Medical Journal of Malaysia最新文献

{"title":"Exploring prenatal risk factors associated with congenital anomalies among newborns in national referral hospital, Indonesia.","authors":"L Novianti, R Irwinda","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Congenital anomalies (CAs) account for approximately 8 to 15% of perinatal deaths and 13 to 16% of neonatal deaths. Congenital anomalies are a significant public health issue in Indonesia, affecting approximately 59.3 per 1,000 live births. The three most frequent malformations were hydrocephalus (21%), cleft lip and cleft palate (9.2%) and Down Syndrome (9.2%).</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>A retrospective case-control study was conducted at Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital, Jakarta, between September 2023 and October 2024. Data from 552 births were analysed, including 97 cases of congenital anomalies (CAs). Maternal, fetal, and environmental factors were assessed using medical records and documented clinical histories. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, cross-tabulations, binary logistic regression, and multivariable logistic regression.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The prevalence of CAs was 17.6%. Significant maternal risk factors included a history of congenital anomalies (OR = 3.7, 95% CI: 0.88-16.00) and severe anemia (OR = 4.37, 95% CI: 2.48-7.69). Environmental risks, such as drug use in the first trimester (OR = 3.43, 95% CI: 2.01-5.86), passive smoking (OR = 4.10, 95% CI: 1.89-8.90), and pesticide exposure (OR = 3.92, 95% CI: 1.26-12.17), were also significant. Folic acid supplementation showed a significant protective effect against congenital anomalies (OR = 0.56, p = 0.001), although the usage rate remained low (35.5%).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study found a significant association between congenital anomalies and risk factors such as passive smoking, exposure to pesticides, and chemicals. It highlights the importance of ongoing community health education to prevent and manage these predisposing risk factors.</p>","PeriodicalId":39388,"journal":{"name":"Medical Journal of Malaysia","volume":"80 5","pages":"582-588"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145187029","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A national survey on percutaneous tracheostomy practice in Malaysian adult general intensive care units.","authors":"K M Teah, N A Ibrahim, S Ganesh, J Jamil","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Percutaneous tracheostomy (PT) has gained increasing acceptance over surgical tracheostomy (ST) in the last few decades due to lower rates of postoperative infections, less bleeding, and cost-effectiveness. However, there has been little information regarding the PT practice in Malaysian adult general intensive care units (ICU). The objective of the study was to assess the current practice of PT in Malaysia.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>This observational cross-sectional study used a validated questionnaire with 15 items. A total of 61 ICUs consisting of adult general ICUs under Ministry of Health (MOH) hospitals and adult general ICUs in university teaching hospitals were recruited into the study whereas ICUs in private hospitals and specialist ICUs were excluded from this study. The questionnaire was subsequently distributed to the heads of those 61 ICUs through existing WhatsApp or Telegram groups and the data collection period lasted four months.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Fifty-three out of 61 ICUs participated. Ninety point six percent of the responses came from MOH hospitals, whereas 9.4% came from university hospitals. The heads in participating ICUs comprised 35.8% intensivists and 64.2% anaesthetists. At the time of the survey, 45.3% of ICUs were still practicing PT, 13.2% had performed PTs in the past but stopped whereas 41.5% were not. The rate of PT (both actively practising and formerly practised combined) in intensivist-led ICUs was 94.7% compared to 38.2% in anaesthetist-led ICUs. Intensivists performed PTs in almost two-thirds of ICUs, while anaesthetists did so in another two-thirds. The vast majority of assistants were medical officers at 96.8%. The Ciaglia Blue Rhino technique was the predominant technique (71.0%) while airway management during the technique was solely via endotracheal tube. Ninety-six point eight percent of the ICUs employed routine infiltration of local anaesthetics prior to PT. Thirty-eight point seven percent of performers of PT routinely used fibreoptic bronchoscopy but only 6.4% used ultrasonography. Seventy-four point two percent used tracheostomy tubes with inner cannulae and 83.9% routinely followed up with patients post-discharge from the ICU. Seventy-nine point two percent of respondents believed PT was the method of choice for elective tracheostomy in the ICU but only 49.1% perceived PT to be safer compared to ST.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>PT is commonly practised in intensivist-led ICUs. PT is generally preferred for elective tracheostomy but there is a variability in perceptions regarding its safety compared to ST.</p>","PeriodicalId":39388,"journal":{"name":"Medical Journal of Malaysia","volume":"80 5","pages":"562-568"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145187074","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Sleep Goal Index (SGI) - A new success outcome criteria on 618 OSA patients.","authors":"K P Pang, E Olszewska, I Braverman, H C Yang, U Alkan, Y H Chan, C Vicini, G Cammarato, E Bovolenta, R C T Cheong, S Unadkat, J K Siow, I Shochat, A Bahgat, S Kishore, S Chandra, M Carrasco-Llatas, P Baptista, M Casale, S B Pang, J W Lim, F Montevecchi, E Pang, C E Pang, B Rotenberg","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Sleep-Goal Index (SGI) comprises of Blood Pressure, AHI (number of apnoea and hypopnea events per hour), T90 (duration of oxygen below 90% and BMI (body mass index). This study aims to demonstrate SGI as a holistic, comprehensive and practical measurement of treatment outcomes in OSA (obstructive sleep apnoea) management.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>A prospective 10-center clinical trial of 618 OSA patients, who underwent nose, palate and/or tongue surgery. Pre- and post-operative data were analyzed and compared with the Sher's criteria (AHI reduction 50% and <20) and the Sleep Goal Index.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>There were 514 males and 104 females, mean age of 45.8±13.1 years. Mean snore VAS improved from 7.6±1.9 to 2.8±2.1 (p<0.001), mean Epworth score (ESS) improved from 11.5±4.8 to 5.4±3.5 (p<0.001), mean BMI decreased from 28.6±4.8 to 27.3±5.3 (p<0.001), gross weight decreased from 82.4±14.2kg to 78.1±13.3kg (p<0.001). Mean AHI decreased 37.4±25.7 to 16.4±14.6 (p<0.001), mean LSAT improved 74.5±18.4% to 85.4±7.6% (p<0.001), and mean T90 (time spent <90%) decreased from 27.7±8.9 minutes to 9.7±2.1 minutes (p<0.001). Mean SBP decreased from 130.4±19.4 to 121.1±14.6mmHg, mean DBP decreased from 84.7±13.4 to 79.5±12.3mmHg. The overall success rate (Sher's criteria) was 55.7%. Based on McNemar's test, comparing Sher's criteria and SGI (4 parameters - BP, BMI, T90, AHI), it was demonstrated that fulfilling any 2 out of 4 SGI parameters would be just as sensitive as Sher's criteria, whilst being more holistic and representative of the patients' oxidative stress. From McNemar's test, the overall duo-paired combination and permutations of these 4 SGI parameters ranged from 41.8% to 60.9%.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>AHI as a single parameter to measure OSA treatment success can be unreliable. The SGI is a holistic, comprehensive, easily measured and better patient appreciated measurement index reflecting true end-organ function/improvement.</p>","PeriodicalId":39388,"journal":{"name":"Medical Journal of Malaysia","volume":"80 5","pages":"569-574"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145187049","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Adaptation and validation of the Sleep Quality Scale among Saudi population (A-SQS).","authors":"M Alghamdi","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>The quality of sleep has a significant impact on an individual's health and overall well-being. Given the variability of factors that impact sleep quality and their varying degrees of significance between individuals, the utilization of a self-report approach becomes necessary. The Sleep Quality Scale (SQS) is a widely used self-report measure designed to evaluate sleep quality. It consists of six distinct techniques and encompasses a total of 28 items. The aim of this study was to translate and validate the SQS in the Saudi population.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>A cross-sectional approach was applied to evaluate the reliability, validity, and cross-cultural suitability of the Arabic adaptation of the Sleep Quality Scale (A-SQS) in a sample consisting of 402 individuals, with 33.9% representing females.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The test-retest reliability was found to be significant, with a coefficient of 0.88 at a 15-day interval. Additionally, the principal component factor (PCF) analysis revealed five factors, that accounted for 56.29 % of the total variance. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.90 for internal consistency.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This result determined that the A-SQS possesses a valid and reliable 5-factor structure when applied to the Saudi population. These therefore renders the scale a valid and reliable instrument in both clinical practice and clinical research.</p>","PeriodicalId":39388,"journal":{"name":"Medical Journal of Malaysia","volume":"80 5","pages":"555-561"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145187058","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Autologous serum skin test in chronic spontaneous urticaria: Evaluation of the relationship with disease activity and autoimmune antibodies.","authors":"F Y Lai, M M Sarkan","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is a multifactorial, mast cell driven disorder characterized by wheals, angioedema, or both, lasting for more than six weeks. Autoimmunity, particularly Type IIb autoimmunity, involving IgG autoantibodies directed against either IgE or its high affinity receptor (FcεRI) on mast cells and basophils, plays a significant role in CSU pathogenesis. The Autologous Serum Skin Test (ASST) is a practical tool for detecting IgG autoantibodies and may be associated with the disease severity and the presences of autoimmune antibodies. Nonetheless, previous studies on ASST responses and the clinical features of patients with CSU have conflicting results.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>This study aimed to establish the relationship between ASST positivity and disease activity, assessed by the Urticaria Activity Score 7 (UAS7) and to determine the associations with autoimmune antibodies including anti-thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO), antithyroglobulin antibodies, and antinuclear antibodies (ANA). This cross- sectional study was conducted over a five months period, from January to May 2024, at the Department of Dermatology, in the tertiary hospital located in the capital city of Malaysia. Participants underwent ASST, laboratory evaluation for autoimmune antibodies, and assessment of disease activity using UAS7.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In this study, 24 of the 59 patients were ASST positive, resulting in a prevalence rate of 41%. ASST positive patients demonstrated significantly higher disease activity, with a mean UAS7 score of 23.96 ± 10.55, compared to 13.51 ± 10.88 in ASST negative individuals (p = 0.001). A significant association was also found between ASST positivity and higher UAS7 severity categories (p = 0.011). Furthermore, a significant gender difference was observed with females more likely to exhibit ASST positivity (p = 0.016). Nevertheless, no significant associations were found between ASST results and presence of angioedema (p =1.0), atopy (p = 0.968), or autoimmune antibodies including ANA, anti-TPO, and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies (p > 0.05) CONCLUSION: The significant association between ASST positivity and increased UAS7 scores heightened interplay between autoimmunity, disease severity, and clinical characteristics in CSU, particularly Type IIb autoimmunity subtype. Hence, ASST is a practical clinical tool for identifying autoimmune profile in CSU patients, and aids dermatologist in prognosis assessment and treatment strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":39388,"journal":{"name":"Medical Journal of Malaysia","volume":"80 5","pages":"575-581"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145187041","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Job satisfaction among public health and primary care physicians: A systematic review.","authors":"N M A Siti, S Ghaneshinee, D Faiz, S Nazarudin, M N Azmawati","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Job satisfaction among physicians involved in public health services including public health physicians and primary care physicians is critical for their performance, motivation, and retention. These professionals address systemic health challenges and ensure effective health promotion at the population level. Despite their significance, they face challenges such as high workloads, administrative burdens, and insufficient resources, adversely affecting their satisfaction. This systematic review aims to examine the levels and determinants of job satisfaction among physicians engaged in public health roles.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>This review followed PRISMA guidelines and was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024613843). Articles were retrieved from PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. Fourteen eligible studies were selected based on strict criteria. Data synthesis employed an emerging clusters approach to identify factors influencing job satisfaction, categorised into four themes: job characteristics and role clarity, organisational support and leadership, work environment and culture, and rewards and career development.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Data from 7313 physicians highlighted high workloads (60%) and administrative burdens (53%) as key sources of dissatisfaction. Approximately 44.7% reported high satisfaction, driven by autonomy in decision-making, supportive environments, doctor-patient relationships, and work-life balance. In contrast, 32% experienced moderate satisfaction, linked to manageable administrative tasks and fair remuneration. However, 20% reported low satisfaction, primarily due to excessive workloads, poor leadership support, financial insecurity, and limited career progression opportunities.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Job satisfaction among physicians in public health roles is moderate through a combination of high and low satisfaction factors. These professionals face demanding environments requiring them to balance administrative responsibilities, staff issues, community satisfaction, and resource allocations. Enhancing job satisfaction is essential for improving workforce morale and achieving effective public health outcomes. Implementing targeted interventions to address these challenges can foster long-term workforce stability and organisational success.</p>","PeriodicalId":39388,"journal":{"name":"Medical Journal of Malaysia","volume":"80 5","pages":"612-626"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145187044","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Correlation of bacterial biofilm profile based on optical density cut-off with clinical severity in patients with chronic suppurative otitis media tubotympanic type.","authors":"M Setiawan, M Gaffar, S Wartati, A Qanitha, R Sjahril","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) is a middle ear infection with a high incidence in ear cases, is often recurrent, and causes hearing impairment. Bacteria in the CSOM frequently form biofilms, which enhance antibiotic resistance and contribute to disease progression. The aim of this study was to determine the correlation of bacterial biofilm profiles based on optical density cut-off with the clinical picture of patients with tubotympanic type CSOM.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>This was a cross-sectional study using a descriptive analytical design. The study was conducted at the tertiary teaching hospital of Hasanuddin University and the network hospital in Makassar, Indonesia, from July 2023 to July 2024. The study population consisted of patients with the CSOM tubotympanic type who met the inclusion criteria. Bacterial cultures and biofilm examinations were performed using the tissue culture plate method. Data were analyzed using SPSS® version 28.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 53 patients with the CSOM tubotympanic type were included in this study. The mean age of the patients was 30±14 years. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most dominant bacterium (32.1%), with 20 other bacteria, and all these bacteria formed biofilms with either weak or moderate strength. There was a significant association between biofilm formation and nature of secretion (r=0.395, p=0.003). The chronicity of the disease (r=0.407, p=0.002) and the degree of hearing impairment (r=0.294, p=0.032) were also significant. A significant positive association was found between total clinical score and biofilm formation (r=0.429, p=0.001).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>All bacteria found in the tubotympanic CSOM formed biofilms. The correlation analysis revealed a significant positive relationship between several clinical variables and biofilm formation. The substantial formation of biofilms may account for the fact that patients with elevated scores frequently experience infections that are challenging to manage with conventional antibiotic treatments.</p>","PeriodicalId":39388,"journal":{"name":"Medical Journal of Malaysia","volume":"80 5","pages":"537-543"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145187062","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Carotid endarteretomy: A single vascular centre experience in Malaysia.","authors":"M S Idris, D Y Ling, F F Carol, A R H Ramli","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Carotid artery stenosis remains one of the leading causes of major stroke. Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) has proven effective in preventing debilitating major stroke. However, the data on CEA in Malaysia is still lacking. University of Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia first embarked on CEA since 2017. We are reporting the outcomes of CEA performed in our centre.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>This was a retrospective case series of 20 patients who underwent CEA from the year 2017 until 2024. Patients having asymptomatic (≥60-99%) and symptomatic carotid artery stenosis (≥50-99%) were selected for the procedure. All patients received best medical treatment, which include antithrombotic medications, lipid lowering therapy, blood pressure management, diabetes mellitus management and lifestyle modifications especially smoking cessation. All the patients underwent CEA under general anaesthesia. Shunting was done routinely. Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative data were collected and evaluated. Mortality, myocardial infarction, stroke, postoperative bleeding, surgical site infection and cranial nerve injury at 30 days were the outcomes investigated. We also evaluated restenosis after CEA.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Most patients in our series were males 70% (n = 14) compared to 30% (n = 6) females. There were more symptomatic patients (n = 14) than asymptomatic patients (n = 6). There was one 30-day mortality among the symptomatic patients, while there was no 30-day mortality in the asymptomatic patients. The 30-day myocardial infarction was 5% (n = 1), which was the same symptomatic patient who died. In this cohort, only one patient had 30-day stroke (5%), which was a symptomatic patient. The patient recovered from the stroke after two weeks. Cranial nerve injuries happened in four patients (20%), where the commonest nerve injured was recurrent laryngeal nerve (n = 3). Only one patient had postoperative bleeding which did not need any reintervention. No surgical site infection was noted on all patients. Three patients developed restenosis, which was noted at two to six months post CEA. Two of the patients had symptomatic restenosis (more than 50% stenosis) which resulted in them being reoperated.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The uptake of CEA in Malaysia is still slow. By sharing the outcomes data, hopefully it will create awareness among medical practitioners on the importance of early referral for carotid artery stenosis. Long term outcomes are very much needed.</p>","PeriodicalId":39388,"journal":{"name":"Medical Journal of Malaysia","volume":"80 5","pages":"594-599"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145187091","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"What is the difference between Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease, Eosinophilic Esophagitis and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease?","authors":"T H Koo, R Chowdhary, Y L Lee, X B Leong, A D Zakaria","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) is emerging as a key hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome that affects nearly 40% of the global population. While links between MASLD and conditions such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease are well recognized, recent evidence suggests a potential connection with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This editorial explores overlapping pathophysiology and inflammatory mechanisms shared by MASLD, EoE, and GERD, drawing from the current global literature and a multicenter U.S. cohort study. This editorial highlights how systemic inflammation, oxidative stress, and gut microbiota imbalance may drive these associations. Notably, MASLD was associated with a 2.38-fold increased risk of EoE and a modest but significant association with GERD independent of obesity. These findings underscore the importance of considering MASLD beyond liver-specific pathology and call for further research on shared immunometabolic pathways. An improved awareness of these relationships may guide diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in clinical practice.</p>","PeriodicalId":39388,"journal":{"name":"Medical Journal of Malaysia","volume":"80 5","pages":"533-536"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145187147","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Systematic review of challenges of telehealth-based intervention in managing cancer pain.","authors":"S Mogan, A Samprith, V Muthusamy, D Samuganathan, M T Zaigham, Z Idrees, L Mogan","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Understanding the challenges of telehealth interventions is essential to determining their future direction in cancer pain management, as these are considered complex interventions. This systematic review aimed to identify the challenges associated with telehealthbased interventions in cancer pain management.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. A systematic search was conducted from January 19 to February 2, 2022, covering the past 10 years. Databases searched included PubMed and EBSCO. Inclusion criteria were articles published in English focusing on cancer pain in patients with any cancer diagnosis. Data were extracted on participants, interventions, and outcomes, with a particular focus on challenges reported in each study. A total of 320 publications were retrieved and screened; 38 articles met the inclusion criteria.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The most reported challenge was limited or slow Internet access, followed by lack of technological expertise among healthcare teams and low computer literacy. Human resource-related challenges were also frequently reported, including inadequate reimbursement mechanisms, concerns over malpractice, increased staff workload, and absence of formal organisational structures. In studies conducted after the COVID-19 pandemic, data-related issues such as data security and management were also highlighted.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Telehealth is a rapidly growing technology with the potential to transform healthcare delivery. Addressing the challenges identified in this review may help guide the development and implementation of more effective telehealth interventions in cancer pain management.</p>","PeriodicalId":39388,"journal":{"name":"Medical Journal of Malaysia","volume":"80 5","pages":"600-611"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145187057","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}