ObjectivesThis study aims to investigate the prevalence of undiagnosed cardiovascular risk factors in patients with ischaemic heart disease (IHD).MethodsWe assessed the prevalence of previously undiagnosed cardiovascular risk factors, including elevated lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], among consenting patients with IHD who were admitted to hospital. Clinical information, including dietary history, from patients with newly diagnosed IHD and known IHD were compared.ResultsOf the 555 patients, 82.3% were males and 48.5% of Chinese ethnicity. Overall, 13.3% were newly diagnosed with hypertension, 14.8% with hypercholesterolemia, and 5% with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Patients with newly diagnosed IHD, compared to those with known IHD, had a higher prevalence of new diagnoses of hypercholesterolemia (29.1% vs. 2.0%, p < 0.001), hypertension (24.5% vs. 3.4%, p < 0.001) and T2DM (7.3% vs. 3.1%, p = 0.023). Active smoking was prevalent in 28.3% of patients, and higher in newly diagnosed IHD (34.1% vs. 23.2%, p = 0.005). Elevated Lp(a) of ≥120 nmol/L was detected in 15.6% of all patients, none of whom were previously diagnosed. Dietary habits of >50% of patients in both groups did not meet national recommendations for fruits, vegetables, wholegrain and oily fish intake. However, patients with known IHD had a more regular omega-3 supplement intake (23.4% vs. 10.3%, p = 0.024).ConclusionIncreased detection efforts is necessary to diagnose chronic metabolic diseases (hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, T2DM) especially among patients at high risk for IHD. Cardiovascular risk factors, in particular elevated Lp(a), smoking, and suboptimal dietary intake in patients with IHD deserve further attention.

Background: The ThyPRO-39 questionnaire assesses health-related QoL (HRQoL) in patients with benign thyroid disease and has been validated for use in the local setting. The aim of the study is to investigate disease specific health-related quality of life using ThyPRO-39 in patients with newly diagnosed Graves’ disease treated with antithyroid medications over one year. Methods: Patients with newly diagnosed Graves’ disease were recruited in the outpatient setting. The ThyPRO-39 questionnaire was administered at baseline, 6 and 12 months of antithyroid medication treatment. Relevant demographic and clinical information was collected at the three time points of the study. Results of clinical parameters and various ThyPRO scales were compared between baseline, 6 months and 12 months of treatment. Results: There were 32 patients with newly diagnosed Graves’ disease recruited between April 2018 and May 2019. All except 2 patients completed all 3 time points of the study. Two patients missed their 6 months questionnaire. There were 24 females (75%) and 8 males (25%) in the study. Analysis of the clinical parameters showed significant changes in weight from baseline (59.7 + 17.7kg) to 6 months (59.4 + 9.9kg) to 12 months (63.4 + 17.4Kg), all p<0.001, TSH receptor antibody level from baseline (17.3 + 12.9IU/L) to 12 months (7.1 + 10.8IU/L), NR <1.76IU/L, p<0.001, fT4 levels from baseline (49.9 + 18.1pmol/L) to 6 months (14.3 + 6.9pmol/L) and from baseline to 12 months (11.8 + 2.3pmol/L), NR 8.8-14.4pmol/L, all p<0.001 and TSH levels from baseline (0.011 + 0.009mU/L) to 6 months (1.38 + 1.74mU/L, p=0.001) and from baseline to 12 months (1.80 + 1.72mU/L, p<0.001), NR 0.65-3.70mU/L. After 6 months of treatment, 7 out of 13 ThyPRO scales improved and 9 out of 13 ThyPRO scales improved after 12 months of treatment. Large treatment effects were observed on 2 ThyPRO scales (Hyperthyroid symptoms and Anxiety) while moderate effects were seen in 5 ThyPRO scales (Tiredness, Cognitive complaints, Depressivity, Impaired daily Life and overall QoL) from baseline to 6 months. Large treatment effects were observed on 2 ThyPRO scales (Hyperthyroid symptoms and Anxiety) while moderate effects were seen in 5 ThyPRO scales (Tiredness, Depressivity, Emotional susceptibility, Impaired daily Life and overall QoL) from baseline to 12 months. Small treatment effects were observed in 2 ThyPRO scales (Goiter symptoms and Tiredness) from 6 to 12 months. Conclusion: There are significant improvements in many aspects HRQL during the first 6 months of antithyroid drug treatment, with hyperthyroid symptoms and anxiety showing the most improvements throughout the 12 month treatment period. Our results complement clinical monitoring of patients with Graves’ disease and provide realistic outcome measures of disease impact and treatment outcomes from the patient’s perspective.

Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is a common endocrine condition, increasingly presenting asymptomatically and detected on routine laboratory examination in developed countries. Multiple spontaneous tendon ruptures as the initial presentation of PHPT is extremely rare. We present the case of a 28-year-old male diagnosed with severe hypercalcemia secondary to PHPT after presenting with complications of multiple spontaneous tendon ruptures,and discuss the management issues in PHPT for this patient.

Acute adrenal crisis classically presents with vomiting, altered sensorium, and hypotension. We describe a unique case manifesting with severe hypercalcemia. Addisonian crisis was unusually precipitated by fluconazole use. We reviewed other reported cases and discuss the possible mechanisms of hypercalcemia in adrenal insufficiency. This 67-year-old man presented with fever, cough, and vomiting for 1 week and with anorexia and confusion for 3 weeks. He was hypotensive and clinically dehydrated. Investigations revealed left-sided lung consolidation, acute renal failure, and severe non–parathyroid hormone (PTH)–mediated hypercalcemia (calcium, 3.55mol/L; PTH, 0.81pmol/L). Initial impression was pneumonia complicated by septic shock and hypercalcemia secondary to possible malignancy. He received mechanical ventilation; treatment with intravenous fluids, inotropes, and hydrocortisone for septic shock; and continuous renal replacement therapy with low-calcium dialysate. Although hypercalcemia resolved and he was weaned off inotropes, dialysis, and hydrocortisone, his confusion persisted. When hypercalcemia recurred on day 19 of admission, early morning cortisol was <8 nmol/L, with low ACTH level (3.2 ng/L). Other pituitary hormones were normal. Hypercalcemia resolved 3 days after reinstating stress doses of hydrocortisone, and his mentation normalized. On further questioning, he recently received fluconazole for a forearm abscess. He previously consumed traditional medications but stopped several years ago, which may have contained glucocorticoids. He was discharged on oral hydrocortisone. Cortisol levels improved gradually, and glucocorticoid replacement was ceased after 8 years, without any recurrence of hypercalcemia or Addisonian crisis. Both hypercalcemia and adrenal insufficiency may present with similar non-specific symptoms. It is important to consider adrenal insufficiency in hypercalcemia of unclear etiology.

Background:Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) have become an essential component of patients’ assessment in the management of Rheumatoid Arthritis(RA).They have been reported to be at least as informative if not more than physician assessed outcomes.MyRA Touch was pioneered by the Rheumatology Unit of Hospital Tuanku Jaa’far in Seremban Malaysia in March 2018,to engage and empower all RA patients on their own disease activity monitoring. It is an electronic platform, designed to enhanced the application of electronic patient reported outcomes (ePROs) among RA patients where they examine and record their own painful and/or swollen joints for DAS28 calculation and report their health assessment through Routine Assessment of Patient Index Data with 3 Measures (RAPID 3).MyRA Touch is an applications (App) that is user friendly and available in four major spoken languages (English, Chinese, Malay and Tamil) with an animated version for patients who are illiterate.Objectives:The objectives of this study are to determine the correlation between:I)Patient-reported and physician reported DAS28 ESR/CRPII)RAPID3 and Clinical Disease activity Index (CDAI)III)RAPID3 and DAS28 ESR/CRP assessed by physician and patientIV)RAPID3 and inflammatory markers ESR/CRP.Methods:This was a cross-sectional study carried out in the Rheumatology Unit of Hospital Tuanku Jaa’far. All data entered through MyRA Touch App from April 2018 till April 2020 was analysed.Results:There were a total of 562 patients who entered the data in the App, 87.9% were women. The ethnic compositions of the study subjects comprised of Indians (36.7%) followed by the Malays (34.7%),Chinese (26.3%) and other ethnics (2.3%). About half of patients (59.8%) were in the 51-70 age group whereas 22.9%,1.8% and 15.5% were in the 31-50,18-30 and above 70 age groups respectively. The majority of our patients (96%) were literate. A total of 54.3% of them received secondary education, 27% primary, 12.2% tertiary and 6.6% did not receive any formal education.There was a high level of correlation between DAS28 ESR/CRP performed by patient and DAS28 ESR/CRP assessed by physician, (r=0.808 for DAS28 ESR and r=0.804 for DAS28 CRP). RAPID3 also showed high level of correlation with CDAI and DAS28 CRP assessed by patient (r=0.700 and r=0.718 respectively). There was a moderate correlation between DAS28 ESR/CRP done by physician with RAPID3 (r=0.656 and r=0.696 respectively).RAPID3 demonstrated little correlation with inflammatory markers ESR and CRP (r=0.141 and r=0.171 respectively).Conclusion:PROs via DAS 28 (ESR/CRP) and RAPID3 showed moderate to high correlation with disease activity assessed by physician. We can empower patients to perform their own disease assessment by using the MyRA Touch App before seeing their physician and the information provided in the App, can help to reduced consultation time. During the COVID-19 pandemic, telemedicine is very much encouraged. By using the MyRA Touch, patients can assess their own tender and swollen joint count on a homunculus, evaluate their own physical function, health and pain using the RAPID3 parameters. The information obtained from the PROs in the MyRA touch App enables the physician to make a more comprehensive virtual assessment of the patient’s condition which helps in treatment decision making. In conclusion, MyRA Touch is an useful tool for disease activity measurement by patient.References:[1]Jenny AA, Diana BC, Omar JC, et al. Usefulness of Patients-Reported Outcomes in Rheumatoid Arthritis Focus Group. Hindawi Publishing Corporation Arthritis, vol 2012,Article ID935187.[2]Ana MO, Clifton OB. Patient Reported Outcomes in Rheumatoid Arthritis Clinical Trials. Curr Rheumato Rep.2015 April;17(4):501.Disclosure of Interests:None declared