Nutritional supplement use among university athletes in Singapore.

INTRODUCTION: Nutritional supplements used by athletes can be classified as sports food, dietary supplements and ergogenic aids. The aim of this study was to examine the use of such supplements among university athletes in Singapore. METHODS: 82 athletes from 16 sport disciplines completed a questionnaire which sought information on demographical parameters, type of supplements, frequency of use, motivations, knowledge, expenditure and side effects. RESULTS: The prevalence of supplement use was 76.8 percent and 20 different products were used. Each individual consumed a mean and standard deviation of 3.18 +/- 1.7 products over a 12-month period. The mean number of products consumed daily was 2.1 +/- 1.2. Popular products included sports drinks, vitamin C, multivitamins and traditional/herbal preparations such as essence of chicken, bird's nest and ginseng. Before using a product, 65.9 percent sought information, usually from the media, the Internet, coaches and fellow athletes. However, many did not know where to obtain reliable information and 86.4 percent were also unaware that supplementation can have adverse effects. CONCLUSION: Although there is a high prevalence of supplement use in our study population, many do not have accurate information about these products. Hence, there is an urgent need to provide athletes with education and access to scientific and unbiased information.

Delayed fungal infection following augmentation mammoplasty in an immunocompetent host.

We report an unusual case of infection of a breast implant with Trichosporon spp. in an immunocompetent host. There has only been one other reported case in the published literature. The patient was a healthy 27-year-old woman who presented with pain and swelling 17 months after augmentation mammoplasty with a saline implant. Ultrasound-guided aspiration of the effusion surrounding the implant yielded Trichosporon spp. on culture. Oral therapy with fluconazole was commenced, and the implant was salvaged. The nature of this fungi, its mode of transmission and treatment are reviewed. The implications and management of implant infections are also discussed. Physicians should be aware that infection may be delayed, and cultures should be performed for aerobic and anaerobic organisms as well as acid-fast bacilli and fungi. Prompt and appropriate antimicrobial treatment may arrest the infection, sparing the patient the morbidity of a surgical drainage or implant removal.