ABSTRACT
Peer-reviewed articles on the usage of mobile applications in the management of diabetes were reviewed. Studies using mobile device applications for diabetes interventions published between January 2007 and March 2013 were included in this review. Studies related to the developmental processes of the mobile applications were excluded. The characteristics of these studies and the outcomes of the methods used in the management of diabetes were gathered. We retrieved a total of 372 articles from ACM Digital library, PubMed and Proquest Medical Library. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 8 articles were eligible for further review. Most of the studies included in this review showed the effectiveness of mobile applications in diabetes management. Their major contribution comes from feedback functions of the systems that assist participants in the self-monitoring of their blood glucose and dietary intake. However, the majority of the studies showed the limited use of the mobile phone as a tool to input information into systems which would in turn convey a reminder message to the patient. In conclusion, with its features of portability and convenience, mobile application used in the management of diabetes has the potential to improve glycaemic control, resulting in significant clinical and financial benefits.
Subject(s)
Diabetes MellitusABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the presence of trichomoniasis among women attending the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Clinic, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre. Methods A total of 139 high vaginal swabs were taken from the subjects and sent to the laboratory in Amies gel transport media. The specimens were examined for the presence of Trichomonas vaginalis using wet mount, Giemsa staining and cultured in Diamond's medium. Sociodemographic characteristics and gynaecological complaints were obtained in private using structured questionnaire applied by one investigator. Results The median age was 32 years, with an interquartile interval of 9.96. Most of the subjects were Malays (76.9%) and the remaining were Chinese (15.1%), Indians (2.2%) and other ethnic groups (5.8%). One hundred and thirty eight (99.3%) of the women were married and 98.6% had less than 6 children. More than half (75.5%) of the women's last child birth was less than 6 years ago. Forty seven percent of them were involved in supporting administrative work and 64.7% of the women gave a history of previous or current vaginal discharge. Conclusions The present study reported zero incidence rate of trichomoniasis. The low incidence rate was postulated due to all women who participated in this study were categorized into a low-risk group.
ABSTRACT
To observe the maternal and neonatal outcomes among women with diabetes mellitus in pregnancy as compared to healthy control. A case-control study involving 400 women with DM who delivered between 2005 to 2009 was done with age-matched control group. A total of 305 women (76.25%) were gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) on diet control, 79 (19.75%) were GDM on insulin and 16 (4%) were pre-existing DM. The mean body mass index of the women with diabetes was higher compared to the age-matched healthy women (p <0.001). Approximately one-third of diabetic woman had no antecedent risk factor. About half of the women with diabetes (n=205, 51.3%) had unplanned pregnancy. Women with DM had greater risk of having spontaneous miscarriage and caesarean section (OR 1.4, 95% CI (1.2-1.7), OR 1.3, 95% CI (1.1- 1.5) respectively). Women with diabetes on insulin had higher risk of preterm delivery and caesarean delivery as compared to those with diet control, (OR 1.7, 95% CI (1.2- 2.5), OR 2.5, 95% CI (1.6-4.1) respectively). The incidence of macrosomia, low Apgar score, need for NICU admission, hypoglycaemia and respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) were higher among women with diabetes as compared to healthy control, and especially in those on insulin. Women with higher HbA1c had significantly increased need for caesarean section and NICU admission with higher incidence of macrosomia and RDS. The overall outcome of women with diabetes especially with higher level HbA1c remained poor as compared to a normal pregnancy.
ABSTRACT
Retroperitoneal liposarcoma is rare in pregnancy. Management of recurrent disease following surgical resection remained a challenge especially when it is associated with pregnancy. A 30-year old primigravida conceived spontaneously four months following a second laparotomy for resection of recurrent RPLS. The primary surgery was performed four years earlier with optimum postoperative course in the absence of need for postoperative adjuvant treatment Histology of the recurrent tumor confirmed a well differentiated liposarcoma. She was monitored closely for any worsening of symptoms and underwent a MRI and an ultrasound at 12 and 22 weeks gestation respectively. The pregnancy continues to be uneventful and she safely delivered vaginally at 41 weeks gestation. Small RPLS during pregnancy do not pose great obstetrics management challenges. Early detection with multidisciplmary team management would anticipate possible complications to ensure both maternal and fetal wellbeing