Association between serum urate levels and all-cause mortality, cardiovascular and renal outcomes among gout patients in Singapore.

Objectives: We investigated the longitudinal association between Serum Urate (SU) level and Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI), Stroke, End Stage Renal Failure (ESRF) and all-cause mortality.

Design: We conducted a retrospective hospital-based cohort study of individuals with gout managed in specialist outpatient clinics. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate HR and 95% CI, with adjustments for potential confounders.

Minimum number of nights for reliable estimation of habitual sleep using a consumer sleep tracker.

Study Objectives: To determine the minimum number of nights required to reliably estimate weekly and monthly mean sleep duration and sleep variability measures from a consumer sleep technology (CST) device (Fitbit).

Methods: Data comprised 107 144 nights from 1041 working adults aged 21-40 years. Intraclass correlation (ICC) analyses were conducted on both weekly and monthly time windows to determine the number of nights required to achieve ICC values of 0.

School-based interventions for the treatment of childhood obesity: a systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression of cluster randomised controlled trials.

Objective: Schools offer an ideal setting for childhood obesity interventions due to their access to children and adolescents. This review aimed to systematically review the impact of school-based intervention for the treatment of childhood obesity.

Design: Eight databases were searched from inception till 30 May 2020.

Beta-blockers and renin-angiotensin system inhibitors in acute myocardial infarction managed with inhospital coronary revascularization.

Pivotal trials of beta-blockers (BB) and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers (ACEI/ARB) in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) were largely conducted prior to the widespread adoption of early revascularization. A total of 15,073 patients with AMI who underwent inhospital coronary revascularization from January 2007 to December 2013 were analyzed. At 12 months, BB was significantly associated with a lower incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE, adjusted HR 0.

Efficacy of community-based self-care interventions to improve biophysical, psychosocial or behavioural outcomes among community-dwelling older adults with type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Aims: This review assessed the efficacy of self-care interventions to improve biophysical, psychosocial or behavioural outcomes among older adults with diabetes.

Methods: Computerised and manual searches were performed. A total of 18 randomised control trials were included in the review, of which eight were subsequently included in the meta-analysis.

Exclusive breastfeeding, breastfeeding self-efficacy and perception of milk supply among mothers in Singapore: A longitudinal study.

Aim: This study aimed to examine the factors that affect exclusive breastfeeding among mothers in Singapore.

Design & Participants: This was a longitudinal study over 6 months. Data was collected on 400 mothers with breastfed infants who attended at primary care clinics.

A formative research-guided educational intervention to improve the knowledge and attitudes of seniors towards influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations.

Background: Adult influenza and pneumococcal vaccination rates in Singapore are low, and factors influencing knowledge and attitudes of seniors towards influenza, pneumonia and their respective vaccines are not well-known. Our study aims to understand the barriers and facilitators towards getting influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations among seniors in Singapore, and subsequently inform the conduct of a relevant community-based educational intervention, as well as evaluate the intervention outcomes.

Methods: We performed a mixed methods study with two components: Firstly, formative research was conducted among community-dwelling seniors, using focus group discussions (FGDs), to understand their knowledge and attitudes towards influenza, pneumonia and their respective vaccines.

Comparative analysis of recurrent events after presentation with an index myocardial infarction or ischaemic stroke.

Aims: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and stroke are important causes of mortality and morbidity. Our aims are to determine the comparative epidemiology of AMI and ischaemic stroke; and examine the differences in cardiovascular outcomes or mortality occurring after an AMI or stroke.

Methods And Results: The Singapore National Registry of Diseases Office collects countrywide data on AMI, stroke, and mortality.

Buckling up in Singapore: residency and other risk factors for seatbelt non-compliance - a cross-sectional study based on trauma registry data.

Background: Seatbelt non-compliance is a problem in middle income countries, and little is known about seatbelt compliance in populations with a high proportion of non-residents. This study analyses the profile of seatbelt non-compliance in Singapore based on trauma registry data from five of the six public hospitals.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of seatbelt compliance of patients aged over 18 years, attending the emergency departments of five public hospitals in Singapore after road collisions from 2011-2014.

Doctor, do I really need treatment for my current blood pressure?

Hypertension is the most common chronic condition seen in primary care. It is a potentially modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular and renal complications. The latest Joint National Committee recommendations in 2014 address common clinical questions from the best available science with regard to managing patients with hypertension.

Near disappearance of childhood invasive Haemophilus influenzae type b disease in Singapore.

Background: Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) conjugate vaccines have significantly limited Hib's disease impact in every country where it was introduced. We previously estimated invasive Hib disease incidence in Singapore at ∼4.4 per 100,000 children <5 years (from 1994 to 2003, period 1), but the vaccine was not included in the national childhood immunization schedule until May 2013 (although it was available privately).

Cross-validation of a non-exercise measure for cardiorespiratory fitness in Singaporean adults.

Introduction: Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is an independent predictor of voluminous health outcomes and can be measured using non-exercise fitness assessment (NEFA) equations. However, the accuracy of such equations in Asian populations is unknown. The objective of this study was to cross-validate the NEFA equation, developed by Jurca et al in 2005, in the adult Singaporean population.

The use of point-of-decision prompts to increase stair climbing in Singapore.

Physical inactivity is a significant contributor to worldwide mortality and morbidity associated with non-communicable diseases. An excellent avenue to incorporate lifestyle physical activity into regular routine is to encourage the use of stairs during daily commutes. We evaluated the effectiveness of point-of-decision prompts (PODPs) in promoting the use of stairs instead of the escalators in a Singapore Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station.