Efficacy and Safety of Labisia pumila var alata Water Extract Among Pre- and Postmenopausal Women

Mohd Noor Norhayati,Annie George,Nik Hussain Nik Hazlina,Abdul Kadir Azidah,Hassan Intan Idiana,Kim Sooi Law,Ismail Shaiful Bahari,Wan Mohamed Wan Zahiruddin,Eckehard Liske,Abas Azreena 한국식품영양과학회 2014 Journal of medicinal food Vol.17 No.8

This study evaluated the effectiveness and safety of Labisia pumila var alata (L. pumila) water extract for improving quality of life, cardiovascular and hormonal balance. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group, 16-week study in healthy pre- and postmenopausal women aged 40–60 years was conducted in Kelantan, Malaysia. The subjects were randomized to 400mg propriety extract of L. pumila or placebo. A Women’s Health Questionnaire was used to assess quality of life. Repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to evaluate the data. A total of 197 subjects (L. pumila: n = 102 and placebo: n = 95) were analyzed. Subjects in the herbal group showed improved memory/concentration, vasomotor symptoms, menstrual symptoms, and sleep problems by 8.3%, 15.9%, 11.8%, and 31.0%, respectively. The greatest improvement was observed for the question: ‘‘I get frightened or panic feelings for apparently no reason at all’’ with a 53% decrease as compared with placebo. Improvements were also seen in the cardiovascular parameters, and the safety profiles were normal. Postmenopausal women supplemented with L. pumila showed no changes in gynecological relevant hormones luteinizing hormone (LH), folliclestimulating hormone (FSH), and 17b-Estradiol.Water extract of L. pumila was shown to be safe and effective for improving several parameters of quality of life and cardiovascular risks factors (total cholesterol [TC], low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-C]).

Essential Oils as an Alternative Treatment for Migraine Headache: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Murtey Pireimathy,Noor Norhayati Mohd,Ishak Azlina,Idris Nur Suhaila 대한가정의학회 2024 Korean Journal of Family Medicine Vol.45 No.1

Background: Alternative and complementary medicines are widely used to treat migraine headaches. This review aimed to determine the effectiveness of essential oils as an alternative treatment approach. Methods: A structured search was conducted to identify randomized trials comparing essential oils with a placebo for migraine headaches, using databases (MEDLINE and CENTRAL) to search for articles published between 1966 and 2021. We included trials involving adult males and females diagnosed with migraine headaches according to the International Headache Society. The outcomes included number of attacks, headache severity, associated symptoms, number of days of limited activity, headache duration, use of analgesics, and adverse effects. Seven tri-als were included with a total of 558 participants. Results: No difference was observed in the number of migraine headache attacks compared to placebo (mean dif-ference [MD], -1.34; 95% confidence interval [CI], -3.31 to 0.64; I2=94%; P=0.190; four trials, 242 participants; mod-erate-quality evidence). There was no difference in this outcome between the essential oils treated group and the placebo (MD, -0.38; 95% CI, -1.76 to 0.99; I2 statistics=86%; P=0.580; five trials, 240 participants; moderate-quality evidence). Conclusion: We found no significant difference between the use of essential oils and placebo in managing mi-graine headaches.

Maternal Vitamin D Supplementation for the Prevention of Respiratory Tract Infections in Offspring: A Meta-Analysis

Zaharah Sulaiman,Norhayati Mohd Noor,Shaiful Bahari Ismail,Anis Syahirah Far’ain Mohd Lukman,Muhammad Irfan,Nik Hazlina Nik Hussain 대한가정의학회 2022 Korean Journal of Family Medicine Vol.43 No.3

Background: Vitamin D may enhance immune system function and provide a protective effect against infections. Feto-maternal circulation plays an important role in supplying the developing fetus with nutrients and antibodies for its development and health during pregnancy and for its early years of life after birth. This meta-analysis aimed to determine the effectiveness of maternal vitamin D supplementation in preventing respiratory tract infections (RTIs) in children.Methods: We searched the Central and MEDLINE databases and went through all the reference lists in the related articles. We also searched for ongoing trials at http://www.who.int/ictrp/en/ and www.clinicaltrials.gov. Random-ized controlled trials comparing vitamin D supplementation with a placebo or no treatment in pregnant women published in the English language up to March 2019 were included. Two reviewers extracted data independently using a predefined protocol and assessed the risk of bias using the Cochrane risk of bias tool, with differences agreed upon by consensus. The predefined primary outcome was the number of offspring who had RTIs. The sec-ondary outcome was the presence of measurable serum immunoglobulin E levels.Results: Three trials involving 3,224 participants (mother–child pairs) met the inclusion criteria and were included in this review. The present analysis reported that maternal supplementation with vitamin D had no effect on RTIs among children (n=1,486 offspring; risk ratio, 0.95; 95% confidence interval, 0.82–1.11; random effects; I2 statistics, 0%).Conclusion: Maternal vitamin D supplementation had no effect on RTIs in children. Therefore, consideration of other prevention methods in this regard is recommended.

Metoclopramide for Milk Production in Lactating Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Nik Hazlina Nik Hussain,Norhayati Mohd. Noor,Shaiful Bahari Ismail,Nur Amirah Zainuddin,Zaharah Sulaiman 대한가정의학회 2021 Korean Journal of Family Medicine Vol.42 No.6

Background: Breastfeeding is recognized as the optimal form of nutrition for the physical and neurological devel-opment of infants and is considered the most significant way to prevent child mortality. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of metoclopramide for enhancing milk production in lactating women.Methods: We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and MEDLINE for randomized con-trolled trials comparing metoclopramide with a placebo, no treatment, or other galactagogue drugs. We included breastfeeding women with term or preterm infants.Results: We retrieved 164 records from our search of the electronic databases and 20 records from other sources. Eight trials involving 342 lactating women that used metoclopramide were included in this review after assessing the eligibility criteria. The meta-analysis of these trials revealed that metoclopramide did not increase the milk vol-ume of the intervention groups compared to that of the control groups. There was a significant increase in the se-rum concentrations of prolactin when the mothers were administered metoclopramide. No significant adverse events were reported.Conclusion: Metoclopramide did not improve milk production in lactating women. Therefore, we do not recom-mend using metoclopramide to increase milk production in lactating women.

Exploring dietitians’ views on digital nutrition educational tools in Malaysia: a qualitative study

Manaf Zahara Abdul,Rosli Mohd Hafiz Mohd,Noor Norhayati Mohd,Jamil Nor Aini,Mazri Fatin Hanani,Shahar Suzana 한국영양학회 2024 Nutrition Research and Practice Vol.18 No.2

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES Dietitians frequently use nutrition education tools to facilitate dietary counselling sessions. Nevertheless, these tools may require adaptation to keep pace with technological advancements. This study had a 2-fold purpose: first, to identify the types of nutrition education tools currently in use, identify their limitations, and explore dietitians’ perspectives on the importance of these tools; second, to investigate the features that dietitians prefer in digital nutrition education tools. SUBJECTS/METHODS A semi-structured face-to-face interview was conducted among 15 dietitians from selected public hospitals, primary care clinics, and teaching hospitals in Malaysia. Inductive thematic analysis of the responses was conducted using NVivo version 12 software. RESULTS Most dietitians used physical education tools including the healthy plate model, pamphlets, food models, and flip charts. These tools were perceived as important as they facilitate the nutrition assessment process, deliver nutrition intervention, and are time efficient. However, dietitians described the current educational tools as impersonal, outdated, limited in availability due to financial constraints, unhandy, and difficult to visualise. Alternatively, they strongly favoured digital education tools that provided instant feedback, utilised an automated system, included a local food database, were user-friendly, developed by experts in the field, and seamlessly integrated into the healthcare system. CONCLUSION Presently, although dietitians have a preference for digital educational tools, they heavily rely on physical nutrition education tools due to their availability despite the perception that these tools are outdated, impersonal, and inconvenient. Transitioning to digital dietary education tools could potentially address these issues. BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES Dietitians frequently use nutrition education tools to facilitate dietary counselling sessions. Nevertheless, these tools may require adaptation to keep pace with technological advancements. This study had a 2-fold purpose: first, to identify the types of nutrition education tools currently in use, identify their limitations, and explore dietitians’ perspectives on the importance of these tools; second, to investigate the features that dietitians prefer in digital nutrition education tools. SUBJECTS/METHODS A semi-structured face-to-face interview was conducted among 15 dietitians from selected public hospitals, primary care clinics, and teaching hospitals in Malaysia. Inductive thematic analysis of the responses was conducted using NVivo version 12 software. RESULTS Most dietitians used physical education tools including the healthy plate model, pamphlets, food models, and flip charts. These tools were perceived as important as they facilitate the nutrition assessment process, deliver nutrition intervention, and are time efficient. However, dietitians described the current educational tools as impersonal, outdated, limited in availability due to financial constraints, unhandy, and difficult to visualise. Alternatively, they strongly favoured digital education tools that provided instant feedback, utilised an automated system, included a local food database, were user-friendly, developed by experts in the field, and seamlessly integrated into the healthcare system. CONCLUSION Presently, although dietitians have a preference for digital educational tools, they heavily rely on physical nutrition education tools due to their availability despite the perception that these tools are outdated, impersonal, and inconvenient. Transitioning to digital dietary education tools could potentially address these issues.

Participation and Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening in Malaysia

Yusoff, Harmy Mohamed,Daud, Norwati,Noor, Norhayati Mohd,Rahim, Amry Abdul Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.8

In Malaysia, colorectal cancer is the most common cancer in males and the third most common in females. Mortality due to colorectal cancer can be effectively reduced with early diagnosis. This study was designed to look into colorectal cancer screening participation and its barriers among average risk individuals in Malaysia. A cross sectional study was conducted from August 2009 till April 2010 involving average risk individuals from 44 primary care clinics in West Malaysia. Each individual was asked whether they have performed any of the colorectal cancer screening methods in the past five years. The barrier questions had three domains: patient factors, test factors and health care provider factors. Descriptive analysis was achieved using Statistical Program for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 12.0. A total of 1,905 average risk individuals responded making a response rate of 93.8%. Only 13 (0.7%) respondents had undergone any of the colorectal cancer screening methods in the past five years. The main patient and test factors for not participating were embarrassment (35.2%) and feeling uncomfortable (30.0%), respectively. There were 11.2% of respondents who never received any advice to do screening. The main reason for them to undergo screening was being advised by health care providers (84.6%). The study showed that participation in colorectal cancer screening in Malaysia is extremely low and multiple factors contribute to this situation. Given the importance of the disease, efforts should be made to increase colorectal cancer screening activities in Malaysia.

A Case Report of Steroid Withdrawal Syndrome

Faziana Wahab,Razlina Abdul Rahman,Lili Husniati Yaacob,Norhayati Mohd Noor,Nani Draman 대한가정의학회 2020 Korean Journal of Family Medicine Vol.41 No.5

We report a case of steroid withdrawal syndrome in a 74-year-old woman who was suspected of having an occult exogenous Cushing’s syndrome secondary to prolonged traditional complementary medicine use. She presented with non-specific symptoms of lethargy, malaise, and poor oral intake with weight loss for 1 month, and investigations showed suboptimal 9 AM cortisol level. She has responded well to steroid replacement.

A randomized, double-blind study comparing multiple doses of Channa striatus supplementation for knee osteoarthritis

Abdul Kadir Azidah,Abdul Kadir Arifah,A. H. Roslida,Abdul Manan Mat Jais,Julia Omar,Abdul Nawfar Sadagatullah,Azlina Ishak,Norhayati Mohd. Noor,Ahmad Tarmizi Musa 경희대학교 융합한의과학연구소 2017 Oriental Pharmacy and Experimental Medicine Vol.17 No.4

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is the leading cause of chronic disability at older age. Channa striatus (CS) is a freshwater fish that is traditionally valued for its medicinal properties in promoting wound healing and reducing post-operative pain. This study evaluate the efficacy of different doses of oral Channa striatus extract on primary knee osteoarthritis patients. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled 3-arm trial was conducted comparing oral CS extract 1000 mg/day or 500 mg/day and placebo among knee OA patients for a 6-month intervention period. The main outcome measures were Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), analgesic scores and serum cartilage oligomeric matric protein (COMP). Laboratory-based blood tests were used as safety measures. A total of 120 patients were randomized, and 112 patients were included in the intention-to-treat analysis. Significant reductions in WOMAC stiffness and function scores were achieved at month 6 in CS 1000 mg/day and CS 500 mg/day compared to placebo groups (p < 0.05). No significant differences were found between the groups in terms of analgesic scores, serum COMP and biochemical parameters. No serious adverse events were reported in the study. In conclusion, both doses of CS showed similar efficacy and were more effective than the placebo in treating the symptoms of knee OA.