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Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common metabolic and reproductive disorder affecting women of childbearing age. Its symptoms associated with androgen excess and menstrual abnormalities have great impact on the quality of life in women with PCOS. Data on the knowledge of PCOS and health-related practices among Malaysian women is scarce. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, knowledge and health-related practices of PCOS among women in Klang Valley, Malaysia. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among women in Klang Valley, Malaysia using a self-administered questionnaire. Participants were conveniently recruited through online platforms. Questionnaire consisted of four sections. The knowledge scores ranged from 0-20 where < 10 was classified as poor knowledge. Health-related practices scores ranged from 10-50, with score <30 was classified as poor practice. Descriptive statistics was used to report demographic characteristics. Inferential statistics was used to report the differentiation, association, and correlations of the variables. Results: A total of 410 respondents participated in this survey. The finding revealed that 43 (10.49%) respondents had medical diagnosis of PCOS, 11 (2.68%) were diagnosed with PCOS based on signs and symptoms, and 135 (32.93%) were suspected with PCOS. Nearly half of the respondents had poor knowledge (47.30%) and poor practice (47.60%) of PCOS. Also, 46 (11.22%) respondents reported abnormal scalp hair loss and 30 (7.32%) respondents had diabetes. Educational levels and PCOS history were significantly associated with PCOS knowledge. Respondents with healthcare related educational background demonstrated good knowledge (p<0.01). Majority of respondents (n= 328, 80%) were unable to control their diets on weekends. Married participants and aged between 40 to 45 women showed better practice of PCOS. Conclusion: Nearly half of the respondents had poor knowledge and healthrelated practices towards PCOS. Women with suspected or diagnosed PCOS should seek immediate medical help as early diagnosis and treatment for PCOS are beneficial in improving their quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several studies in different countries have looked at their public interest in using Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) during the COVID-19 outbreak but there is no study conducted in Malaysia. Overall, most populations are interested in taking or have taken CAM during the COVID-19 outbreak as a way to boost their immunity and get rid of the infections. This study was aimed to identify the types and patterns of CAM usage during the COVID-19 pandemic among the general public in Klang Valley and to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of CAM during COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire adapted from a previous study was utilised for data collection. A total of 384 participants were recruited to participate in this study using convenience sampling using the online Raosoft Software. Malaysians aged 18 years old and above, staying in Klang Valley and able to understand English/Malay/Chinese were included in the study; while non-Malaysian, participants aged below 18 years old and who were unable to understand English/Malay/Chinese were excluded from the study participation. Statistical analyses were performed using the IBM SPSS Statistics Version 26. Data was analysed using descriptive and inferential analysis. The prevalence of CAM usage during COVID-19 was found to be 89.3%. where the majority of the responded were aged between 18-30 years old. More than half respondents showed poor knowledge (n=196, 51%), negative attitudes (n=204, 53.1%), and bad practice (n=215, 56%) towards CAM usage. A significant association was found between knowledge and practice (p-value < 0.001). Respondents who had poor knowledge of CAM were more likely to have poor CAM practice. Biologically based therapies are the most frequently used CAM approach during the COVID-19 pandemic. High prevalence of CAM usage was reported during COVID-19. The study findings identified the common CAM utilised during the pandemic. Participants' low knowledge and negative perception may play an important role to influence their poor practices. Thus, these are vulnerable groups, and strategies should be made to educate them through proper counselling and education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients suffer from multiple comorbidities and complications as a cause or consequence of kidney disease. Information regarding medication- prescribing patterns in predialysis patients is sparse. We conducted a retrospective study to evaluate the medication prescription patterns among predialysis patients. Medical records (both paper based and computerized) of patients at CKD Resource Centre, Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, were reviewed. A total of 615 eligible cases were included in the study. The mean number of medications prescribed per patient was 8.22 ± 2.81, and medication use was correlated to the renal function (stage 3a < stage 3b < stage 4 < stage 5; P <0.001). The top three prescribed medication groups were found to be lipid-lowering agents, calcium channel blockers, and antiplatelet agents. Some medication classes such as nonaluminum/noncalcium phosphate binders, erythropoietin-stimulating agents, and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blockers, particularly in advanced stage, were found to be underutilized. In conclusion, predialysis patients are prescribed a large number of medications. Our findings highlight the need for assessing the impact of current medication-prescribing patterns on morbidity and mortality rates in Malaysian predialysis population.

Context and Objective: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an escalating medical and socioeconomic problem worldwide. Information concerning the causes of CKD, which is a prerequisite for reducing the disease burden, is sparse in Malaysia. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the attributable causes of CKD in an adult population at a tertiary referral hospital., Design and Setting: Retrospective study at Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM)., Methods: This was an analysis based on medical records of adult patients at HUSM. Data regarding demographics, laboratory investigations, attributable causes and CKD stage were gathered., Results: A total of 851 eligible cases were included. The patients' mean age was 61.18 ± 13.37 years. CKD stage V was found in 333 cases (39.1%) whereas stages IV, IIIb, IIIa, and II were seen in 240 (28.2%), 186 (21.9%), 74 (8.7%) and 18 (2.1%), respectively. The percentage of CKD stage V patients receiving renal replacement therapy was 15.6%. The foremost attributable causes of CKD were diabetic nephropathy (DN) (44.9%), hypertension (HPT) (24.2%) and obstructive uropathy (9.2%). The difference in the prevalence of CKD due to DN, HPT and glomerulonephritis between patients ≤ 50 and > 50 years old was statistically significant., Conclusion: Our results suggest that DN and HPT are the major attributable causes of CKD among patients at a Malaysian tertiary-care hospital. Furthermore, the results draw attention to the possibility that greater emphasis on primary prevention of diabetes and hypertension will have a great impact on reduction of hospital admissions due to CKD in Malaysia.