Global prevalence of depression and anxiety in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: Systematic review and meta-analysis

Darren Jun Hao Tan,Sabrina Xin Zi Quek,Jie Ning Yong,Adithya Suresh,Kaiser Xuan Ming Koh,Wen Hui Lim,Jingxuan Quek,Ansel Tang,Caitlyn Tan,Benjamin Nah,Eunice Tan,Taisei Keitoku,Mark D. Muthiah,Nichola 대한간학회 2022 Clinical and Molecular Hepatology(대한간학회지) Vol.28 No.4

Background/Aims: Depression and anxiety are associated with poorer outcomes in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the prevalence of depression and anxiety in HCC are unclear. We aimed to establish the prevalence of depression and anxiety in patients with HCC. Methods: MEDLINE and Embase were searched and original articles reporting prevalence of anxiety or depression in patients with HCC were included. A generalized linear mixed model with Clopper-Pearson intervals was used to obtain the pooled prevalence of depression and anxiety in patients with HCC. Risk factors were analyzed via a fractional-logistic regression model. Results: Seventeen articles involving 64,247 patients with HCC were included. The pooled prevalence of depression and anxiety in patients with HCC was 24.04% (95% confidence interval [CI], 13.99–38.11%) and 22.20% (95% CI, 10.07–42.09%) respectively. Subgroup analysis determined that the prevalence of depression was lowest in studies where depression was diagnosed via clinician-administered scales (16.07%;95% CI, 4.42–44.20%) and highest in self-reported scales (30.03%; 95% CI, 17.19–47.01%). Depression in patients with HCC was lowest in the Americas (16.44%; 95% CI, 6.37–36.27%) and highest in South-East Asia (66.67%; 95% CI, 56.68–75.35%). Alcohol consumption, cirrhosis, and college education significantly increased risk of depression in patients with HCC. Conclusions: One in four patients with HCC have depression, while one in five have anxiety. Further studies are required to validate these findings, as seen from the wide CIs in certain subgroup analyses. Screening strategies for depression and anxiety should also be developed for patients with HCC.

Honey Bee Based Load Balancing in Cloud Computing

( Melissa Teo ),( Tan Jui Horng ),( Zetty Akhtar bte Md Eizak ),( Esther Lim ),( Eunice Ho ),( Jamila Binti Mustaffa ) 한국인터넷정보학회 2017 KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Syst Vol.11 No.12

The technology of cloud computing is growing very quickly, thus it is required to manage the process of resource allocation. In this paper, load balancing algorithm based on honey bee behavior (LBA_HB) is proposed. Its main goal is distribute workload of multiple network links in the way that avoid underutilization and over utilization of the resources. This can be achieved by allocating the incoming task to a virtual machine (VM) which meets two conditions; number of tasks currently processing by this VM is less than number of tasks currently processing by other VMs and the deviation of this VM processing time from average processing time of all VMs is less than a threshold value. The proposed algorithm is compared with different scheduling algorithms; honey bee, ant colony, modified throttled and round robin algorithms. The results of experiments show the efficiency of the proposed algorithm in terms of execution time, response time, makespan, standard deviation of load, and degree of imbalance.

IDENTIFYING SUPPORT NEEDS OF ELDERLY CAREGIVERS OF CLIENTS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES IN SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT SERVICES IN SINGAPORE

Melissa Teo,Tan Jui Horng,Zetty Akhtar bte Md Eizak,Esther Lim,Eunice Ho,Jamila Binti Mustaffa 대구대학교 한국특수교육문제연구소 2017 Asia-Pacific Journal of Intellectual Disabilities Vol.4 No.2

The expanding population of elderly parents who continue to care for their child with intellectual disabilities well into old age is a growing concern (Hubert & Hollins, 2000). The research aims to assess the needs of elderly parents as caregivers and the perceived needs of their child with intellectual disabilities. Semi structured interviews were undertaken with 10 caregivers aged 65 years and above. The interviews focused on identifying elderly caregivers’ needs and the perceived needs of their child. Care plans were developed, in which caregivers’ and clients’ needs were prioritized. Elderly caregivers expressed support needs in several areas; social interaction and emotional support were common themes. When discussing their child’s care plan, the need for their child to acquire Activities of Daily Living Skills and functional academics were some pertinent concerns. Other significant needs in their child’s care plan include transitional planning, residential support and early intervention of medical issues. Identifying the support needs of elderly caregivers, and developing appropriate care plans are important to provide the necessary support as they age. Emphasis was also given in training clients to be independent, with the goal that they can be a support to their elderly parents.

An evaluation of dietary adequacy among patients with constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome in Malaysia

( Nor Hamizah Shafiee ),( Nurul Huda Razalli ),( Norfilza M. Mokhtar ),( Eunice Tan ),( Raja Affendi Raja Ali ) 대한장연구학회 2022 Intestinal Research Vol.20 No.1

Background/Aims: Substantial proportions of patients with constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C) linked their symptoms with particular intake of foods. However, there is lack of current data regarding the intake among IBS-C patients before any dietary interventions. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the dietary adequacy among IBS-C against the standard recommended nutrient intake (RNI) and healthy controls. Methods: A retrospective case-control study was conducted involving IBS-C patients and healthy control subjects. A validated 126-food items frequency questionnaire was administered to all the subjects to assess their dietary intake, guided by dietitians. The calculated nutrients intake for IBS-C patients was then compared against the standard RNI and healthy controls. Results: A total of 306 subjects were recruited, among which 218 were diagnosed with IBS-C and 88 were included as healthy controls. IBS-C patients had significantly lower intake of wholegrain products, fried foods, dairy products, fruits, and vegetables compared to healthy controls. The daily intake of energy, certain macronutrients, and micronutrients among IBS-C patients was significantly lower than the healthy subjects. Less than 5% of IBS-C patients and healthy subjects achieved the standard recommendation for dietary fiber. Also, various vitamin intake (B₁, B₂, B₆, folate, B₁₂, E, K, and potassium) among IBS-C patients did not meet the standard RNI. Conclusions: Dietary intakes of IBS-C patients did not meet the recommended intake for Malaysian and showed the nutritional inadequacies compared to the control subjects. Our study highlighted the importance of dietary evaluation prior to planning strategies for dietary intervention targeting IBS-C patients. (Intest Res 2022;20:124-133)

Global incidence and prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Margaret LP Teng,Cheng Han Ng,Daniel Q. Huang,Kai En Chan,Darren JH Tan,Wen Hui Lim,Ju Dong Yang,Eunice Tan,Mark D. Muthiah 대한간학회 2023 Clinical and Molecular Hepatology(대한간학회지) Vol.29 No.-

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a leading cause of liver disease worldwide. The estimated global incidence of NAFLD is 47 cases per 1,000 population and is higher among males than females. The estimated global prevalence of NAFLD among adults is 32% and is higher among males (40%) compared to females (26%). The global prevalence of NAFLD has increased over time, from 26% in studies from 2005 or earlier to 38% in studies from 2016 or beyond. The prevalence of NAFLD varies substantially by world region, contributed by differing rates of obesity, and genetic and socioeconomic factors. The prevalence of NAFLD exceeds 40% in the Americas and South-East Asia. The prevalence of NAFLD is projected to increase significantly in multiple world regions by 2030 if current trends are left unchecked. In this review, we discuss trends in the global incidence and prevalence of NAFLD and discuss future projections.

Insights from a Prospective Follow-up of Thyroid Function and Autoimmunity among COVID-19 Survivors

David Tak Wai Lui,Chi-Ho Lee,Wing-Sun Chow,Alan Chun Hong Lee,Anthony Raymond Tam,Carol Ho Yi Fong,Chun Yiu Law,Eunice Ka Hong Leung,Kelvin Kai Wang To,Kathryn Choon Beng Tan,Yu-Cho Woo,Ching Wan Lam 대한내분비학회 2021 Endocrinology and metabolism Vol.36 No.3

Background: The occurrence of Graves’ disease and Hashimoto thyroiditis after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) raised concerns that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) may trigger thyroid autoimmunity. We aimed to address the current uncertainties regarding incident thyroid dysfunction and autoimmunity among COVID-19 survivors. Methods: We included consecutive adult COVID-19 patients without known thyroid disorders, who were admitted to Queen Mary Hospital from July 21 to September 21, 2020 and had serum levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone, free thyroxine, free triiodothyronine (fT3), and anti-thyroid antibodies measured both on admission and at 3 months. Results: In total, 122 patients were included. Among 20 patients with abnormal thyroid function tests (TFTs) on admission (mostly low fT3), 15 recovered. Among 102 patients with initial normal TFTs, two had new-onset abnormalities that could represent different phases of thyroiditis. Among 104 patients whose anti-thyroid antibody titers were reassessed, we observed increases in anti-thyroid peroxidase (TPO) (P<0.001) and anti-thyroglobulin (P<0.001), but not anti-thyroid stimulating hormone receptor titers (P=0.486). Of 82 patients with negative anti-TPO findings at baseline, 16 had a significant interval increase in anti-TPO titer by >12 U, and four became anti-TPO-positive. Worse baseline clinical severity (P=0.018), elevated C-reactive protein during hospitalization (P=0.033), and higher baseline anti-TPO titer (P=0.005) were associated with a significant increase in anti-TPO titer. Conclusion: Most patients with thyroid dysfunction on admission recovered during convalescence. Abnormal TFTs suggestive of thyroiditis occurred during convalescence, but infrequently. Importantly, our novel observation of an increase in anti-thyroid antibody titers post-COVID-19 warrants further follow-up for incident thyroid dysfunction among COVID-19 survivors.