needed and reduced functional disability for migraine sufferers, though it didn't show clear benefits for headache days or pain intensity.
- - The researchers concluded that while rTMS shows promise in migraine management, further studies are necessary to confirm these findings and solidify its efficacy as a treatment option.