Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist Use Is Not Associated With Increased Complications After Total Hip Arthroplasty in Patients Who Have Type 2 Diabetes.

Background: Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists have emerged as a powerful diabetic treatment adjunct; however, their effects on outcomes following total hip arthroplasty (THA) are not well known. This study aimed to compare the risk of complications in patients who had type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) who were on GLP-1 agonists with those who were not on these medications.

Methods: In total, 14,065 patients who had type 2 DM undergoing primary THA between 2016 and 2021 were retrospectively reviewed using a national database.

Feasibility and acceptability of a dengue self-monitoring system to reduce treatment delay in Malaysia: A single-centre pilot randomised controlled trial.

Objective: Most dengue cases are managed in an outpatient setting, where patients are advised to return to the clinic daily for monitoring. Some patients can develop severe dengue at home and fail to recognise the deterioration. An application called DengueAid was designed as a self-monitoring tool for patients to reduce delay in seeking timely treatment.

The rate of blood culture contamination and common organisms isolated in Malaysian public hospitals.

Introduction: Blood culture contamination remains a dilemma issue in the diagnosis of bloodstream infection. However, to date, there is no national data on blood culture contamination and the common organism isolated in Malaysia. This is a pioneer multi-centre study involving public hospitals with medical microbiologists in Malaysia to determine the blood culture contamination rate and the common organism isolated.

Liver dysfunction in adults with COVID-19 infection: A longitudinal study with transient elastography evaluation.

Background And Aim: Abnormal liver biochemistry (ALB) is common among patients with COVID-19 infection due to various factors. It is uncertain if it persists after the acute infection. We aimed to investigate this.

An update on the safety of lanreotide autogel for the treatment of patients with neuroendocrine tumors.

Introduction: Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are a rare group of tumors originating from neuroendocrine cells in various organs. They include neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) and neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs), which differ in biological behavior and prognosis. NETs are usually well-differentiated and slow-growing, while NECs are poorly differentiated and more aggressive.

Causes, risks and care circumstances associated with death in older adults diagnosed with HIV in a tertiary centre in Malaysia.

Background: A substantial number of older adults succumb soon after HIV diagnosis despite ART. We explored the causes, risk factors and circumstances before death among older adults acquring HIV.

Methods: We recruited individuals newly diagnosed at our centre from 2016-2020 and analysed data of those who died.

Population modifiable risk factors associated with under-5 acute respiratory tract infections and diarrhoea in 25 countries in sub-Saharan Africa (2014-2021): an analysis of data from demographic and health surveys.

Background: Identifying the critical modifiable risk factors for acute respiratory tract infections (ARIs) and diarrhoea is crucial to reduce the burden of disease and mortality among children under 5 years of age in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and ultimately achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We investigated the modifiable risk factors of ARI and diarrhoea among children under five using nationally representative surveys.

Methods: We used the most recent demographic and health survey (DHS) data (2014-2021) from 25 SSA countries, encompassing a total of 253,167 children.

Revolutionizing diabetes care: unveiling tirzepatide's potential in glycemic control and beyond.

Introduction: Diabetes is a global public health challenge with rising prevalence. This review explores current diabetes understanding, diagnostic and management guidelines, economic impact, and lifestyle modifications as the primary approach.

Areas Covered: Focusing on pharmacological interventions, we discuss the roles of GLP-1 agonists and GLP/GIP agonists in diabetes management and cardiovascular risk reduction.

Sweet Syndrome With Vasculitis: Time To Adopt a New Criteria?

Sweet syndrome (SS) is an acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis. Although perceived to be rare, the disease may well have been underreported due to lack of exposure in low-volume clinical settings and due to the use of rather strict clinical criteria for diagnosis. It presents as cutaneous papules, plaques, or nodules in an asymmetric distribution that follows fever and flu-like symptoms.

A Rare Case of Hypothyroidism-Induced Rhabdomyolysis.

Rhabdomyolysis is a condition caused by muscle breakdown. It can be usually associated with pain, weakness, and elevated creatinine kinase levels on laboratory testing. There are various triggers, some of which can include trauma, dehydration, infections, and, as in this case, autoimmune disorders.

A Rare Case of Acute Esophageal Necrosis Precipitated by Klebsiella Pneumoniae.

Acute esophageal necrosis is a rare condition; visualization of necrosis on esophagoduodenoscopy can help establish the diagnosis. Due to variations in blood supply, there is a higher propensity for ischemic episodes to occur along the lower esophagus; these can be of particular importance during times of hypotension. Underlying infections and atherosclerosis can further exacerbate blood supply leading to ischemia in these watershed zones.

Spinal deformity surgery in patients for whom blood transfusion is not an option: a single-center experience.

Objective: Spinal deformity surgery is associated with significant blood loss, often requiring the transfusion of blood and/or blood products. For patients declining blood or blood products, even in the face of life-threatening blood loss, spinal deformity surgery has been associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. For these reasons, patients for whom blood transfusion is not an option have historically been denied spinal deformity surgery.

Poor HIV-Related Outcomes in Older Adults Newly Diagnosed With HIV: A 4-Year Retrospective Analysis From a Single Site in Asia.

Background: In resource-limited settings, HIV-related services are often targeted to younger key populations, although increasing reports have found that adults ≥50 years now account for among the highest increase in new HIV diagnosis. We assessed the proportion of new HIV infections among older adults (≥50 years) and compared their sociodemographics, risk behaviors, and HIV-related outcomes to newly diagnosed younger adults (<50 years).

Methods: This retrospective analysis included all new HIV diagnosis from 2016 to 2019 at the University of Malaya Medical Centre, Malaysia.

Barriers and Facilitators to Implementing Project ECHO in Malaysia During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

In Malaysia, HIV is concentrated among key populations who experience barriers to care due to stigma and healthcare discrimination. The COVID-19 pandemic has increased barriers to healthcare. Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) is a transformative tele-education strategy that could improve HIV prevention and treatment.

Rhinovirus/enterovirus was the most common respiratory virus detected in adults with severe acute respiratory infections pre-COVID-19 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Background: Severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) pose a great global burden. The contribution of respiratory viruses to adult SARI is relatively understudied in Asia. We aimed to determine viral aetiology of adult SARI patients in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Adverse events following immunization and psychological distress among cancer patients/survivors following vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Purpose: This study aims to describe the adverse events following immunization (AEFIs) of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in cancer patients/survivors associated with their psychological distress.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess AEFIs after the receipt of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in cancer patients/survivors attending a university hospital in Malaysia. Psychological distress was measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) before and after the first and second doses of COVID-19 vaccine.

Practical recommendations for planning and running live online education workshops for the rural health workforce.

Aim: This commentary presents practical and evidenced based guidelines for the development and delivery of real-time online training workshops aimed at rural health professionals.

Context: Online learning is increasingly being used as an avenue for delivering education, particularly to rural and remote sites where barriers persist in upskilling health workers. Further, online learning has become essential during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Propagation of a hospital-associated cluster of COVID-19 in Malaysia.

Background: Hospitals are vulnerable to COVID-19 outbreaks. Intrahospital transmission of the disease is a threat to the healthcare systems as it increases morbidity and mortality among patients. It is imperative to deepen our understanding of transmission events in hospital-associated cases of COVID-19 for timely implementation of infection prevention and control measures in the hospital in avoiding future outbreaks.

Changing predominant SARS-CoV-2 lineages drives successive COVID-19 waves in Malaysia, February 2020 to March 2021.

Malaysia has experienced three waves of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as of March 31, 2021. We studied the associated molecular epidemiology and SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence during the third wave. We obtained 60 whole-genome SARS-CoV-2 sequences between October 2020 and January 2021 in Kuala Lumpur/Selangor and analyzed 989 available Malaysian sequences.

Detection of respiratory viruses in adults with suspected COVID-19 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Background: Reports of co-circulation of respiratory viruses during the COVID-19 pandemic and co-infections with SARS-CoV-2 vary. However, limited information is available from developing countries.

Objectives: We aimed to investigate the incidence of respiratory viruses in adult patients with suspected COVID-19 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Options for Intraoperative Repair of a Cut Pilot Balloon on the Endotracheal Tube.

Severing of the pilot balloon of an endotracheal tube (ETT) results in cuff deflation and may lead to complications including inadequate patient ventilation, increased risk of aspiration and infection, and operating room air pollution with anesthetic gases. In situations where ETT exchange or reintubation may pose a significant risk to the patient, temporary repair of the severed cuff tubing can be helpful until it is safe to address the problem with replacing the ETT. Simple and effective repair methods can be achieved using readily available materials in the operating room, including intravenous cannulas, hypodermic syringes, and epidural clamp connectors.

Genetic Testing for Cancer Risk: Is the Community Willing to Pay for It?

With the increasing number of cancer cases worldwide, genetic testing for familiar cancers seems inevitable, yet little is known on population interest and the monetary value for cancer genetic risk information. The current study aimed to determine the willingness to undergo and pay for cancer genetic testing among the Malaysian population. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to cancer patients and their family members in the oncology and daycare units in several government hospitals.