Awareness, perception and barriers to seeking information from online academic databases and medical journals as sources of information.

Medical students' use of online medical journals as a source of information is crucial in the learning pathway to become medical doctors. We conducted a cross-sectional survey study among University medical students between December 2012 and March 2013 to assess their awareness, perceived usefulness, practices, and barriers to seeking information from online academic databases and medical journals. The response rate was 67.53%. The majority of the students knew of the availability of online academic databases and medical journals. The mean score for awareness (4.25 of possible 11.0), perceived usefulness (13.95 of possible 33.0), and practice (10.67 of possible 33.0) were low. The mean barrier score toward using online academic databases and medical journals was 25.41 (of possible 45.0). Multivariate findings showed that significant barriers associated with overall usage of online databases and medical journals were 1) not knowing where or how to locate databases and 2) unsureness of using the Boolean operators. Availability of full text subscriptions was found to be an important factor in using online databases. Study findings highlighted the need to increase awareness of academic databases' availability and increase training on ways to search online academic databases and medical journals.

Performance of emergency physicians in point-of-care echocardiography following limited training.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate if emergency medicine trainees with a short duration of training in echocardiography could perform and interpret bedside-focused echocardiography reliably on emergency department patients. METHODS: Following a web-based learning module and 3 h of proctored practical training, emergency medicine trainees were evaluated in technical and interpretative skills in estimating left ventricular function, detection of pericardial effusion and inferior vena cava (IVC) diameter measurements using bedside-focused echocardiography on emergency department patients. An inter-rater agreement analysis was performed between the trainees and a board-certified cardiologist. RESULTS: 100 focused echocardiography examinations were performed by nine emergency medicine trainees. Agreement between the trainees and the cardiologist was 93% (K=0.79, 95% CI 0.773 to 0.842) for visual estimation of left ventricular function, 92.9% (K=0.80, 95% CI 0.636 to 0.882) for quantitative left ventricular ejection fraction by M-mode measurements, 98% (K=0.74, 95% CI 0.396 to 1.000) for the detection of pericardial effusion, and 64.2% (K=0.45, 95% CI 0.383 to 0.467) for IVC diameter assessment. The Bland-Altman limits of agreement for left ventricular function was -9.5% to 13.7%, and a Pearson's correlation yielded a value of 0.82 (p<0.0001, 95% CI 0.734 to 0.881). The trainees detected pericardial effusion with a sensitivity of 60%, specificity of 100%, positive predictive value of 100% and negative predictive value of 97.9%. CONCLUSIONS: Emergency medicine trainees were found to be able to perform and interpret focused echocardiography reliably after a short duration of training.

Increased fracture risk and osteoporosis not associated with vitamin D levels in Malaysian patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

INTRODUCTION: Osteoporosis and osteopenia are well-recognized complications of inflammatory bowel disease. Previous studies have suggested that vitamin D deficiency is an important risk factor for the development of osteoporosis. We hypothesized that low vitamin D levels is the main reason for reduced bone mineral density in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. We aimed to study its potential role in Malaysia, which is a tropical country with 3 large ethnic groups. We also sought to examine the relationship between fracture risk and bone mineral density in this group. METHODOLOGY: Relevant history as well as 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (vitamin D) levels and bone mineral density were obtained. Normal, inadequate, and low vitamin D levels were defined as 61-160 nmol/L (24-64 ng/mL), 30-60 nmol/L (12-24 ng/mL), and less than 30 nmol/L (<12 ng/mL), respectively. RESULTS: Seventy-two patients were recruited. The prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis, respectively, were 58% and 17% in the spine and 51% and 14% in the hip. Mean vitamin D level in the group was low at 45.12 ± 17.4 nmol/L (18.05 ± 6.96 ng/mL), but there was no significant association between bone mineral density and vitamin D level. Twelve patients (16.7%) had a fragility fracture after the diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease. The cumulative fracture incidence was 10% at 5 years and 35% at 10 years. There was a statistically significant association between osteoporosis of hip and a history of fracture (odds ratio 5.889; 95% confidence interval 1.41-24.53, P = .009). CONCLUSION: Osteoporosis is prevalent among Malaysian patients with inflammatory bowel disease and is associated with a 6-fold increased risk of fractures. Most inflammatory bowel disease patients had inadequate or low vitamin D levels, but there was no association between vitamin D levels and BMD.

Physical, psychological and sexual effects in multi-ethnic Malaysian women who have undergone hysterectomy.

AIM: The postoperative effects on Asian women after hysterectomy have not been fully explored. This study was undertaken to investigate the physical, psychological and sexual functioning effects in multi-ethnic Malaysian women who have undergone hysterectomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted on women who underwent hysterectomy at the Gynecological Outpatient Clinic, University of Malaya Medical Center between November 2008 and October 2009. RESULTS: Postoperative physical and psychological effects were common. Participants with higher household income had a significantly lower number of physical and psychological problems. Young women were more likely to experience psychological effects. There were significant differences between ethnic groups in physical and psychological symptoms. A multivariate model to determine factors associated with sexual functioning identified the importance of sexual relationship, spouse or partner's attitudes, and ethnic groups as significant covariates. CONCLUSION: The findings underscore the importance of ethnic-based approaches to counseling to mitigate the psychological effects of hysterectomy and to focus on young women with low socioeconomic status.

Screening for colorectal neoplasias with fecal occult blood tests: false-positive impact of non-dietary restriction.

OBJECTIVE: Screening for colorectal cancer using guaiac-based fecal occult blood tests (gFOBT) is well established in Western populations, but is hampered by poor patient compliance due to the imposed dietary restrictions. Fecal immunochemical tests (FIT) do not require dietary restriction, but are more expensive than gFOBT and therefore restrict its use in developing countries in Asia. However, Asian diets being low in meat content may not require diet restriction for gFOBT to achieve equivalent results. The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the validity and suitability of gFOBT and FIT or a combination of the two in screening for colorectal neoplasias without prior dietary restriction in an Asian population. METHODS: Patients referred to the Endoscopic Unit for colonoscopy were recruited for the study. Stool samples were collected prior to bowel preparation, and tested for occult blood with both gFOBT and FIT. Dietary restriction was not imposed. To assess the validity of either tests or in combination to detect a neoplasm or cancer in the colon, their false positive rates, their sensitivity (true positive rate) and the specificity (true negative rate) were analyzed and compared. RESULTS: One hundred and three patients were analysed. The sensitivity for picking up any neoplasia was 53% for FIT, 40% for gFOBT and 23.3% for the combination. The sensitivities for picking up only carcinoma were 77.8% , 66.7% and 55.5%, respectively. The specificity for excluding any neoplasia was 91.7% for FIT, 74% for gFOBT and 94.5% for a combination, whereas for excluding only carcinomas they were 84%, 73.4% and 93.6%. Of the 69 with normal colonoscopic findings, FOBT was positive in 4.3%, 23.2 %and 2.9% for FIT, gFOBT, or combination of tests respectively. CONCLUSION: FIT is the recommended method if we are to dispense with dietary restriction in our patients because of its relatively low-false positivity and better sensitivity and specificity rates.

Glycated haemoglobin is a good predictor of neonatal hypoglycaemia in pregnancies complicated by diabetes.

We investigated the usefulness of a single value of maternal HbA1c in late pregnancy as a predictor for neonatal hypoglycaemia and secondly, to find the appropriate threshold value. A prospective analysis of the HbA1c concentration between 36 to 38 weeks of gestation in 150 pregnant mothers with either pre-existing or gestational diabetes was performed. At delivery, glucose levels in the cord blood were analysed. Neonatal hypoglycaemia was defined as a blood sugar level of < 2.6 mmol/l. Receiver operator characteristic curve was constructed to evaluate the value of HbA1c concentration in predicting hypoglycaemia. There were 16 foetuses who were hypoglycaemic at delivery. The area under the ROC curve for predicting neonatal hypoglycaemia was 0.997 with a 95% confidence interval of 0.992 to 1, a very good prediction rate. The optimal threshold value for HbA1c in predicting hypoglycaemia in the foetus was 6.8% (51 mmol/mol). HbA1c level in late pregnancy is a good predictor for hypoglycaemia in the newborn.

Impact of socio-economic class on colorectal cancer patient outcomes in Kuala Lumpur and Kuching, Malaysia.

OBJECTIVE: Research over the past several decades has indicated that low socioeconomic class has a direct effect on health outcomes. In Malaysia, class distribution may differ with the region. The objective of this study was to compare the presentation and survival of colorectal cancer patients in two dissimilar cities, Kuala Lumpur and Kuching, Sarawak. METHODS: All patients diagnosed with a malignancy of the colon or rectum in Sarawak General Hospital and University of Malaya Medical Center from 1st Jan 2000-31st Dec 2006 were recruited. Data on presentation, socio-economic class and survival were obtained. The survival duration was categorized into more than three years or three years and less. Testing for significance was performed using the chi-square test, with p values less than 0.05 considered statistically significant. RESULTS: A total of 565 patients in UMMC and 642 patients in SGH had a new diagnosis of colorectal carcinoma. Patients in Kuching had a longer duration of symptoms and more advanced stage at presentation, but this was not statistically significant. Lower socio-economic class was a significant factor for late and more advanced stage at diagnosis, as well as poorer three and five year survival rates. However, survival was lower for patients in Kuching compared to Kuala Lumpur, even after matching for socio-economic class. CONCLUSION: There is near-zero awareness of colorectal cancer screening in Malaysia. These findings support reaching out to communities of lower socioeconomic backgrounds to improve the colorectal cancer survival rates.

A comparative study on the accuracy of noninvasive thermometers.

BACKGROUND: This study assessed the concordance of the temperatures of the digital, liquid crystal forehead and digital infrared tympanic thermometers with the mercury in glass thermometer. METHODS: Temperatures in degrees celsius were taken simultaneously using the four thermometers in 207 patients at the casualty department of a Malaysian hospital. The Bland Altman statistical test was used to assess the concordance by the 95% limits of agreement between the three newer thermometers and the mercury in glass thermometer. RESULTS: The digital thermometer gave the best concordance (limits of agreement 0.48-0.59 degrees C). The liquid crystal forehead thermometer gave the least concordance (limits of agreement -1.14-0.98 degrees C). The digital infrared tympanic was in between (limits of agreement -0.88-0.85 degrees C). DISCUSSION: The digital thermometer provides the best agreement with the mercury in glass thermometer. The infrared tympanic thermometer may be a preferable option for the uncooperative patient. The liquid crystal forehead thermometer is best used at home.

Macrosomia is the only reliable predictor of shoulder dystocia in babies weighing 3.5 kg or more.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if shoulder dystocia can be predicted in babies born weighing 3.5 kg or more. STUDY DESIGN: A case-control study nested in a perinatal database of 899 mothers and their babies who weighed 3.5 kg or more. All were term pregnancies and delivered vaginally. A case was defined as any baby that encountered shoulder dystocia at delivery. Controls were deliveries over the same period that were not complicated by shoulder dystocia. A logistic regression model was created with macrosomia, parity, previous delivery of more than 3.5 kg, diabetes in pregnancy, prolonged labor, prolonged second stage and instrumental delivery as the independent variables. The adjusted odds ratio and the receiver operator characteristics (ROC) curves were used to see if these variables, both individually and as a model, were associated with or were discriminative enough to predict shoulder dystocia; an ROC curve of more than 0.7 showing good prediction. RESULTS: There were 36 cases of shoulder dystocia during the study period, an incidence of 4%. Previous delivery of more than 3.5 kg, prolonged labor and prolonged second stage were not associated with shoulder dystocia. Although diabetes and instrumental delivery were independently and significantly associated with shoulder dystocia their importance as a predictor became relevant only in the presence of macrosomia. CONCLUSION: Macrosomia is the only reliable predictor of shoulder dystocia.