An Analysis of Geriatric Medicine in Malaysia-Riding the Wave of Political Change

Tan, Maw Pin; Kamaruzzaman, Shahrul Bahyah; Poi, Philip Jun Hua

doi:10.3390/geriatrics3040080

Cited by 11 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 37 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…While national guidelines for adult vaccinations do exist, government, insurer or employer funded adult vaccination programmes currently do not. Despite free health care for older persons in public health facilities, the annual influenza vaccination is funded out‐of‐pocket, with low awareness for the need to vaccinate, among healthcare workers and patients in high‐risk groups. This highlights the reactive nature of the current health service, with lack of emphasis on preventive measures .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The effects of age on clinical characteristics, hospitalization and mortality of patients with influenza‐related illness at a tertiary care centre in Malaysia

Wong

Sii

P'ng

et al. 2020

Influenza Resp Viruses

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background:Age is an established risk factor for poor outcomes in individuals with influenza-related illness, and data on its influence on clinical presentations and outcomes in the South-East Asian settings are scarce. The aim of this study was to determine the above among adults with influenza-related upper respiratory tract infection at a teaching hospital in Malaysia. Methods:A retrospective case-note analysis was conducted on a cohort of 3935 patients attending primary care at with URTI symptoms. Demographics, clinical characteristics, medical and vaccination history were obtained from electronic medical records, and mortality data from the National Registration Department. Comparisons were made between those aged <25, ≥25 to <65 and ≥65 years.Results: 470 (11.9%) had PCR-confirmed influenza virus infection. Six (1.3%) received prior influenza vaccination. Those aged ≥65 years were more likely to have ≥2 comorbidities (P < .001) and were less likely to present with fever (P = .004). One-third of those aged ≥65 years experienced hospitalization, intensive care admission or death within a year compared to 10% in the ≥25 to <65 years. Age ≥65 years was an independent predictor of hospitalization and death (OR = 9.97; 95% CI = 3.11-31.93) compared to those aged <25 years. Conclusion:Older patients in our cohort were more likely to have comorbidities and present with atypical features, with older age being an independent predictor of poor health outcomes. Our findings will now inform future health policies on older persons and economic modelling of adult vaccination programmes.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The effects of age on clinical characteristics, hospitalization and mortality of patients with influenza‐related illness at a tertiary care centre in Malaysia

Wong

Sii

P'ng

et al. 2020

Influenza Resp Viruses

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The discrepancy may also have socioeconomic causes; older adults whose adult children have the financial means may prefer to have their parents treated at specialist private clinics. Introduction of free public healthcare for senior citizens in 2013 had left many public hospitals overcrowded and overstretched, potentially reducing the quality of care [25].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cross-sectional study of influenza trends and costs in Malaysia between 2016 and 2018

Wan Puteh,

Aazmi,

Aziz

et al. 2024

PLoS ONE

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background and objectives While influenza circulates year-round in Malaysia, research data on its incidence is scarce. Yet, this information is vital to the improvement of public health through evidence-based policies. In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to determine the trends and financial costs of influenza. Methods Data for the years 2016 through 2018 were gathered retrospectively from several sources. These were existing Ministry of Health (MOH) influenza sentinel sites data, two teaching hospitals, and two private medical institutions in the Klang Valley, Malaysia. Expert consensus determined the final estimates of burden for laboratory-confirmed influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infection (SARI). Economic burden was estimated separately using secondary data supplemented by MOH casemix costing. Results Altogether, data for 11,652 cases of ILI and 5,764 cases of SARI were extracted. The influenza B subtype was found to be predominant in 2016, while influenza A was more prevalent in 2017 and 2018. The distribution timeline revealed that the highest frequency of cases occurred in March and April of all three years. The costs of influenza amounted to MYR 310.9 million over the full three-year period. Conclusions The study provides valuable insights into the dynamic landscape of influenza in Malaysia. The findings reveal a consistent year-round presence of influenza with irregular seasonal peaks, including a notable influenza A epidemic in 2017 and consistent surges in influenza B incidence during March across three years. These findings underscore the significance of continuous monitoring influenza subtypes for informed healthcare strategies as well as advocate for the integration of influenza vaccination into Malaysia’s national immunization program, enhancing overall pandemic preparedness.

show abstract

“…The gap score was reported to be significantly higher in specialized care and nursing homes for the aged who reside in non-city center areas than those in the city center. The majority of specialist facilities needed by the elderly are placed in the city center [ 32 , 33 ]. Increased funding for geriatric specialist training may be necessary to meet the needs of older adults, particularly those who live outside of city centers.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Perceived Gap of Age-Friendliness among Community-Dwelling Older Adults: Findings from Malaysia, a Middle-Income Country

Chang

Lim

Supramaniam

et al. 2022

IJERPH

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: The United Nations predicts that the global population aged 65 years or above will double from 703 million in 2019 to 1.5 billion by 2050. In Malaysia, the older population has reached 2.4 million, accounting for nearly 8% of the population. This study aimed to evaluate the perceptions of the elderly on the importance and availability of the age-friendly features in eight domains specified by the Global Network of Age-Friendly City and Communities. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted by structured face-to-face and or telephone interviews. Gap score analysis was performed for 32 items of the 8 age-friendly domains. The gap scores were categorized as follows: 0 = not important OR important and element available; 1 = important but unsure whether the element is available; 2 = important but element not available. The gap scores were then dichotomized into “yes” and “no”, and multivariate logistic regression analysis was subsequently performed. Results: From the 1061 respondents, the housing (55.4%) and transportation (50.7%) domains reported the highest mean perceived gap scores. Out of the 32 elements, the highest mean gap percent scores were observed in elderly priority parking bays (83.8%), home visits by healthcare professionals (78.9%), financial assistance for home modification and purchase (66.3%), and affordable housing options (63.6%). Respondents in the city center reported higher gap scores for modified restrooms, parks, volunteer activities, and the internet; respondents in the non-city center reported higher gap scores for nursing homes, healthcare professionals, and cultural celebrations. Age, location, marital status, income, duration of stay, physical exercise, internet access, and intention to continue working were found to be associated with a higher perceived gap in specific domains. Conclusion: The most significant unmet needs were detected in the housing, transportation, and employment opportunities domains. Considerable disparities in the perceived gap were detected between the older population in the city center and non-city center. To address shortcomings in the local age-friendly setting, coordinated municipal policies, political commitment, and benchmarking of existing age-friendly cities are warranted.

show abstract

An Analysis of Geriatric Medicine in Malaysia-Riding the Wave of Political Change

Cited by 11 publications

References 37 publications

The effects of age on clinical characteristics, hospitalization and mortality of patients with influenza‐related illness at a tertiary care centre in Malaysia

The effects of age on clinical characteristics, hospitalization and mortality of patients with influenza‐related illness at a tertiary care centre in Malaysia

Cross-sectional study of influenza trends and costs in Malaysia between 2016 and 2018

Perceived Gap of Age-Friendliness among Community-Dwelling Older Adults: Findings from Malaysia, a Middle-Income Country

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About