Modified Bahasa Malaysia version of VF-14 questionnaire: assessing the impact of glaucoma in rural area of Malaysia

Purpose: To evaluate the functional impairment of glaucoma patients, using a modified Bahasa Malaysia version of VF‐14 questionnaire, and to correlate the score with the severity of the disease. Methods: One‐to‐one interview by trained interviewers was conducted on glaucoma patients seen in the eye clinic of Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, using a modified validated Bahasa Malaysia version of VF‐14 questionnaire. The severity of glaucoma was determined based on the better‐eye Advanced Glaucoma Intervention Study Scale (AGIS) score of visual field analysis on the latest most reliable visual field. The literacy rate, living situation, better‐eye visual acuity and lens status were also documented. Results: A total of 110 glaucoma patients were recruited (54.5% primary open‐angle glaucoma, 21.8% primary angle‐closure glaucoma, 19.2% normotensive glaucoma and 4.5% pseudoexfoliative glaucoma) and majority with bilateral involvement. Based on the better‐eye AGIS score, 41.5% were in advanced stage, 29.1% moderate and 29.1% mild. There was a significant association between VF‐14 scoring with the better‐eye AGIS score (r =?0. 579, P < 0.001), age (r = ?0.313, P = 0.000) and better‐eye visual acuity (r = ?0.752, P = 0.000). Based on the multivariate analysis, there was a significant association of the questionnaire score and better‐eye AGIS score (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The Bahasa Malaysia version of modified VF‐14 questionnaire is a useful tool in quantifying quality of life among glaucoma patients in rural area with high illiteracy rate and provides moderate correlation with severity of the disease. Customization of quality of life questionnaire according to custom and culture of the community will provide better insight to the functional impairment of glaucoma patients.     

纤维蛋白胶封闭早期滤过泡漏1例

患者,男,63岁,以“左眼突发视力下降,眼部不适,眼红,流泪”主诉就诊。1wk前因继发性青光眼行青光眼阀植入术。同一眼1a前曾行扩大的小梁切除术,手术失效。眼科检查结果：最佳矫正视力为6／18,有滤过泡漏,前房浅,眼压6mmHg。应用纤维蛋白胶成功封闭滤过泡漏,前房加深,眼压升至13mmHg。此病例说明纤维蛋白胶是治疗早期滤过泡漏的有效方法。     

Pleomorphic adenoma in the palpebral lobe of the lacrimal gland misdiagnosed as chalazion

We reported a case of pleomorphic adenoma of the lacrimal gland involving the palpebral lobe in young teenage girl of Asian origin. The presentation at young age group is rare, which initially misdiagnosed as a large chalazion. The benign tumor with its intact pseudocapsule was removed through lateral orbitotomy together with the suspicious looking orbital lobe.     

Dengue related maculopathy and foveolitis

A 24 year-old Malay lady presented with high grade fever, myalgia, generalized rashes, severe headache and was positive for dengue serology test. Her lowest platelet count was 45 × 10⁹ cells/L. She complained of sudden onset of painlessness, profound loss of vision bilaterally 7 days after the onset of fever. On examination, her right eye best corrected vision was 6/30 and left eye was 6/120. Her anterior segment examination was unremarkable. Funduscopy revealed there were multiple retinal haemorrhages found at posterior pole of both fundi and elevation at fovea area with subretinal fluid. Systemic examination revealed normal findings except for residual petechial rashes. She was managed conservatively. Her vision improved tremendously after 2 months. The retinal hemorrhages and foveal elevation showed sign of resolving. Ocular manifestations following dengue fever is rare. However, bilateral visual loss can occur if both fovea are involved.     

Child abuse and neglect as seen in General Hospital, Kuala Lumpur--a two year study

Eighty-six children diagnosed as child abuse and/or neglect were admitted to the Paediatric wards of the General Hospital, Kuala Lumpur during 1985 and 1986. Of these cases, 62 were of physical abuse, six of sexual abuse, one case of both physical and sexual abuse and 17 of neglect. There were 25 boys and 61 girls. Thirty-four of these children were Malays, 16 Chinese, 26 Indians, three mixed and seven illegal immigrants. Twenty-one were below the age of one year, 24 from one to four years, 25 from five to nine years and 16 were ten years and above. The abusers were mainly close members of the family. Of these children, 24 were sent back to their parents and 11 to their relatives home. Twenty-seven were taken into care by the Ministry of Social Welfare and the remaining seven children who were illegal immigrants, were deported with their parents. Only one child was successfully fostered. Eleven children were taken away from the hospital by their parents or guardians without the knowledge of the health staff. There were five deaths in the series.     

Relationship between pulmonary function and degree of spinal deformity,location of apical vertebrae and age among adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients

INTRODUCTION

This retrospective review aimed to examine the relationship between preoperative pulmonary function and the Cobb angle, location of apical vertebrae and age in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). To our knowledge, there have been no detailed analyses of preoperative pulmonary function in relation to these three factors in AIS.

METHODS

A total of 38 patients with thoracic or thoracolumbar scoliosis were included. Curvature of spinal deformity was measured using the Cobb method. Forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) were used to evaluate preoperative pulmonary function. Statistical methods were used to analyse the relationship between preoperative pulmonary function and the factors that may contribute to poor pulmonary function.

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients was 16.68 ± 6.04 years. An inverse relationship was found between the degree of the Cobb angle and FVC as well as FEV1; however, the relationships were not statistically significant (p = 0.057 and p = 0.072, respectively). There was also a trend towards a significant negative correlation between the thoracic curve and FVC (p = 0.014). Patients with larger thoracic curves had lower pulmonary function. A one-year increase in age significantly decreased FVC by 1.092 units (p = 0.044). No significant relationship between age and preoperative FEV1 was found. The median FVC was significantly higher in patients with affected apical vertebrae located at levels L1–L3 than at T6–T8 or T9–T12 (p = 0.006).

CONCLUSION

Lung function impairment was seen in more severe spinal deformities, proximally-located curvature and older patients.     

纤维蛋白胶封闭早期滤过泡漏1例(英文)

患者,男,63岁,以"左眼突发视力下降,眼部不适,眼红,流泪"主诉就诊。1wk前因继发性青光眼行青光眼阀植入术。同一眼1a前曾行扩大的小梁切除术,手术失效。眼科检查结果:最佳矫正视力为6/18,有滤过泡漏,前房浅,眼压6mmHg。应用纤维蛋白胶成功封闭滤过泡漏,前房加深,眼压升至13mmHg。此病例说明纤维蛋白胶是治疗早期滤过泡漏的有效方法。