IntroductionGlobal population ageing is one of the key factors linked to the projected rise of dementia incidence. Hence, there is a clear need to identify strategies to overcome this expected health burden and have a meaningful impact on populations’ health worldwide. Current evidence supports the role of modifiable dietary and lifestyle risk factors in reducing the risk of dementia. In South-East Asia, changes in eating and lifestyle patterns under the influence of westernised habits have resulted in significant increases in the prevalence of metabolic, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Low vegetable consumption and high sodium intake have been identified as key contributors to the increased prevalence of NCDs in these countries. Therefore, nutritional and lifestyle strategies targeting these dietary risk factors are warranted. The overall objective of this randomised feasibility trial is to demonstrate the acceptability of a dietary intervention to increase the consumption of high-nitrate green leafy vegetables and reduce salt intake over 6 months among Malaysian adults with raised blood pressure.Methods and analysisPrimary outcomes focus on feasibility measures of recruitment, retention, implementation and acceptability of the intervention. Secondary outcomes will include blood pressure, cognitive function, body composition and physical function (including muscle strength and gait speed). Adherence to the dietary intervention will be assessed through collection of biological samples, 24-hour recall and Food Frequency Questionnaire. A subgroup of participants will also complete postintervention focus groups to further explore the feasibility considerations of executing a larger trial, the ability of these individuals to make dietary changes and the barriers and facilitators associated with implementing these changes.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval has been obtained from Monash University Human Research Ethics Committee and Medical Research and Ethics Committee of Malaysia. Results of the study will be disseminated via peer-reviewed publications and presentations at national and international conferences.ISRCTN47562685; Pre-results.

There is a critical need for evidence for a better understanding of the mechanisms of the associations between risk factors and glycaemic control.

ObjectivesTo assess the prevalence and factors associated with multimorbidity in a community-dwelling general adult population on a large Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) scale.DesignPopulation-based cross-sectional study.SettingSouth East Asia Community Observatory HDSS site in Malaysia.ParticipantsOf 45 246 participants recruited from 13 431 households, 18 101 eligible adults aged 18–97 years (mean age 47 years, 55.6% female) were included.Main outcome measuresThe main outcome was prevalence of multimorbidity. Multimorbidity was defined as the coexistence of two or more chronic conditions per individual. A total of 13 chronic diseases were selected and were further classified into 11 medical conditions to account for multimorbidity. The conditions were heart disease, stroke, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, musculoskeletal disorder, obesity, asthma, vision problem, hearing problem and physical mobility problem. Risk factors for multimorbidity were also analysed.ResultsOf the study cohort, 28.5% people lived with multimorbidity. The individual prevalence of the chronic conditions ranged from 1.0% to 24.7%, with musculoskeletal disorder (24.7%), obesity (20.7%) and hypertension (18.4%) as the most prevalent chronic conditions. The number of chronic conditions increased linearly with age (p<0.001). In the logistic regression model, multimorbidity is associated with female sex (adjusted OR 1.28, 95% CI 1.17 to 1.40, p<0.001), education levels (primary education compared with no education: adjusted OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.53 to 0.74; secondary education: adjusted OR 0.60, 95% CI 0.51 to 0.70; tertiary education: adjusted OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.54 to 0.80; p<0.001) and employment status (working adults compared with retirees: adjusted OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.60 to 0.82, p<0.001), in addition to age (adjusted OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.05, p<0.001).ConclusionsThe current single-disease services in primary and secondary care should be accompanied by strategies to address complexities associated with multimorbidity, taking into account the factors associated with multimorbidity identified. Future research is needed to identify the most commonly occurring clusters of chronic diseases and their risk factors to develop more efficient and effective multimorbidity prevention and treatment strategies.

The DePEC-Nutrition trial is a complex dietary and behavioural intervention of salt intake reduction combined with increased high-nitrate vegetable consumption among Malaysian middle-aged and older adults with elevated blood pressure. This study aimed to assess the feasibility and acceptability of the trial. Participants were recruited from the South East Asia Community Observatory (SEACO) database and randomised into one of four groups: (1) low salt; (2) high-nitrate vegetable; (3) combined high-nitrate vegetable and low salt; and (4) control. The intervention included a combination of group counselling sessions, information booklets, reinforcement videos and text messages to modify dietary behaviour. The primary outcomes evaluated were the measures of feasibility and acceptability of (1) recruitment, follow-up attendance and retention; (2) data collection procedures and clinical outcome measures; and (3) individual and combined multi-modal dietary interventions. A total of 74 participants were recruited, and the 10-month retention rate was 73%. Data collection procedures were acceptable with minimal missing data. All intervention strategies were feasible and acceptable, with group counselling being the most acceptable strategy. This study provides important insights into improving the screening process of participants, facilitating their access to the research facilities and refining the measurement protocols and dietary recommendations, which are instrumental in formulating the design of a full-scale definitive DePEC-Nutrition trial.

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a growing global health concern that is likely to reach a pandemic level by 2030 and is one of the leading causes of death globally. Recently, T2DM has been causing an increase in premature mortality including in developing countries. AIM: This study aimed to determine the prevalence and the factors associated with poor glycaemic control among Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients in Segamat, Malaysia.  METHOD: The study population was selected from the National Diabetic Registry (NDR) database between June 2019 and September 2020 which included a total of 3,100 patients. General and clinical information were retrieved from the registry. Glycaemic control was categorised as good (HbA1c ≤6.5 %) or poor (HbA1c >6.5%). Univariable and multivariable logistic regression were performed to assess the factors of poor glycaemic control RESULTS: More than half (59.2%) of the patients had poor glycaemic control. As high as 55.1% of older patients (≥60 years old) had poorer glycaemic control. Most patients with poor glycaemic control (62.0%) were obese. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that age (≥60 years old), ethnicity (Malay and Indian), more than 10 years of diabetes, obesity, early diabetes onset before 40 years, and dyslipidaemia were associated with poor glycaemic control. CONCLUSION: These findings can provide the necessary guidance for the stakeholders in identifying T2DM patients at risk of poor glycaemic control so that early preventive measures and organised care can be provided for the patients.