Body mass index, waist-hip ratio and risk of chronic medical condition in the elderly population: results from the Well-being of the Singapore Elderly (WiSE) Study.

Background: The aim of the current study was to establish the prevalence and relationship of Body Mass Index (BMI) and Waist-Hip Ratio (WHR) with chronic health conditions and their associated socio-demographic correlates in the elderly population of Singapore.

Methods: The data was extracted from the Well-being of the Singapore Elderly (WiSE) study, a comprehensive single phase, cross-sectional, population-based, epidemiological study conducted in 2013 among Singaporean residents (n = 2565) aged 60 years and above with a mean age of 72.7 years (range 60 to 105, SD = 9.

Prevalence of Depression among Older Adults-Results from the Well-being of the Singapore Elderly Study.

Introduction: Depression is a significant public health issue across all sociodemographic groups and is identified as a common and serious mental health problem particularly among the older adult population. The aims of the current study were to determine the prevalence of depression and subsyndromal depression among older adults in Singapore.

Materials And Methods: The Well-being of the Singapore Elderly (WiSE) study was a comprehensive single phase, cross-sectional survey.

Smoking and Socio-demographic correlates of BMI.

Background: The aim of the current study was to examine the associations between Body Mass Index (BMI) and socio-demographic factors and to examine the relationship between BMI, smoking status and ethnicity.

Methods: The Singapore Mental Health Study (SMHS) surveyed Singapore Residents (Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents) aged 18 years old and above. BMI was calculated using height and weight which were self-reported by respondents.

Psychiatric morbidity and its correlates among informal caregivers of older adults.

Objective: This present study estimated the psychiatric morbidity among informal caregivers of older adults and investigated its association with their socio-demographic factors and older adult's health status, including dementia, depression and physical health conditions.

Methods: Data from a national cross-sectional survey were used. For each participating older adult, an informal caregiver who 'knew the older adult best' and was aware of their health condition, was also interviewed to collect information on the older adults' care needs, and behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD).

A systematic review on comorbid post-traumatic stress disorder in schizophrenia.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) appears to commonly co-occur with schizophrenia, which is widely considered the most disabling mental illness. Both conditions share neurological risk factors, and present with symptoms that are superficially similar, complicating diagnostic accuracy. The presence of comorbid PTSD is also of concern as additional diagnoses tend to worsen functioning and quality of life.

Correlation between Focal Nodular Low Signal Changes in Hoffa's Fat Pad Adjacent to Anterior Femoral Cartilage and Focal Cartilage Defect Underlying This Region and Its Possible Implication.

Purpose. This study investigates the association between focal nodular mass with low signal in Hoffa's fat pad adjacent to anterior femoral cartilage of the knee (FNMHF) and focal cartilage abnormality in this region. Method.

Performance of Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) in long-stay patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorders in a psychiatric institute.

Studies have found that age and education were associated with cognition in older adults. However, little is known how clinical factors (e.g.

Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help: Factor Structure and Socio-Demographic Predictors.

Attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help (ATSPPH) are complex. Help seeking preferences are influenced by various attitudinal and socio-demographic factors and can often result in unmet needs, treatment gaps, and delays in help-seeking. The aims of the current study were to explore the factor structure of the ATSPPH short form (-SF) scale and determine whether any significant socio-demographic differences exist in terms of help-seeking attitudes.

Economic burden of multimorbidity among older adults: impact on healthcare and societal costs.

Background: Multimorbidity is not uncommon and the associated impact it places on healthcare utilisation and societal costs is of increased concern. The aim of the current study was to estimate the economic burden of multimorbidity among older adults in Singapore by investigating its association with the healthcare and societal resource use and cost.

Methods: The Well-being of the Singapore Elderly (WiSE) study was a single phase, cross sectional survey among a nationally representative sample of Singapore residents (N = 2565) aged 60 years and above.

Recognition of mental disorders among a multiracial population in Southeast Asia.

Background: Mental health literacy is an important mediating factor in help-seeking behavior. An important component of this literacy is the proper recognition of mental disorders. The aim of this population-based study in Singapore was to determine the proportion of adults in the resident population who were able to recognize vignettes pertaining to alcohol abuse, dementia, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and schizophrenia correctly.

Determination of ubiquitin fitness landscapes under different chemical stresses in a classroom setting.

Ubiquitin is essential for eukaryotic life and varies in only 3 amino acid positions between yeast and humans. However, recent deep sequencing studies indicate that ubiquitin is highly tolerant to single mutations. We hypothesized that this tolerance would be reduced by chemically induced physiologic perturbations.

Stigma towards people with mental disorders and its components - a perspective from multi-ethnic Singapore.

Aims: The current study aimed to: (i) describe the extent of overall stigma as well as the differences in stigma towards people with alcohol abuse, dementia, depression, schizophrenia and obsessive compulsive disorder, as well as (ii) establish the dimensions of stigma and examine its correlates, in the general population of Singapore, using a vignette approach.

Methods: Data for the current study came from a larger nation-wide cross-sectional study of mental health literacy conducted in Singapore. The study population comprised Singapore Residents (Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents) aged 18-65 years who were living in Singapore at the time of the survey.

Providing care to relatives with mental illness: reactions and distress among primary informal caregivers.

Background: The responsibility of caring for relatives with mental illness often falls on the family members. It has been reported that the reactions to or consequences of providing care are what rendered the role of a caregiver challenging and hence a source of distress. This present study thus aimed to identify socio-demographic correlates of caregiving experiences using the Caregiver Reaction Assessment (CRA) and to examine the associations between reactions to caregiving and psychological distress.

Strategic Versus Nonstrategic Gambling: Results From a Community Survey.

Objectives: The aims of the current study were to establish the prevalence and correlates of strategic and nonstrategic gambling, using data from an epidemiological survey conducted in 2010 in Singapore.

Methods: Data were used from a nationwide cross-sectional, nationally representative survey of the resident (citizens and permanent residents) population of Singaporean adults aged 18 years and older (N=6616). All respondents were administered the South Oaks Gambling Screen to determine the gambling activities and screen for pathological gambling.

Prevalence of psychotic symptoms among older adults in an Asian population.

Background: Psychotic symptoms are common among older adults and are seen in a wide range of conditions. Most studies examining the prevalence and correlates of psychotic symptoms among older adults have been conducted in Western populations. To address this gap the current study was undertaken to establish the prevalence and correlates of psychotic symptoms and paranoid ideation within a community sample of older adults without dementia in an Asian population.

Prevalence and correlates of heart disease among adults in Singapore.

Heart disease is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide and it has been well established that it is associated with both mental and physical conditions. This paper describes the prevalence of heart disease with mental disorders and other chronic physical conditions among the Singapore resident population. Data were from the Singapore Mental Health Study which was a representative, cross-sectional epidemiological survey undertaken with 6616 Singapore residents, between December 2009 and December 2010.

Qualitative study of Singaporean youths' perception of antismoking campaigns: what works and what does not.

Background: Youths are more likely to rebel against messages perceived to inhibit their independence. In order for antismoking campaigns to be effective with this population, adopting evidence-based strategies is crucial. In this study, we examined youths' reaction to past and ongoing antismoking campaigns, and delineate effective and ineffective components of campaigns as identified by them.

The Societal Cost of Dementia in Singapore: Results from the WiSE Study.

Background: There is currently limited evidence on the economic burden that dementia exerts on multi-ethnic Asian populations.

Objective: The present study aimed to estimate the economic cost of dementia in Singapore.

Methods: We used data from the Well-being of the Singapore Elderly study, a nationally representative survey of the older Singapore Resident population aged 60 years and above.

Evaluation and Management of Concomitant Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy and Valvular Aortic Stenosis.

The dilemma of the patient with both AS and LVOTO is now commonly encountered in clinical practice; indeed, physicians must be aware of the complex interaction and coexistent nature of both diseases, especially as both HOCM and TAVR have increased in awareness and prevalence. Importantly, the clinician must be aware of the complex interplay hemodynamically, with the two diseases confusing the TTE imaging and potentially affecting each other anatomically and clinically. There is no set guideline on how to approach this from a surgical or percutaneous approach, but we have outlined a set of recommendations which should serve the clinician and patient well.

Psychometric properties of the positive mental health instrument among people with mental disorders: a cross-sectional study.

Background: The Positive Mental Health (PMH) instrument was developed and validated to assess the level of PMH and its six dimensions in a multi-ethnic general population sample. This cross-sectional study examines the psychometric properties of the instrument for assessing the level of PMH among help-seeking patients with mental disorders.

Methods: The PMH instrument was tested among 360 out-patients with schizophrenia, depression or anxiety spectrum disorders, seeking treatment at a tertiary psychiatric hospital and its affiliated clinics in Singapore.

Days Out of Role Due to Mental and Physical Conditions: Results from the Singapore Mental Health Study.

Objective: The aim of the current study was to evaluate the relative contributions of mental and physical conditions to days out of role among adults aged 18 years and above in Singapore.

Methods: The Singapore Mental Health Study was a cross-sectional epidemiological survey of a nationally representative sample of residents aged 18 years or older. Diagnosis of mental disorders was established using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview; while chronic physical conditions were established using a checklist.

Prevalence and correlates of sleep problems among elderly Singaporeans.

Background: The current study examined the prevalence and correlates of sleep problems among elderly Singaporeans.

Methods: Data were taken from the Well-being of Singapore Elderly study, a cross-sectional, epidemiological survey conducted among Singapore residents aged 60 years and above (n = 2565). Respondents were screened for sleep problems through a series of questions in the Geriatric Mental State examination.

Cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of heat killed Mycobacterium indicus pranii (MIP) on various human cancer cell lines.

Mycobacterium indicus pranii (MIP) is a non-pathogenic mycobacterium, which has been tested on several cancer types like lung and bladder where tumour regression and complete recovery was observed. In discovering the potential cytotoxic elements, a preliminary test was carried out using four different fractions consisting of live bacteria, culture supernatant, heat killed bacteria and heat killed culture supernatant of MIP against two human cancer cells A549 and CaSki by 3-(4,5-dimethyl thiazol)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Apoptosis was investigated in MCF-7 and ORL-115 cancer cells by poly-(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and DNA fragmentation assays.

TIEG1 enhances Osterix expression and mediates its induction by TGFβ and BMP2 in osteoblasts.

Deletion of TIEG1/KLF10 in mice results in an osteopenic skeletal phenotype with significant decreases in both bone mineral density and content throughout the skeleton. Calvarial osteoblasts isolated from TIEG1 knockout (KO) mice display numerous changes in gene expression and exhibit significant delays in their mineralization rates relative to wild-type (WT) controls. Here, we demonstrate that loss of TIEG1 expression in osteoblasts results in decreased levels of Osterix mRNA.

Pathways to Care for Patients With First-Episode Psychosis in Singapore.

In this study, we aim to describe the pathways to care for patients with first-episode psychosis in Singapore. We analyzed data from 900 individuals accepted by the Singapore Early Psychosis Intervention Programme between 2007 and 2012. The most common first contacts were specialist care (59%), primary care (27%), and the police (12%).