Singapore medical journal
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Singapore medical journal · Sep 2023
Mental health-related presentations to a tertiary emergency department during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused significant mental distress in populations globally. At the frontline of the pandemic, emergency departments (EDs) are the prime setting to observe the effects of the pandemic on the mental health of the population. We aimed to describe the trend of mental health-related ED attendances at an acute hospital in Singapore before and during the various stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. ⋯ Our study described an increase in the proportion of high-acuity mental health-related ED attendances during the COVID-19 pandemic. Emergency physicians must be cognisant of the effects of the pandemic on mental health. Further research should be conducted to better equip the healthcare system for handling all aspects of the pandemic.
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Diaphragm rupture (DR) is a rare pathological event usually caused by trauma. We aimed to analyse the characteristics of acute diaphragmatic injuries due to trauma and the treatment of such injuries. ⋯ As traumatic DRs are uncommon and often associated with additional organ injuries, a careful general assessment of the patient should be made.
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Singapore medical journal · Sep 2023
ReviewApproach to headache disorders and the management of migraine: consensus guidelines from the Headache Society of Singapore, first edition (2023).
Headache disorders, particularly migraine, are one of the most common and disabling neurological disorders. There is a need for high-quality, accessible care for patients with headache disorders across all levels of the healthcare system in Singapore. ⋯ In this first edition of local consensus guidelines, we focus on treatment approaches for headaches and provide consensus recommendations for the management of migraine in adults. The recommendations in these guidelines can be used as a practical tool in routine clinical practice by primary care physicians, neurologists and other healthcare professionals who have a common interest in headache disorders.
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Singapore medical journal · Sep 2023
ReviewContemporary wearable and handheld technology for the diagnosis of cardiac arrhythmias in Singapore.
Twelve-lead electrocardiography (ECG) remains the gold standard for the diagnosis of cardiac arrhythmias. It provides a snapshot of the cardiac electrical activity while the leads are attached to the patient. ⋯ The introduction of ECG recording features in wearable and handheld smart devices has changed the paradigm of cardiac arrhythmia diagnosis, empowering patients to record their ECG as and when symptoms occur. This review describes contemporary ambulatory heart rhythm monitors commonly available in Singapore and their expanding role in the diagnosis of cardiac rhythm abnormalities.