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Competing Interests: None

Introduction: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a progressive condition in which the pancreatic beta-cell function deteriorates with increasing duration of the disease. When good glycaemic control is not achieved despite adherence to oral hypoglycaemic drugs, healthy diet and lifestyle, insulin should be initiated. However, this is often delayed due to various reasons. We aimed to determine the issues relating to insulin initiation for diabetic patients managed in primary care polyclinics in Singapore., Methods: Qualitative data was obtained during four focus group discussions, with participation from healthcare professionals (HCPs), including physicians and nurses, and type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. The data was transcribed into text, coded and grouped into themes., Results: Launching the topic and doctor-patient communication on insulin therapy were key issues in insulin initiation. Patient barriers to insulin commencement included: refusal to acknowledge the need for insulin therapy; its perception as a social stigma, an inconvenient mode of treatment or punishment for failure; and fear of needles, side-effects and complications. The HCP's attitude and experience with insulin therapy were also possible barriers., Conclusion: Our findings highlight that insulin initiation is affected by the complex interaction between the patients and HCPs, and other system factors. Patients may harbour misconceptions about insulin due to the late introduction of insulin therapy by HCPs or the way the therapy is being communicated to them. The key issues to address are the disparity in perceptions of diabetic control between HCPs and patients, and education regarding the need for insulin therapy.

Introduction: This study compares the efficacy of abdominal and vaginal routes in correcting severe uterovaginal or vault prolapses by examining their primary surgical outcomes., Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on operations performed from March 1998 to December 2001. The classifications of uterovaginal prolapse and vault prolapse were based on the Halfway system. It involved 177 women with at least grade 4 uterovaginal prolapse or grade 3 vault prolapse, and had undergone vaginal sacrospinous ligament fixation or abdominal sacrocolpopexy. The subjects were divided into two groups: 113 women who had an abdominal sacrocolpopexy and 64 women who had a vaginal sacrospinous ligament fixation. The primary surgical outcome measures was classified as cured, improved or failure according to our definition at their last follow-up., Results: The abdominal sacrocolpopexy group had significantly greater intra-operative blood loss, operating time, haematuria, longer postoperative catheterisation and hospitalisation. Vaginal sacrospinous ligament fixation had more suture erosion. 95.6 percent of women with abdominal sacrocolpopexy were cured compared to 79.7 percent with vaginal sacrospinous ligament fixation. Five (4.4 percent) patients in the abdominal sacrocolpopexy group and six (9.4 percent) in the vaginal sacrospinous ligament fixation group defaulted their six-month follow-up with a mean follow-up of 18.1 months (range 0.9-48.1 months) and 13.2 months (range 1.1-29.1 months), respectively., Conclusion: Abdominal sacrocolpopexy is more effective in correcting severe uterovaginal or vault prolapses but it is associated with higher intra- and post-operative morbidity compared to vaginal sacrospinous ligament fixation. Vaginal sacrospinous ligament fixation is preferred in patients with medical disorders.

Introduction: To assess anxiety levels in mothers before and after undergoing amniocentesis. The secondary aim was to see how counselling by nurse-counsellors affected maternal anxiety levels., Methods: A prospective study was carried out from February 2000 to August 2000 at the Kandang Kerbau Women's and Children's Hospital in Singapore. We used standard statistical analysis and Spielberger's state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI), that consisted of 40 items, to assess anxiety levels. Anxiety levels were assessed at different stages: before and after counselling; before amniocentesis and after amniocentesis; when results were disclosed; and after the routine 20-week screening ultrasound scan was acknowledged four to six weeks later. English-speaking women were recruited for the study as the STAI questionnaire has only been validated for an English-speaking population. 195 at-risk mothers (advanced maternal age, abnormal nuchal translucency on ultrasound scan, previous abnormal baby and high-risk maternal serum screening results) and patients requesting for amniocentesis between 15 to 20 weeks gestation were recruited., Results: 156 mothers agreed to amniocentesis. 38 mothers declined amniocentesis. S-anxiety levels declined significantly after counselling by trained nurse-counsellors in all mothers counselled. S-anxiety levels were highest and significantly higher compared to all other times just prior to amniocentesis despite counselling. Anxiety levels were the lowest and significantly lower compared to all other times at the last assessment stage., Conclusion: High level of anxiety prior to amniocentesis despite counselling is understandable due to the invasive nature of the procedure. There is no long-lasting post-procedural anxiety to the mother.

Introduction: To assess anxiety levels in mothers with low-risk pregnancies before and after offering routine serum screening., Methods: A prospective study was carried out at the Kandang Kerbau Women's and Children's Hospital in Singapore from February 2000 to August 2000. We used standard statistical analysis and Spielberger's state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI) which consists of 40 items to assess anxiety. Anxiety levels were assessed at several stages: before serum screening counselling, after counselling but before serum screening, before the routine 20-week obstetrical screening ultrasound scan, and after ultrasound scan results were acknowledged four to six weeks later. As the STAI questionnaire has only been validated for an English-speaking population, only English-speaking women were recruited for the study. The subjects included 111 women between 15 to 20 weeks gestation that were randomly selected (without any risk factors) for serum screening counselling., Results: Anxiety levels did not decline significantly after counselling by a trained nurse-counsellor. They were highest prior to counselling and were significantly higher compared to all other times in which anxiety was assessed. Anxiety levels were lowest after the serum screening and routine 20-week screening ultrasound scan results were acknowledged. They were also significantly lower compared to all other times in which anxiety was assessed., Conclusion: Anxiety before serum screening was not abnormally high and routine serum screening offered by trained nurse counsellors did not significantly increase maternal anxiety in mothers with low risk pregnancies.