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Asian Population (asian + population)

Distribution by Scientific Domains
Medical Sciences69%
Life Sciences26%
Humanities and Social Sciences2%
2 Other Domains3%
Distribution within Medical Sciences
Oncology & Radiotherapy13%
Surgery & Surgical Specialties10%
Gastroenterology & Hepatology7%
Cardiovascular Disease5%
Allergy & Clinical Immunology4%
Dermatology2%
22 Other Subdomains44%

Kinds of Asian Population

  • east asian population
    		•
  • south-east asian population
    		•
  • southeast asian population
    		•

    Selected Abstracts

    TREATMENT FOR DUCTAL CARCINOMA IN SITU IN AN ASIAN POPULATION: OUTCOME AND PROGNOSTIC FACTORS

    ANZ JOURNAL OF SURGERY, Issue 1-2 2008
    Esther W. L. Chuwa
    Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among Singapore women and ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is believed to be the precursor of most invasive breast cancers. The incidence of DCIS has increased dramatically with mammographic screening, but its treatment remains controversial. Further, results of treatment for DCIS in Asians, and in particular Singapore women, are lacking. We review our institution's results treating a predominantly Chinese population with DCIS of the breast before the introduction of mammographic screening and aim to determine treatment outcomes and identify prognostic factors for disease recurrence. Methods: Between January 1994 and December 2000, 170 consecutive patients with DCIS were treated at our institution. One hundred and three (60.5%) were managed with breast conservation (17 with local wide excision alone and 86 with adjuvant irradiation following wide excision) whereas 67 (39.4%) underwent mastectomy. Of those who underwent wide local excision, 56 (54.3%) underwent re-excision for margin clearance. Overall, the axilla was surgically staged in 47 (27.6%) and no nodal involvement was found in all cases. Pathological specimens were reviewed by one of the authors. Median follow up was 86 months (range 4,151 months). Results: Sixty-two patients (36%) were asymptomatic at presentation whereas most (64%) presented with clinical symptoms; out of these more than half (54%) presented with a palpable lump. The median size of tumours was 13 mm (range 1.5,90 mm). Patients who underwent breast conservation surgery had oncologically more favourable lesions , with a significantly higher incidence of smaller and non-palpable lesions and lesions of lower nuclear grade. However, there was also a significantly higher incidence of local recurrence in this group. At the end of follow up, there were 12 patients (7.1%) who developed local recurrence and 8 patients (4.7%) developed contralateral disease. The crude incidence of all breast events (including both local failure and contralateral events) at 5 years was 5.6%. Median time to the development of any breast event (local recurrence or contralateral disease) was 60 months (range 12,120 months). The cumulative 5-year recurrence-free survival for patients who underwent breast conservation surgery was 94%. Factors influencing local recurrence rate were close or involved margins (,1 mm) and lack of adjuvant radiotherapy. There were no cancer-specific deaths during the period of follow up. Conclusion: Our results indicate that rates of cancer-specific survival were similar after mastectomy and breast conserving surgery. However, a close or involved margin (,1mm) and lack of adjuvant radiotherapy were associated with local recurrence, with margin status being the independent predictor for local recurrence. Our results reinforce that optimizing local therapy is crucial to improve local control rates in women treated with DCIS in our population. [source]

    Echocardiographic Left Ventricular Mass in a Multiethnic Southeast Asian Population: Proposed New Gender and Age-Specific Norms

    ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Issue 8 2008
    M.R.C.P., Raymond Ching-Chiew Wong M.B.B.S.
    Background: Left ventricular mass (LVM) is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular outcome. We aimed to define normal reference values of LVM/body surface area (BSA) in a multiethnic Southeast Asian population across ages, and define demographic parameters that predict LVM/BSA. Methods: 198 subjects (44% men, mean age 40 ± 14 years, 82% Chinese, 13% Malay and 5% Indian) with no cardiovascular comorbidity and had normal echo images for age were included in the analysis. Echo LVM was calculated as: 1.04 ×[(left ventricular internal diameter at end-diastole {LVIDd}+ interventricular septal thickness at end-diastole {IVSd}+ left ventricular posterior wall thickness at end-diastole {LVPWd})3, LVIDd3× 0.8]+ 0.61, indexed by BSA (LVM/BSA)* and expressed as g/m2. Results: BSA and blood pressure (BP) were comparable between dichotomous age groups < or , 50 years within the same gender. Women aged , 50 years had larger IVSD, LVPWd, LVM and LVM/BSA compared to younger cohort. (p < 0.01 for all variables). The 95th percentile of LVM in men and women were 189 g and 148 g respectively; corresponding values for LVM/BSA were 106 and 96 g/m2. These values are consistently smaller than published values from the West. Age (r = 0.27, P < 0.001), gender (r =,0.30, P < 0.001), and systolic BP (r = 0.25, P = 0.003) were significant univariate predictors of LVM/BSA. Conclusion: We therefore propose a different cutoff value for the diagnosis of LV hypertrophy among Southeast Asians. [source]

    Airway Assessment by Volumetric Computed Tomography in Snorers and Subjects With Obstructive Sleep Apnea in a Far-East Asian Population (Chinese)

    THE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 4 2002
    Ning-Hung Chen MD
    Abstract Objectives To evaluate the airway dimension of simple snorers and subjects with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in a Far-East Asian population (Chinese). Study Design Prospective study of 117 near-consecutive patients evaluated for snoring and possible OSA from January 1998 to December 1998 in a sleep laboratory. Overnight polysomnography (PSG) was performed on all patients and the sleep parameters, including respiratory disturbance index (RDI), snoring index, minimal oxygen saturation (min O2), percentage of slow wave sleep (SWS), and rapid eye movement (REM) were recorded. Three-dimensional computerized tomography (CT) during awake periods was performed. The anteroposterior (AP) and the lateral distance of the retropalatal (RP) region in the oropharynx, the smallest area of RP, and retroglossal (RG) regions, and the total volume of the oropharynx were measured. Result Ninety-eight patients were diagnosed with OSA (mean RDI, 41.48 ± 26.45 events per hour; min O2, 72.82 ± 12.86%), whereas 19 were simple snorers. The AP and the lateral distance of the RP region, as well as the smallest area of the RP region, are significantly smaller in subjects with OSA. However, no differences in the RG region and the total volume of the oropharynx were found between the two groups. Linear regression analysis demonstrated that the lateral dimension and the smallest RP area in overweight subjects inversely correlated with the RDI, but only the AP dimension of the RP area was found to have an inverse correlation with the RDI in the underweight subjects. Conclusion In Far-East Asians (Chinese), the RP airway was found to be the primary site of narrowing in subjects with OSA, and the narrowest RP area was inversely correlated with RDI. Furthermore, weight may influence the pattern of RP narrowing by contributing to lateral collapse. [source]

    FMR1 CGG Repeat Patterns and Flanking Haplotypes in Three Asian Populations and Their Relationship With Repeat Instability

    ANNALS OF HUMAN GENETICS, Issue 6 2006
    Youyou Zhou
    Summary Hyper-expansion of a CGG repeat in the 5, untranslated region of the FMR1 gene followed by methylation and silencing is the predominant cause of Fragile X syndrome, the most common inherited mental retardation disorder. Most detailed studies of the FMR1 gene have focused on Caucasian populations and patients. We performed a detailed haplotype and linkage disequilibrium analysis of the FMR1 gene in a total of 454 unselected normal X chromosomes from three Asian populations, Chinese, Malay and Indian. Compared to Caucasians and African Americans, the diversity of normal FMR1 CGG repeat lengths, patterns and flanking haplotypes were lower in Asians. Strong linkage disequilibrium was observed between the CGG repeat and flanking FMR1 markers in all three Asian populations, with strong association between specific CGG repeat alleles and flanking marker alleles observed only in the Chinese and Malays. A test for randomness of distribution between FRAXA CGG repeat patterns and flanking FMR1 marker haplotypes also revealed a highly significant non-random distribution between CGG repeat patterns and flanking haplotypes in all three ethnic groups (P < 0.001). Extending previous findings in Caucasians and African Americans we present a novel statistical approach, using data from unselected population samples alone, to show an association between absence of at least one AGG interruption in any position (5,, 3,, or middle) and increased CGG repeat instability. [source]

    Anxiety Disorder Presentations in Asian Populations: A Review

    CNS: NEUROSCIENCE AND THERAPEUTICS, Issue 3 2009
    Devon E. Hinton
    This article reviews typical anxiety presentations in Asia, and among Asian refugees. In Asia, there are multiple functional somatic syndromes that are common anxiety presentations. These distress syndromes often produce catastrophic cognitions about anxiety-type somatic and psychological symptoms. These functional somatic syndromes should be understood, and specifically assessed and addressed, in order to optimize the evaluation and treatment of anxiety disorders among Asian individuals. [source]

    Tretinoin Peels versus Glycolic Acid Peels in the Treatment of Melasma in Dark-Skinned Patients

    DERMATOLOGIC SURGERY, Issue 5 2004
    Niti Khunger MD
    Background. Chemical peels have become a popular method for treating melasma. Although daily topical 0.05 and 0.1% tretinoin have been used for melasma, the therapy takes at least 4 to 6 months to produce clinically significant lightening. In a recent trial, 1% tretinoin peel has shown good clinical and histologic results after biweekly applications in 2.5 weeks only in the treatment of melasma. Objective. Because there is a paucity of studies evaluating the efficacy and safety of 1% tretinoin peel in the treatment of melasma in dark-skinned Asian population, we conducted a pilot study to evaluate the efficacy and side effects of this potentially new peeling agent versus a standard peeling agent, 70% glycolic acid, in the treatment of melasma in Indian women. Methods. Ten female patients of melasma, after written consent, were taken up for an open left,right comparison pilot study of 12 weeks. One percent tretinoin peel was applied on one-half of the face, whereas 70% glycolic acid was applied on the other at weekly intervals. The results were evaluated by a clinical investigator by using the modified Melasma Area and Severity Index and with photographs at baseline and 6 and 12 weeks. Results. A significant decrease in the modified Melasma Area and Severity Index from baseline to 6 weeks and then from 6 to 12 weeks was observed on both facial sides (p<0.001). Nevertheless, there was no statistically significant difference between the right and the left sides. Side effects were minimal and 1% tretinoin peel appeared to be well tolerated by the patients. Conclusions. It was concluded from the present trial that serial 1% tretinoin peel is a well tolerated and as effective a therapy for melasma in dark-skinned individuals as a standard and well-tried chemical peel, 70% glycolic acid, although larger trials over longer periods may be necessary to substantiate such findings. [source]

    The prevalence of depressive symptoms in a white European and South Asian population with impaired glucose regulation and screen-detected Type 2 diabetes mellitus: a comparison of two screening tools

    DIABETIC MEDICINE, Issue 8 2010
    N. Aujla
    Diabet. Med. 27, 896,905 (2010) Abstract Aims, To compare the identification of prevalent depressive symptoms by the World Health Organization-5 Wellbeing Index (WHO-5) and Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) for South Asian and white European people, male and female, attending a diabetes screening programme, and to explore the adequacy of the screening tools for this population. An additional aim was to further explore associations of depressive symptoms with impaired glucose regulation (IGR) and Type 2 diabetes mellitus (Type2 DM). Methods, Eight hundred and sixty-four white European (40,75 years old) and 290 South Asian people (25,75 years old) underwent an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), detailed history and anthropometric measurements and completed the WHO-5 and CES-D. Depressive symptoms were defined by a WHO-5 score , 13, and CES-D score , 16. Results, Unadjusted prevalence of depressive symptoms with the WHO-5, for people with Type2 DM was 42.3% (47.4% in white European; 28.6% in South Asian) and for IGR 30.7% (26% in white European; 45.8% in South Asian). With the CES-D, the prevalence in Type2 DM was 27.2% (25.4% in white European; 31.8% in South Asian) and for IGR 30.7% (27.8% in white European; 40.7% in South Asian). Statistically significant differences in the prevalence of depressive symptoms for sex or ethnicity were not identified. Odds ratios adjusted for age, sex and ethnicity showed no significant association of depression with Type2 DM or IGR, with either WHO-5 or CES-D. Agreement was moderate (, = 0.48, 95% confidence intervals 0.42,0.54), and reduced when identifying depressive symptoms in people with Type2 DM. For this group, a WHO-5 cut-point of , 10 was optimal. Conclusions, Depressive symptoms, identified by WHO-5 or CES-D, were not significantly more prevalent in people with Type2 DM or IGR. The WHO-5 and CES-D differed in their identification of depressive symptoms in people with Type2 DM, though discrepancies between sex and ethnicity were not identified. [source]

    Echocardiographic Left Ventricular Mass in a Multiethnic Southeast Asian Population: Proposed New Gender and Age-Specific Norms

    ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Issue 8 2008
    M.R.C.P., Raymond Ching-Chiew Wong M.B.B.S.
    Background: Left ventricular mass (LVM) is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular outcome. We aimed to define normal reference values of LVM/body surface area (BSA) in a multiethnic Southeast Asian population across ages, and define demographic parameters that predict LVM/BSA. Methods: 198 subjects (44% men, mean age 40 ± 14 years, 82% Chinese, 13% Malay and 5% Indian) with no cardiovascular comorbidity and had normal echo images for age were included in the analysis. Echo LVM was calculated as: 1.04 ×[(left ventricular internal diameter at end-diastole {LVIDd}+ interventricular septal thickness at end-diastole {IVSd}+ left ventricular posterior wall thickness at end-diastole {LVPWd})3, LVIDd3× 0.8]+ 0.61, indexed by BSA (LVM/BSA)* and expressed as g/m2. Results: BSA and blood pressure (BP) were comparable between dichotomous age groups < or , 50 years within the same gender. Women aged , 50 years had larger IVSD, LVPWd, LVM and LVM/BSA compared to younger cohort. (p < 0.01 for all variables). The 95th percentile of LVM in men and women were 189 g and 148 g respectively; corresponding values for LVM/BSA were 106 and 96 g/m2. These values are consistently smaller than published values from the West. Age (r = 0.27, P < 0.001), gender (r =,0.30, P < 0.001), and systolic BP (r = 0.25, P = 0.003) were significant univariate predictors of LVM/BSA. Conclusion: We therefore propose a different cutoff value for the diagnosis of LV hypertrophy among Southeast Asians. [source]

    ,We didn't know it would get that bad': South Asian experiences of dementia and the service response

    HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE IN THE COMMUNITY, Issue 5 2003
    Alison Bowes BA PhD
    Abstract The aim of the present paper was to examine some views and experiences of dementia among older South Asian people, as well as their families and carers, and to explore central issues of service support. Data were collected in Scotland through interviews with 11 professionals working with South Asian people with dementia, and four case studies of South Asian people with a diagnosis of dementia, as well as their families and carers. The case studies demonstrated overwhelmingly negative experiences of dementia, with poor quality of life, desperate needs for support, lack of access to appropriate services, little knowledge of dementia, and isolation from community and family life. The interviews with professionals described a strong demand for services, a need to develop awareness and knowledge about dementia in South Asian communities, and a need to promote more culturally sensitive, individually responsive services. Similarities between South Asian people and the non-South Asian population include stress on carers, increasing isolation, problematic diagnostic practices, lack of knowledge and demand for service support. Differences include limited use of non-National Health Service (NHS) support, dealing with later stages of dementia at home, particularly negative views about residential care, culturally based attitudinal differences and use of the term ,dementia' in English as neutral rather than stigmatising. The present authors suggest that there is little knowledge and experience of dementia in South Asian communities, as well as restricted access to appropriate services, despite the efforts of voluntary sector and NHS special projects. There is demand for services, especially at home. Services need to develop individual responsiveness for effective working in a diverse society. [source]

    Catastrophic payments for health care in Asia

    HEALTH ECONOMICS, Issue 11 2007
    Eddy van Doorslaer
    Abstract Out-of-pocket (OOP) payments are the principal means of financing health care throughout much of Asia. We estimate the magnitude and distribution of OOP payments for health care in fourteen countries and territories accounting for 81% of the Asian population. We focus on payments that are catastrophic, in the sense of severely disrupting household living standards, and approximate such payments by those absorbing a large fraction of household resources. Bangladesh, China, India, Nepal and Vietnam rely most heavily on OOP financing and have the highest incidence of catastrophic payments. Sri Lanka, Thailand and Malaysia stand out as low to middle income countries that have constrained both the OOP share of health financing and the catastrophic impact of direct payments. In most low/middle-income countries, the better-off are more likely to spend a large fraction of total household resources on health care. This may reflect the inability of the poorest of the poor to divert resources from other basic needs and possibly the protection of the poor from user charges offered in some countries. But in China, Kyrgyz and Vietnam, where there are no exemptions of the poor from charges, they are as, or even more, likely to incur catastrophic payments. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

    Effectiveness and tolerability of paroxetine controlled release (CR) in the treatment of major depressive disorder: an open-label, prospective, multi-center trial in Korea

    HUMAN PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY: CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL, Issue 6 2007
    Chi-Un Pae
    Abstract Objectives This study evaluated the effectiveness and tolerability of paroxetine controlled release (CR) for the treatment of Korean patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) in a naturalistic treatment setting. Methods One hundred and ninety patients with MDD were enrolled in this study. The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-17 item (HAMD-17) and Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S) scores were measured at the baseline (day 0) and at weeks 1, 2, 4, and 8 (endpoint). The primary measure of effectiveness was a change in the mean HAMD-17 scores from the baseline to the endpoint. The secondary effectiveness measures included a decrease in the HAMD-17 scores of 50% or more at the endpoint compared with the baseline and a change in the mean CGI-S scores from the baseline to the endpoint. Remission was defined as a HAMD-17 score,,,7 at the endpoint. Results The HAMD-17 scores decreased by 56.5% (observed difference, OD,=,,13.3) (t,=,26.63, p,<,0.0001) from the baseline. The CGI-S scores also decreased by 50.0% (OD,=,,2.3) (t,=,24.47, p,<,0.0001). The response and remission rate at the endpoint was 64.2 and 48.4%, respectively. The adverse events were tolerable. No unexpected or serious side effects were observed. Conclusions Despite the methodological limitations, this study demonstrated that paroxetine CR is effective and tolerable for treating patients with MDD in an East Asian population. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

    Crohn's Disease runs a more aggressive course in young asian patients

    INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASES, Issue 1 2006
    Kelvin Teck Joo Thia MRCP
    Abstract Background: Crohn's disease is a heterogeneous inflammatory bowel disease. The impact of age at diagnosis on the clinical course of patients varies widely as reported in the Western literature. Using the Vienna Classification, we seek to determine whether young Crohn's disease patients in an Asian population followed a different clinical course than old patients. Methods: The case records of 100 Crohn's disease patients who were treated at the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center, Singapore General Hospital, were studied retrospectively. The age group and location of disease and behavior according to the Vienna classification were determined at diagnosis. Results: A1 group (age <40 years) defined as "young" and A2 group (age ,40) defined as "old" contained 65 and 35 patients, respectively. Median age for the young group was 27.4 years and that for the old group was 52.6 years. Of the young patients, 66.7% flared at least once compared with 28.6% of the old patients, odds ratio of 5.0 (P < 0.001). Young patients were more likely to be steroid dependent (20.0% of A1 versus 8.6% of A2, P = 0.14), received azathioprine (38.5% of A1 versus 5.7% of A2, P < 0.001) and experienced complications (31% of A1 versus 20% of A2, P = 0.25)-numerically higher rates that did not reach statistical significance. There was no significant difference between the age groups for the location and behavior of disease as well as requirement for surgery. Conclusion: In this first Asian study looking specifically at the impact of age at diagnosis of Crohn's disease, we found that young patients underwent a more aggressive clinical course. [source]

    The prevalence of vitamin D abnormalities in South Asians with type 2 diabetes mellitus in the UK

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PRACTICE, Issue 3 2010
    A. A. Tahrani
    Summary Background:, The high prevalence of both hypovitaminosis D and type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in the Asian community is well recognised, but the impact of diabetes on vitamin D status and vice versa, has not been well reported. Aims:, To determine the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in Asian patients with T2DM and its impact on glycaemic control. Methods:, A cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary referral centre in the UK. Two hundred and ten Asian patients aged more than 40 years were included (170 with and 40 without T2DM). Each had a standard bone profile (serum calcium, phosphate and alkaline phosphatase), serum parathyroid hormone and 25-hydroxycholecalciferol. Results:, The prevalence of low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (< 50 nmol/l) was high in the group as a whole (> 80%) and more common in diabetics compared with controls (83% vs. 70%; p = 0.07). This was particularly so in men (82.5% vs. 57.9%; p = 0.02). HbA1c was higher in women with vitamin D deficiency (< 12.5 nmol/l) (8.11 ± 1.11% vs. 7.33 ± 1.32%, p = 0.046). In logistic regression analysis, T2DM was an independent predictor of hypovitaminosis D. In linear regression analysis, vitamin D deficiency was independently related to HbA1c in women with T2DM. Conclusions:, Hypovitaminosis D remains a major public health issue in the Asian population and is exaggerated in patients with T2DM. The fact that vitamin D deficient women had higher HbA1c levels raises the possibility that vitamin D replacement may improve glycaemic control. [source]

    Large-Scale Genome-Wide Linkage Analysis for Loci Linked to BMD at Different Skeletal Sites in Extreme Selected Sibships,

    JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 2 2007
    Yi-Hsiang Hsu
    Abstract Few genome-wide linkage studies of osteoporosis have been conducted in the Asian population. We performed a genome-wide scan involving 3093 adult siblings with at least one sib-pair extremely concordant or discordant for hip BMD. Our results indicated four genome-wide significant QTLs for BMD. In comparison with 12 previous reported linkage studies, we reveal novel linkage regions that have reaching global significance. Introduction: The genetic basis for osteoporosis has been firmly established, but efforts to identify genes associated with this complex trait have been incomplete, especially in Asian populations. The purpose of this study was to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for BMD in a Chinese population. Materials and Methods: We performed a genome-wide scan involving 3093 siblings 25,64 years of age from 941 families, with at least one sib-pair extreme concordant or discordant for total hip BMD from a large community-based cohort (n = 23,327) in Anhui, China. Linkage analysis was performed on BMD residuals adjusted for age, height, weight, occupation, cigarette smoking, physical activity, and alcohol consumption using the revised Haseman-Elston regression-based linkage model. Results: Our results revealed significant QTLs on chromosome 7p21.2 for femoral neck BMD (LOD = 3.68) and on chromosome 2q24.3 for total hip BMD (LOD = 3.65). Suggestive linkage regions were found to overlap among different skeletal sites on chromosomes 2q, 7p, and 16q. Sex-specific linkage analysis further revealed a significant QTL for lumbar spine BMD on chromosome 13q21.1 (LOD = 3.62) in women only. When performing multivariate linkage analysis by combining BMDs at four skeletal sites (i.e., whole body, total hip, femoral neck, and lumbar spine BMD), an additional significant QTL was found at chromosome 5q21.2 (LOD = 4.56). None of these significant QTLs found in our study overlapped with major QTLs reported by other studies. Conclusions: This study reveals four novel QTLs in a Chinese population and suggests that BMD at different skeletal sites may also share common genetic determinants. [source]

    Inflammatory bowel disease in the Asia,Pacific area: A comparison with developed countries and regional differences

    JOURNAL OF DIGESTIVE DISEASES, Issue 3 2010
    Vineet AHUJA
    The Asia,Pacific region has been marked as an area with a low incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), although confusion always existed as to whether this low incidence was a result of low diagnostic awareness, a high incidence of infective diarrhoea and its diagnostic overlap or a true low incidence. As epidemiological studies from this region are being made available it is clear that the incidence and prevalence rates of IBD in Asia,Pacific region are low compared with Europe and North America. They are however, increasing rapidly. There are substantial variations in the incidence and prevalence rates of IBD in various ethnic groups in Asia. The highest incidence rates are recorded from India, Japan and the Middle East and there exists a genetic predisposition of South Asians (Indians, Pakistanis and Bangladeshis) to ulcerative colitis (UC). It appears that certain racial groups are more prone than others to develop IBD. For instance, Indians in South-East Asia have higher rates than Chinese and Malays. While there is a host genetic predisposition, environmental factor(s) may be responsible for this difference. The clinical phenotypes and complication rates of Asian IBD resemble those of the Caucasian population in general, but some heterogeneity is observed in different regions of Asia. There is no evidence of a north-south or an east-west divide in the Asia,Pacific region. The available studies suggest an increasing incidence of UC in the Asia,Pacific region and hence it is an appropriate time to launch well-designed epidemiological studies so that etiopathogenetic factors can be identified. There is a male predominance in Crohn's disease in the Asian population. The NOD2/CARD15 gene is not associated with CD in the Japanese, Korean, Chinese and Indian population. [source]

    Demography and clinical course of ulcerative colitis in a multiracial Asian population: A nationwide study from Malaysia

    JOURNAL OF DIGESTIVE DISEASES, Issue 1 2009
    I HILMI
    OBJECTIVE: To establish the clinical course of ulcerative colitis (UC) in the Malaysian population, comparing the three major ethnic groups: Malay, Chinese and Indian. METHODS: Patients who were diagnosed with UC from seven major medical referral centers in Malaysia were recruited. Their baseline characteristics, and the extent of the disease, its clinical course and complications were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 118 patients was included. The extent of disease was as follows: proctitis alone in 22 (18.6%), sigmoid colon in 23 (19.5%), descending colon in 16 (13.6%), transverse colon in 11 (9.3%), ascending colon and pancolitis 46 (39%). Most patients had chronic intermittent disease. Extra-intestinal complications were seen in 27 (22.9%) patients and fulminant colitis was seen in four (3.4%). None developed colorectal cancer. The overall cumulative colectomy rates at 1, 5 and 10 years were 3.4% (CI: 0.9,8.5), 5.9% (CI: 1.9,13.2) and 15.6% (CI: 6.5,29.4), respectively. There was a higher prevalence of extra-intestinal manifestations and a trend towards more extensive disease among Indian patients. However, no significant differences were seen in the age of onset, the severity of disease (fulminant colitis, refractory disease) and the colectomy rate. CONCLUSION: As in developed countries, most of our patients have a remitting and relapsing pattern of disease but the clinical course appears to be milder, with lower rates of colectomies. There are differences in clinical presentation among the three major ethnic groups, with Indians having a higher prevalence of extra-intestinal manifestations and a trend towards more extensive disease. [source]

    Changing epidemiology of Helicobacter pylori in Asia

    JOURNAL OF DIGESTIVE DISEASES, Issue 4 2008
    Huck J TAN
    As in developed societies, the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori has declined rapidly in Asia. This has been shown in both seroprevalence-based and endoscopy-based studies. While the decline in the incidence of gastric cancer has now been observed, a decrease in peptic ulcer disease has not been so clearly evident. This apparent paradox can be explained by an increase in non- H. pylori associated ulcers , such as those related to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or idiopathic ulcers. The increase of gastroesophageal reflux disease in Asia has been widely observed and commented on and its relationship to the decline in H. pylori speculated upon. However there have been few conclusive studies from Asia on this subject. While the improved diagnosis and elimination of H. pylori has contributed to its decline, a more basic change involving large segments of the Asian population must be responsible. An improvement in hygiene and living conditions that results from more affluent Asian societies is thought to be a possible cause. [source]

    Non-cardiac chest pain: Prevalence of reflux disease and response to acid suppression in an Asian population

    JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY, Issue 2 2009
    Hanizam Mohd
    Abstract Background:, Gastroesophageal reflux disease is thought to be the commonest cause of ,non-cardiac chest pain'. The use of proton-pump inhibitors resulting in improvement in the chest pain symptom would support this causal association. Objectives:, To determine the prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease in non-cardiac chest pain and the response of chest pain to proton-pump inhibitor therapy. Methods:, Patients with recurrent angina-like chest pain and normal coronary angiogram were recruited. The frequency and severity of chest pain were recorded. All patients underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy and 48-h Bravo ambulatory pH monitoring before receiving rabeprazole 20 mg bd for 2 weeks. Results:, The prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease was 66.7% (18/27). The improvement in chest pain score was significantly higher in reflux compared to non-reflux patients (P = 0.006). The proportion of patients with complete or marked/moderate improvement in chest pain symptoms were significantly higher in patients with reflux (15/18, 83.3%) compared to those without (1/9, 11.1%) (P < 0.001). Conclusion:, The prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease in patients with ,non-cardiac chest pain' was high. The response to treatment with proton-pump inhibitors in patients with reflux disease, but not in those without, underlined the critical role of acid reflux in a subset of patients with ,non-cardiac chest pain'. [source]

    Ethnic variation, epidemiological factors and quality of life impairment associated with dyspepsia in urban Malaysia

    ALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 10 2010
    S. MAHADEVA
    Aliment Pharmacol Ther,31, 1141,1151 Summary Background, The role of ethnicity in the development of dyspepsia remains uncertain. Aims, To examine the epidemiology of dyspepsia in a multi-ethnic Asian population and its impact on health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Methods, A cross-sectional survey was conducted in a representative urban population in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Results, A total of 2039 adults (mean ± s.d. age: 40.5 ± 11.8 years, males 44.2%, ethnicity: Malays 45.3%, Chinese 38.0% and Indians 13.1%, tertiary education level 62%, professional employment 47.7% and median monthly income USD 850.00) were interviewed. Dyspepsia was prevalent in 496 (24.3%) adults. Independent predictors for dyspepsia, explored by logistic regression, were identified as: Malay (OR 2.17, 95% CI = 1.57,2.99) and Indian (OR 1.59, 95% CI = 1.03,2.45) ethnicity, heavy chilli intake (OR 2.35, 95% CI = 1.15,4.80), use of regular analgesia (OR 3.51, 95% CI = 2.54,4.87) and chronic illness (OR 1.67, 95% CI = 1.22,2.28). HRQOL was assessed with the EQ-5D and significantly lower scores were noted in dyspeptics compared with healthy controls (0.85 ± 0.17 vs. 0.95 ± 0.12, P < 0.0001). Conclusion, Ethnicity, in addition to recognized epidemiological factors, is a risk factor for dyspepsia in an urban multi-racial Asian population. [source]

    Alternate wetting and moderate soil drying increases grain yield and reduces cadmium accumulation in rice grains

    JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 10 2009
    Jianchang Yang
    Abstract BACKGROUND: Rice is the most important staple food in Asia but has also been identified as one of the major sources of cadmium (Cd) intakes for some Asian population. This study investigated whether grain yield could be maintained but Cd in grains be reduced through proper irrigation management when rice was grown in Cd-contaminated soil. RESULTS: Compared to the well watered treatment, the alternate wetting and moderate soil drying (MD, re-watered when soil water potential decreased to ,20 kPa) increased grain yield by 10,12% and improved milling and appearance quality of rice when grown in a soil containing a water-soluble Cd content of 18 g kg,1. An alternate wetting and severe soil drying (SD, re-watered when soil water potential decreased to ,40 kPa) showed an opposite effect. Both MD and SD significantly increased Cd content in roots while they reduced it in the straw. MD reduced Cd content by 19,21% in the grain and by 40% in milled rice. The SD significantly increased Cd content in the grain but reduced it in milled rice. CONCLUSION: An alternate wetting and moderate soil drying could increase rice yield and quality and also reduce Cd in the diet of rice. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry [source]

    Time trends in peptic ulcer, erosive reflux oesophagitis, gastric and oesophageal cancers in a multiracial Asian population

    ALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 7 2009
    K.-L. GOH
    Summary Background, Dramatic changes in the prevalence and pattern of gastrointestinal disease has taken place in Asia in recent years. Aim, To compare the prevalence of duodenal (DU) and gastric ulcers (GU), erosive oesophagitis (EO), gastric cancer (GCA) and oesophageal cancer (OCA) and Helicobacter pylori infection over a 10-year interval of time in a multiracial South-East Asian population. Methods, Endoscopy records of first time gastroscopy in the University of Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia were reviewed for 1989/1990 and 1999/2000. Results, In the period of 1989,1990, 3252 records and in 1999,2000, 4615 records were analysed. Both DU (21.1,9.5%) and GU (11.9,9.4%) had decreased significantly (P < 0.001). EO had increased significantly from 2.0% to 8.4% (P < 0.001). Both GCA and OCA had declined in the 10-year interval. Helicobacter pylori prevalence had decreased from 51.7% to 30.3% (P < 0.001). The decrease in DU and GU was seen in all racial groups. The increase in EO was most marked in Indians and the decrease in GCA in Chinese. The proportion of H. pylori- associated DU and GU had also decreased with time. Conclusions, Peptic ulcers and H. pylori infection had declined over a 10-year period of time and showed an opposing time trend with EO, which had increased dramatically. Both GCA and OCA had declined in prevalence. [source]

    HLA DRB1*15-DPB1*05 haplotype: a susceptible gene marker for isocyanate-induced occupational asthma?

    ALLERGY, Issue 7 2006
    S.-H. Kim
    Background:, There has been no study for evaluating the associations of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I and II alleles with toluene diisocyanate (TDI)-induced asthma in an Asian population. Objective:, The aim of this study was to investigate a susceptible or protective marker of HLA class I and II alleles in TDI-induced asthma. Methods:, Fifty-five patients with TDI-induced asthma patients (group I) showing positive responses on TDI bronchoprovocation test, 47 asymptomatic exposed subjects (group II) and 95 unexposed healthy nonatopic controls (group III) were enrolled in our study. HLA class I and II genotyping was done by the direct DNA sequencing method. Results:, The allelic frequency of C*09 (15.5%) was significantly higher in group I than in group III (6.8%, P = 0.019), but this statistical significance disappeared after correction was made for multiple comparisons. On two-locus and three-locus haplotype analysis, the allelic frequency of HLA DRB1*15-DPB1*05 in group I (10.6%) was significantly higher than that of group II (0%, P = 0.001) and group III (2.5%, P = 0.003). The allelic frequencies of HLA A*02-DRB1*15, A*02-DQB1*06, B*62-C*09 and A*02-DRB1*15-DQB1*06 were significantly higher in group I (8.5%, 10.3%, 8.2% and 6.8%, respectively) than those allelic frequencies of group III (1.3%, P = 0.002; 1.6%, P = 0.001; 0.6%, P < 0.0001; 0%, P < 0.0001, respectively). The allelic frequencies of HLA DQB1*06-DPB1*05 and DRB1*15-DQB1*06-DPB1*05 were significantly higher in group I (16.0% and 10.5%) than those in group II (2.5%, P = 0.001; 0%, P = 0.001), while the frequencies of DRB1*09-DPB1*05 and DRB1*09-DQB1*0303-DPB1*05 were significantly lower in group I (0% and 0%) than those of group II (7.4%, P = 0.004; 7.5%, P = 0.004). These differences remained statistically significant even after the correction for multiple comparisons. Conclusions:, The HLA haplotype DRB1*15-DPB1*05 can be a susceptibility gene marker for the development of TDI-induced asthma among the exposed workers in the Korean population. [source]

    Prevalence and risk factors of undetected proteinuria in an elderly South-East Asian population

    NEPHROLOGY, Issue 4 2006
    VEENA D JOSHI
    SUMMARY: Background: Urinalysis is not a standard component of health screening in the elderly population. Objective: We investigated the prevalence and risk factors of undetected renal disease as defined by proteinuria (PR) in an elderly South-East Asian population. Method: There were 19 848 participants of age ,65 years in National Kidney Foundation's Nationwide Screening programme at Singapore. Mean age was 70.6 ± 5.3 years. After excluding the 1.1% who had pre-existing renal disease, 8.5% were identified to have previously undetected PR defined as ,1+ protein on urine dipstick analysis. Multivariate regression revealed that male gender (OR = 1.2, reference category (Ref): female), known diabetes (odds ratio (OR) = 2.28; P < 0.0001), hypertension (OR = 1.62; P = 0.0001), presence of elevated blood pressure (BP) (,120/90 mmHg) on screening (OR = 1.38, 1.89, 3.45 for mild, moderate and severe BP, respectively, all P < 0.0001), elevated body mass index (BMI) (OR = 1.3 for BMI ,23 vs BMI < 23 kg/m2), and smoking (OR = 1.2, ref: non-smokers) were significantly associated with PR. Finally, a progressive increase in OR for PR was observed with stepwise increase in age (years) (OR for 67,68.9: 1.2, P = 0.025; 69,72.9, 1.49, P = 0.49; ,73: 1.56, P < 0.0001, Ref: 65,66.9 years). Conclusion: We conclude that there is high prevalence of previously undetected proteinuria in elderly South-East Asians. Because proteinuria is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, our findings support inclusion of urinalysis in routine health screening for this population. [source]

    Comparative analysis of NK/T-cell lymphoma and peripheral T-cell lymphoma in Korea: Clinicopathological correlations and analysis of EBV strain type and 30-bp deletion variant LMP1

    PATHOLOGY INTERNATIONAL, Issue 11 2003
    Ji Eun Kim
    Natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (NKTL) and peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCL) are prevalent in the Asian population and exhibit a high association with the Epstein,Barr virus (EBV). Moreover, differentiation of these two groups is often difficult and problematic. We investigated 35 cases of NKTL (22 nasal cases and 13 extranasal cases) and 30 cases of PTCL in terms of their clinical features, immunohistology, EBV positivity, EBV strain-type polymorphism and latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) deletion variant distribution. Eighteen cases (82%) of nasal NKTL and seven (54%) of extranasal NKTL showed EBV positivity by EBV in situ hybridization. Fifteen cases (50%) of PTCL revealed EBV positivity. EBV strain type A was predominant in NKTL (18:5), and EBV strain types A and B were distributed evenly in PTCL (6:6). EBV-positive patients had significantly shorter survival than EBV-negative patients (P < 0.05), and EBV positivity correlated with advanced clinical stage (P < 0.05). Patients harboring type A EBV showed slightly poorer prognoses than those having type B, though it was not obviously statistically different (P = 0.07). The LMP1 deletion variant was prevalent in both NKTL (three wild-type LMP1, 15 deletion variants) and PTCL (three wild-type LMP1, eight deletion variants, two coexistent forms) patients, but did not have prognostic impact. Our results indicate that EBV acts as a negative prognostic factor in NKTL and PTCL, and that the intrinsic properties of a specific viral strain might influence the clinical behavior of these diseases. [source]

    Fournier's gangrene and scrotal ulcerations during all-trans-retinoic acid therapy for acute promyelocytic leukemia

    PEDIATRIC BLOOD & CANCER, Issue 2 2008
    Rahul Naithani MD
    Abstract Scrotal ulcers are a rare manifestation in patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia. Fournier's gangrene (FG) is even rarer. We describe three adolescents and young adults who developed scrotal ulcerations during induction with all-trans-retinoic acid. One patient developed FG. These lesions are predominantly seen in Asian population. A good outcome with supportive management occurred in all the cases. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2008;51:303,304. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

    QF-PCR-based prenatal detection of aneuploidy in a southeast Asian population

    PRENATAL DIAGNOSIS, Issue 6 2004
    R. Quaife
    Abstract Objectives We have investigated the efficacy of using quantitative fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (QF-PCR) for the prenatal recognition of aneuploidy in chromosomes 13, 18, 21, X and Y. A total of 1115 samples, from mainly southeast Asian patients, were analysed and compared in a blind trial to the results previously obtained cytogenetically. Methods A multiplex PCR involving 15 short tandem repeat (STR) sequences was used. The probability of two or more of these markers being informative was calculated, and this required the multiplex PCR to be modified. Results The QF-PCR and previous cytogenetic results concurred, except for two products of conception (POC). One of these may be a case of complete uniparental disomy that was not recognized cytogenetically. The other was tetraploid, and as such appeared normal using QF-PCR. A mosaic trisomy 18 was correctly identified. The population sample was of a mainly Chinese, ethnic origin, and the allele frequency, size and heterozygosity appeared more restricted than the population groups analysed hitherto. Conclusion The QF-PCR methodology is an efficient cost-effective method of screening for major chromosome aneuploidy, and, for certain referral categories, could be used alone. It also appears to be applicable to patients of different ethnic origins. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

    The effect of ethnic origin on nuchal translucency at 10,14,weeks of gestation

    PRENATAL DIAGNOSIS, Issue 7 2002
    Min Chen
    Abstract Introduction Fetal nuchal translucency (NT) increases with gestation and is affected by fetal posture and fetal gender. A recent report suggested that there might also be ethnic differences. We investigated the effect of ethnic origin on NT in an Asian population. Methods NT was measured at 10,14,weeks. The measurements were converted into multiples of the median (MoM) for gestational day. The risk of Down syndrome was calculated by combining NT and maternal age. Cases affected by chromosomal and major structural abnormalities were excluded. NT measurements of different ethnic groups were compared. Results Between January 1997 and October 2001, 16,981 pregnancies with known ethnic origin and normal fetal outcome were analysed. Median NT MoM (95% CI) of the Filipinos was 1.07 (1.04,1.11). This was significantly higher than that of the Chinese, 1.01 (1.01,1.02); other Asians (Indians, Pakistanis and Nepalese), 0.96 (0.94,0.99), and Caucasians, 0.98 (0.93,1.06) (p<0.05, respectively; Mann,Whitney U-test). An NT risk cut-off of 1:180 would classify 5% of the Chinese, 4.6% of the Caucasians, 5.6% of the Filipinos and 4.2% of the other Asians as screen-positive. There were no statistically significant differences between these screen-positive rates (p>0.05, Chi-square test). Conclusion Although there were statistically significant differences in NT measurements between different ethnic groups, it was clinically insignificant, as reflected by similar screen-positive rates. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

    Brief communication: Patterns of linkage disequilibrium and haplotype diversity at Xq13 in six Native American populations

    AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY, Issue 3 2010
    Sijia Wang
    Abstract Comparative studies of linkage disequilibrium (LD) can provide insights into human demographic history. Here, we characterize LD in six Native American populations using seven microsatellite markers in Xq13, a region of the genome extensively studied in populations around the world. Native Americans show relatively low diversity and high LD, in agreement with recent genome-wide survey and a scenario of sequential founder effects accompanying human population dispersal around the globe. LD in Native Americans is similar to that observed in some recently described small population isolates and higher than in large European isolates (e.g., Finns), which have been extensively analyzed in medical genetics studies. Haplotype analyses are consistent with a colonization of the New World by a differentiated East Asian population, followed by extensive genetic drift in the Americas. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2010. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

    Efficacy and Safety of On-Demand Oral Tadalafil in the Treatment of Men with Erectile Dysfunction in Taiwan: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Parallel, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Study

    THE JOURNAL OF SEXUAL MEDICINE, Issue 2 2004
    Kuang-Kuo Chen MD
    Conflict of Interest. Timothy M. Costigan and Jeffrey T. Emmick are employees of Eli Lilly, Indianapolis. ABSTRACT Introduction., Tadalafil is a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED). Past clinical trials have assessed its efficacy and safety in western populations. Tadalafil has not been investigated in a large clinical trial with a South-east Asian population. Aim., To assess the efficacy and safety of on-demand tadalafil for the treatment of ED in a 12-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in Taiwan. Methods., Men with mild to severe ED of various etiologies were randomized to receive placebo, tadalafil 10 mg, or tadalafil 20 mg, taken as needed (maximum once daily). Efficacy assessments included the International Index of Erectile Function, the Sexual Encounter Profile (SEP) diary, and a Global Assessment Question (GAQ). Results., Tadalafil significantly improved erectile function compared with placebo (P < 0.005, all measures). At endpoint, the patients receiving tadalafil reported a greater mean per-patient percentage of successful intercourse attempts (SEP question 3: 70.0%, 10 mg; 78.0%, 20 mg) than placebo-treated patients (42.8%) and a greater proportion of improved erections (GAQ: 92.3% and 84.6% vs. 54.5%). Most treatment-emergent adverse events were mild or moderate. The most common adverse events were back pain, dyspepsia, and myalgia. Conclusions., Tadalafil was an effective, well-tolerated therapy for men in Taiwan with ED of broad-spectrum severity and etiology. [source]

    Airway Assessment by Volumetric Computed Tomography in Snorers and Subjects With Obstructive Sleep Apnea in a Far-East Asian Population (Chinese)

    THE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 4 2002
    Ning-Hung Chen MD
    Abstract Objectives To evaluate the airway dimension of simple snorers and subjects with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in a Far-East Asian population (Chinese). Study Design Prospective study of 117 near-consecutive patients evaluated for snoring and possible OSA from January 1998 to December 1998 in a sleep laboratory. Overnight polysomnography (PSG) was performed on all patients and the sleep parameters, including respiratory disturbance index (RDI), snoring index, minimal oxygen saturation (min O2), percentage of slow wave sleep (SWS), and rapid eye movement (REM) were recorded. Three-dimensional computerized tomography (CT) during awake periods was performed. The anteroposterior (AP) and the lateral distance of the retropalatal (RP) region in the oropharynx, the smallest area of RP, and retroglossal (RG) regions, and the total volume of the oropharynx were measured. Result Ninety-eight patients were diagnosed with OSA (mean RDI, 41.48 ± 26.45 events per hour; min O2, 72.82 ± 12.86%), whereas 19 were simple snorers. The AP and the lateral distance of the RP region, as well as the smallest area of the RP region, are significantly smaller in subjects with OSA. However, no differences in the RG region and the total volume of the oropharynx were found between the two groups. Linear regression analysis demonstrated that the lateral dimension and the smallest RP area in overweight subjects inversely correlated with the RDI, but only the AP dimension of the RP area was found to have an inverse correlation with the RDI in the underweight subjects. Conclusion In Far-East Asians (Chinese), the RP airway was found to be the primary site of narrowing in subjects with OSA, and the narrowest RP area was inversely correlated with RDI. Furthermore, weight may influence the pattern of RP narrowing by contributing to lateral collapse. [source]