Epidemiology of aplastic anaemia in the state of Sabah, Malaysia.
(65/2188)
Aplastic anaemia is a rare disease which is more prevalent in the Far East. In Malaysia, it appears to be unusually common in the state of Sabah. A retrospective analysis of all cases of aplastic anaemia diagnosed between January 1993 and March 1996 was undertaken. The criteria of the International Aplastic Anaemia and Agranulocytosis Study (IAAAS) was used. In this 39 month period, 31 cases were confirmed by marrow trephine biopsy to be aplastic anaemia. The male-to-female ratio was 3.4. Median age of diagnosis was 23 years. There were 24 patients (77%) who were from the Kadazan-Dusun ethnic group, which forms 18% of the population of Sabah. The incidence of aplastic anaemia in Sabah appears to be higher than that reported elsewhere in the Far East, at 4.8 per million population per year. Peak incidence is in the elderly group at 8.6 per million followed by a second peak in young people aged 15 to 24 (7.9 per million). The aplastic anaemia to total acute leukaemia ratio is 0.37. The marked male preponderance and apparent susceptibility of the Kadazan-Dusun people are also notable. A further prospective study to address the true incidence of aplastic anaemia and possible aetiologic factors accounting for these observations is necessary. (+info)
Blood lead levels of pregnant women from the Klang Valley.
(66/2188)
A study was conducted to compare the blood lead levels of 97 pregnant women warded at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital, according to their ethnicity, residence and place of work. The lead content of venous blood samples was determined with a graphic furnace atomic absorption spectrometer. Blood lead levels of Klang Valley women seem to have decreased from 17.3 micrograms/dl in 1982 to 7.71 micrograms/dl in the present study most probably attributed to the phasing out of leaded gasoline. This level is below the 10 micrograms/dl recommended by the United States Environmental Protection Agency for the public, even though 27.8% of them still have blood lead levels that are equal to or in excess of 10 micrograms/dl. The study shows that certain segments of the population such as Indians (geometric mean = 9.35 micrograms/dl) and housewives (geometric mean = 9.55 micrograms/dl) may still experience blood lead levels that are slightly elevated than the rest of the population. (+info)
An outbreak of rabies in dogs in the state of Terengganu 1995-1996.
(67/2188)
The presence of rabies in dogs has been well recognized in areas of Malaysia close to the Thai border but it has rarely ever been reported in Terengganu which is a state on the East Coast of Malaysia. From November 1995 to June 1996 six different rabid stray dogs were found to have been involved in dog bite attacks on 9 members of the public. We report these cases to highlight that rabid dog bites may occur even in areas where the disease is thought to be rate. Medical and veterinary staff must keep the possibility of the risk of rabies in mind when faced with patients who have been bitten by dogs. (+info)
Epidemiology of head injury in Malaysian children: a hospital-based study.
(68/2188)
A prospective observational study was carried out at the Emergency Department, Hospital Kuala Lumpur to determine the proportion of accidental head injury among children and the circumstances of injury. The study was carried out from November 1993 to January 1994 on all children below 14 years who presented to the Emergency Department with accidental head injury. Accidental head injury made up (4.75%) of all cases seen at the Casualty Department. The ratio of boys to girls was 2:1. The mean age of head injured children was 5.2 (S.D. 3.63) years. The leading cause of head injury was fall (63%) followed by road traffic accidents (RTA) in (30.7%) while the rest were due to 'impact' (injury caused by flying object or missiles) injuries. More than half (54.4%) of those injured in RTA were pedestrians. Pedestrian injury was particularly important in the 5-< 14 years age group, where adult supervision was lacking in two thirds of the children. None of the patients who were involved in vehicle-related injuries had used a suitable protective or restraining device. All three patients who died were from this group. This study emphasises the need for stricter enforcement of laws related to the use of protective devices and measures to decrease child pedestrian injury. The issues of lack of adult supervision, both in and outside the home need to be addressed. (+info)
A 3 year case study of alcohol related psychotic disorders at Hospital Seremban.
(69/2188)
This paper reports the characteristics and psychopathology of alcohol dependents with alcohol induced psychotic disorder admitted to the Seremban Hospital. The method is that of a case study of all alcohol dependents with alcohol induced psychotic disorder admitted to the Psychiatric Ward, Hospital Seremban over 3 years (1993-1995). There were 34 subjects, 30 Indians, 3 Chinese and 1 Malay with a mean age of 43 years. 32 were men and predominantly of Social Class IV and V (91%). They had a mean duration of drinking of 14.2 years and had a mean weekly consumption of 69.5 units of alcohol. There was a family history of alcohol dependence in (44%). The majority (68%) consumed samsu with beer the second choice. Auditory hallucinations (26) and delusions (16) were common while visual hallucinations (3) and depression (2) were less frequent. Speech disorder occurred in 4 subjects. 2 developed delirium tremens and 1 died. Liver function test was normal in 55%. All except the death from delirium tremens responded to treatment with a combination of anxiolytics, thiamine and antipsychotics and were rapidly discharged. The mean stay was 7 days. However, (68%) did not return for follow up and only 4 were abstinent from alcohol at the time of follow up. (+info)
Psychiatric disorders in ASEAN-migrants in Malaysia--a university hospital experience.
(70/2188)
Malaysia's workforce presently includes 13% foreigners most coming from the neighboring ASEAN-countries. No data of the prevalence of psychiatric disorders amongst this population is currently available. METHOD: All patients from ASEAN-countries admitted to the University Hospital, Kuala Lumpur between January 1994 and June 1996 were included in a prospective study. RESULTS: During the study period 39 patients were admitted. Five patients were male (12.8%) and 34 female (87.2%). Most came from Indonesia (51.3%) and the Philippines (41.0%), while one each was from Brunei, Singapore and Thailand. Thirty (76.9%) were working in Malaysia as unskilled workers, 23 (59.0%) as maids. Six of the patients (15.4%) were married to Malaysians and only three (7.2%) held white-collar jobs. Three patients (7.2%) received the diagnosis schizophrenia and ten (25.6%) acute and transient psychotic disorder. Two (5.1%) were diagnosed as bipolar affective disorder--manic and two (5.1%) as depression without psychotic features. Five patients (12.8%) were depressed and had as well presence of psychotic features. Adjustment disorders mostly with depressed mood was diagnosed in fourteen (35.9%), three (7.2%) received another diagnosis. CONCLUSION: The study showed high rates of acute and transient psychosis as well as adjustment disorders indicating high stress level in this population. In particular maids from Indonesia and the Philippines with their dependent and isolated situation seem vulnerable to develop psychiatric disorders. However, overall the rates of psychiatric admissions (only 1.3%) in the ASEAN-nationals is relatively low and tends to support the view that migrants do not suffer from an excess of mental disorders. (+info)
The dimensions of ocular morbidity amongst the nursing home geriatrics population.
(71/2188)
A cross-sectional prevalence study amongst a nursing home elderly population was carried out at Rumah Sri Kenangan, Seremban, Negeri Sembilan between June 1995 until June 1996. A total of 204 cases of 60 years and older were examined in order to determine the ocular morbidity amongst them. It was found that 47.5% had low vision and 19.1% were legally blind. Cataract was found to be the leading cause of low vision and blindness occurring in 81.4% and 74.3% respectively. Glaucoma occurred in 1% of those who had low vision and none due to macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy. The magnitude of visual impairment and blindness in this nursing home is high but is preventable and avoidable. (+info)
Utilisation of specialist medical manpower in Malaysia.
(72/2188)
One hundred and twenty specialists from the Ministry of Health, the Universities and the private sector provided information on 4,802 patients seen over a total of two hundred and forty working days. This information was used to classify the patients into four categories based on a disease complexity classification. Each specialist's perception on the appropriateness of utilisation of his expertise was obtained. Complex cases requiring specialist expertise in management made up 69.8%, 73.5% and 19.1% of the cases of the Ministry of Health, University and private sector specialists respectively. Underutilisation was most marked with paediatricians and obstetricians in the private sector. The Specialist Register, the Programme for Accreditation of Hospitals and a National Health Financing Plan can be used to influence positively the case-mix of specialists. (+info)