The epidemiology and clinical characteristics of myeloproliferative neoplasms in Malaysia.

Background: The evolution of molecular studies in myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) has enlightened us the understanding of this complex disease consisting of polycythaemia vera (PV), essential thrombocythemia (ET) and primary myelofibrosis (PMF). The epidemiology is well described in the western world but not in Asian countries like Malaysia.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective national registry of MPN was conducted from year 2009 to 2015 in Malaysia.

Immune thrombocytopenic purpura masking the fatal potential of calciphylaxis in a haemodialysis patient.

Calciphylaxis on the background of immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) has never been described. The pathogenesis of calciphylaxis is complex and not fully understood as yet. ITP has a complex pathogenesis that leads to bleeding or thrombotic events.

Resolution of pleura-peritoneal fistula via transient daytime ambulatory peritoneal dialysis regime (DAPD) - 8 years follow up.

Pleural effusion or hydrothorax is a relatively rare but well-recognized complication associated with peritoneal dialysis (PD). We describe the successful long term resolution of a patient who developed pleural effusions after starting continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), by altering the PD prescription to normal volume daytime ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (DAPD) transiently before resuming the usual CAPD exchanges four months later. After 8 years of follow up, there is no sign of recurrence of the effusion.

Symphysial fundal height (SFH) measurement in pregnancy for detecting abnormal fetal growth.

Background: Symphysis fundal height (SFH) measurement is commonly practiced primarily to detect fetal intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). Undiagnosed IUGR may lead to fetal death as well as increase perinatal mortality and morbidity.

Objectives: The objective of this review is to compare SFH measurement with serial ultrasound measurement of fetal parameters or clinical palpation to detect abnormal fetal growth (IUGR and large-for-gestational age), and improving perinatal outcome.

Antenatal diagnosis of placenta previa accreta in patients with previous cesarean scar.

Aim: To determine the accuracy of transabdominal and transvaginal gray-scale and color Doppler in diagnosing placenta previa accreta in patients with previous cesarean sections.

Methods: Twenty-one patients who had undergone previous cesarean sections and were confirmed to have partial or total placenta previa in the current pregnancy were subjected to ultrasound examinations after the 28th week of gestation. Specific ultrasound features were looked for on gray-scale ultrasound and color Doppler examination of the placenta and its interphase with the uterus and the bladder.

The efficacy of timolol in gel-forming solution after morning or evening dosing in Asian glaucomatous patients.

Aims: The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of timolol gel-forming solution as a monotherapy and to compare the efficacy of timolol gel-forming solution morning instillation versus at night application in Asians with newly diagnosed open-angle glaucoma.

Methods: A retrospective, comparative, parallel group study was conducted on 78 eligible patients diagnosed with open-angle glaucoma who received topical timolol gel-forming solution either on morning (AM dosing group; 39 patients) or evening (PM dosing group; 39 patients) as monotherapy treatment. Intraocular pressure was taken at baseline, 1, 3, 6, and 12 months post-treatment.

Neonatal resuscitation training program in Malaysia: results of the first 2 years.

Objectives: To determine the number of providers and instructors trained by the initial 37 core instructors during the first 2 years following the launch of the Malaysian Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP). To identify remediable problems which interfered with the propagation of the NRP in Malaysia.

Methodology: A prospective observational study carried out over a 2-year period between 2 September 1996 to 2 September 1998.

Exposure to sputum positive cases of tuberculosis in a government hospital.

A retrospective study was carried out to ascertain the degree of exposure to the tubercle bacillus within Ipoh Hospital. This study reveals that, over a one year period, 92 sputum positive cases were admitted to the general wards. In 11 of these cases, drug resistance was considered to be possible.

Audit of diabetes in Perak outpatient departments.

Adequacy of diabetic management in 5 Perak outpatient departments was studied in April 1996. Two hundred diabetic patients' records were analysed. All doctors and 100 patients answered questionnaires on diabetes.

Active resuscitation in Malaysian district hospitals--is it adequate?

Adequacy of active resuscitation in collapsed inpatients aged 12 and above (excluding those with terminal illness) were studied in 6 Malaysian district hospitals for 3 months starting 1/1/93. Results showed 59.5% (25 out of 42 inpatients) were inadequately resuscitated measured by: failure of nurses to initiate resuscitation (24%), duration of resuscitation less than 30 minutes (42%) and incompletely equipped emergency trolleys (44%).

Human immunodeficiency virus prevalence in women at delivery using unlinked anonymous testing of newborns in the Malaysian setting.

Objective: To determine the community prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in women at the time of delivery in a Malaysian setting.

Methodology: Cord blood samples from a pilot screening programme for congenital hypothyroidism in 1995 at Ipoh city and surrounding district hospitals were screened anonymously for HIV 1 and 2. HIV status was determined using chemiluminescent technology.

A Malaysian Well Person's Clinic--review of patients seen between April and December 1995.

The Well Man & Well Woman's Clinic in Ipoh Hospital provides screening for coronary risk factors and early detection of cancer. This retrospective review of 1095 patients screened between April and December 1995 showed 48% had one or more coronary risk factors--1 risk (29%), 2 risks (14%), 3 or more risks (5%). Modifiable risks included hypertension (10%), obesity (9%), diabetes mellitus (8%) and smoking (7%).

Fetal heart sound analysis: a preliminary evaluation.

The aim of this study, is to determine whether the fine characteristics of the fetal heart sounds could be used to identify intrauterine growth retarded fetuses. A preliminary evaluation, was conducted to compare these characteristics between intrauterine growth retarded fetuses and normal fetuses in the antenatal period after 36 weeks of gestation. Altogether, 7 IUGR fetuses were compared with 12 normal fetuses.

Use of Wigglesworth pathophysiological classification for perinatal mortality in Malaysia.

A one year prospective study of perinatal deaths was conducted to test the feasibility of using the Wigglesworth pathophysiological classification in the Malaysian health service. Four regions with high perinatal mortality rates were selected. Deaths were actively identified.