Ann Acad Med Singap
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Ann Acad Med Singap · Nov 1997
Functional status of the elderly in Singapore--the trend over a decade.
The study looks at the level and types of functional disabilities of a random sample of elderly individuals in the community through direct interviews using a questionnaire in 1992 and compares the results to that obtained from a similar study done in 1982. Two hundred and eighty-three elderly aged 60 years and above were studied. In the activities of daily living (ADL) functions category, most elderly individuals were independent in dressing (96.1%), bathing (95.4%), preparing meals (92.6%) and using the toilet (89.4%). ⋯ There was also significant increase in the number of elderly confined to bed most of the time, from 1% to 2.8%. The only activity that showed a reverse trend was food preparation. The trend of dependence among the elderly is growing and deserves further specific studies to examine the possible reasons for the increasing disabilities in the elderly population, especially as the population is ageing rapidly.
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Malaria is still the most common infectious cause of mortality and morbidity in Viet Nam as it is in many developing countries in the tropics. The presence of resistance to available antimalarials and compliance in the target population are factors that influence the choice of drugs and regimens. ⋯ Concerning severe and complicated malaria, parenteral or rectal multi-doses of artemisinin or analogues are recommended due to their rapid parasite clearance time and other possible anti-cytoadherence effects. With its rapid parasite clearance, very early treatment of uncomplicated cases with artemisinin (and derivatives), especially at a health post level may help to prevent the development of complications, consequently reducing the number of severe cases and the malaria mortality rate.
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Ann Acad Med Singap · Jul 1997
Case ReportsPopliteal artery aneurysm: two case reports of acute lower limb ischaemia.
Two cases of thrombosed popliteal artery aneurysm causing acute ischaemia were described. This report emphasises the importance of early diagnosis and surgical intervention of this condition. We then present a brief review of clinical presentation and current management of popliteal artery aneurysm. ⋯ Failure to recognise this limb-threatening condition can lead to delay in treatment and even limb loss. It is therefore important to increase awareness of this condition. Popliteal artery aneurysm warrants early surgical intervention, even in an asymptomatic stage because of its potential for serious complications.
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Ann Acad Med Singap · Jul 1997
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialPreoperative versus postoperative pethidine for extraction of impacted third molars.
We have studied the pre-emptive analgesic effects of pethidine by comparing its analgesic effects given before or immediately after operation in a randomized, double-blind study of 40 patients undergoing removal of bilateral impacted third molars under general anaesthesia. Group 1 patients received pethidine 50 mg as a 1 ml injection 1 to 2 hours before operation and normal saline 1 ml intramuscularly immediately after surgery. Group 2 patients received normal saline 1 ml intramuscularly before operation and pethidine 50 mg as a 1 ml injection immediately after surgery. ⋯ Four patients in group 1 compared to 8 in group 2 required postoperative pethidine but this was not statistically significant. The VAS scores, time to first postoperative pethidine injection and total dose of pethidine also did not differ significantly between the 2 groups. We concluded that preoperative administration of pethidine intramuscularly did not confer additional analgesic effects compared with a similar dose given after surgery.
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Ann Acad Med Singap · Jul 1997
Comparative StudyPenetrating keratoplasty in the Singapore National Eye Centre and donor cornea acquisition in the Singapore Eye Bank.
We analyzed all penetrating keratoplasties performed in the Singapore National Eye Centre from 1 January 1991 to 31 December 1995, using records of the Singapore Eye Bank Registry, evaluating the indications, complications, causes of graft failure, visual outcome and graft survival rate. We also looked into donor cornea acquisition in the Singapore Eye Bank and its influence on the development of corneal transplantation in the Singapore National Eye Centre. A total of 327 penetrating keratoplasties were performed during the 5-year period. ⋯ Donor corneas for the penetrating keratoplasties were obtained from foreign eye banks as well as locally, with the local donation rate steadily increasing from 1991 to 1996, with the establishment of proper eye banking facilities and the Singapore Eye Bank. These results show that the indications and outcome of penetrating keratoplasty in the Singapore National Eye Centre are similar and comparable to that of other centres with established corneal grafting programmes. The establishment of the Singapore Eye Bank has ensured the proper co-ordination of acquisition of donor material which has been vital to the development of corneal transplantation in the Singapore National Eye Centre.