Multidisciplinary

Top Medical News
Acetaminophen use during pregnancy poses no risk of adverse cognitive effects in babies
7 hours ago
Children born to mothers who used acetaminophen during pregnancy do not appear to have poor cognitive development at 4 years of age, as shown in a study.
Promising treatment options for chronic hives on the horizon
Jairia Dela Cruz, 11 hours ago
Dupilumab, barzolvolimab, and remibrutinib appear to help reduce disease activity in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria, according to the results of three studies presented at AAAAI 2023.
Women, minorities remain underrepresented in paediatric cardiology
12 hours ago
The presence of women in paediatric cardiology remains inadequate, while that of underrepresented minorities in medicine (URMM) is very limited, reveals a recent study.
Early diagnosis is crucial
Stephen Padilla, 13 hours ago
Severe dysmenorrhoea, pain related to urinary and gastrointestinal tracts, higher fertility desire and infertility rate are all associated with deep infiltrating endometriosis, according to a Singapore study. On the other hand, heavy menstrual bleeding is predictive of adenomyosis.
Temozolomide beyond 6 months tied to better survival in glioblastoma
14 hours ago
More than 6 cycles of extended adjuvant temozolomide (TMZ) therapy may result in better overall (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with glioblastoma multiform, suggests a study.
COVID-19 vaccine risk-benefit ratio favourable for patients with rheumatic diseases
Audrey Abella, 15 hours ago
In the CONVIN-SING* study, there was a favourable risk-benefit ratio for COVID-19 vaccination in individuals with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIIRD) who have received a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine.
CGM improves glycaemic, neonatal outcomes in pregnant women with T1D
19 hours ago
Combining continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) therapy helps keep blood glucose levels low throughout pregnancy and lower the rate of large for gestational age (LGA) delivery, according to a study.
Special Reports
EMPULSE trial confirms the efficacy and safety profile of empagliflozin in patients stabilized in hospital following acute he
21 Mar 2023
Empagliflozin is the first SGLT-2i to significantly improve outcomes for patients with HF in any setting (in-hospital/outpatient), across the full spectrum of HF. Results from the EMPULSE trial showed that patients hospitalized for acute HF who were treated with empagliflozin following stabilization had 36% clinical benefit on the composite of mortality, HF events, and KCCQ-TSS improvement. The EMPULSE trial also provides a reassuring safety profile for empagliflozin that is consistent with previous trials.
NCDs in Focus Act Now! Summit 2022
16 Mar 2023

Viatris, a global healthcare company, collaborated with the Thai Hypertension Society and the Thai NCD Collaboration Group to organize the NCDs in Focus Act Now! Summit 2022 in Bangkok on October 29th and 30th. This summit brought together nearly 300 multidisciplinary experts from Southeast Asia and India to address the unmet needs in managing two critical noncommunicable diseases (NCDs): cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and mental health disorders (MHDs) in the region.

The summit had several key objectives. Firstly, it highlighted the effectiveness of clinical data in addressing gaps and unmet needs in clinical practice. Secondly, it emphasized the importance of sharing expertise and best practices through a platform that can optimize patient care. Additionally, it discussed the challenges of cardiovascular disease and mental health disorder care in a post COVID-19 world, and the need to re-examine them.

The summit also offered valuable insights into policy and practice changes, as well as innovative digital solutions that can lead to better outcomes. Lastly, it emphasized the significance of gaining a deeper understanding of the gaps in the patient journey to enhance patient care further.

Overall, the NCDs in Focus Act Now! Summit 2022 was a highly informative and productive event, with experts collaborating to improve the management of CVDs and MHDs in Southeast Asia and India.

Optimising treatment of
erectile dysfunction with
avanafil, a highly selective second-generation
phosphodiesterase type 5
01 Mar 2023
A recent webinar on Men’s Health featured the use of avanafil – a second-generation phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor (PDE5i) for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED). The webinar was jointly organised by A. Menarini together with the Malaysian Medical Association and Malaysian Pharmacists Society.
Microbiome in balance: Harnessing the power of skin microbiota.
01 Mar 2023
During the 47th annual general meeting and dermatology conference of the Dermatological Society of Malaysia Tarun Chopra, advanced research director at L’Oréal Singapore and co-director of the joint microbiome lab between L’Oréal and Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering at Nanyang Technological University, presented an overview of the impact of skin microbiota dysbiosis on the development of skin disorders and the potential therapeutic role of microbiome-friendly products in the management of these diseases.
Should We Treat Earlier for Polycythaemia Vera (PV)?
01 Mar 2023
At the recent Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPN) Expert Forum, Professor Dr Claire Harrison presented a lecture titled “Unmet Need and Future Direction in Polycythaemia Vera (PV).” Harrison discussed the problems associated with PV treatment, new diagnostic guidelines for the disease and role of ruxolitinib in PV treatment. Harrison is Clinical Director and Professor of MPN, Guy’s and St. Thomas Hospital, London, UK.
The respiratory vaccination landscape
01 Mar 2023
During a symposium sponsored by GlaxoSmithKline, two distinguished speakers shared their insights into the increased risks of morbidity and mortality from vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) in the elderly population and discussed the current vaccination landscape in Malaysia, highlighting the key role of healthcare professionals (HCPs) in overcoming vaccine hesitancy in the population.
The role of Tadalafil in the treatment of BPH and ED. Tadalafil remains a safe and effective on-demand PDE5i
for managing LU
01 Mar 2023
Dr Surayne Segaran, a Consultant Urological Surgeon, discussed the prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED), the role of PDE-5 inhibitors (PDE5i), its preference over alpha blockers as the first line treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), and the minimal side effects of tadalafil for on-demand dosing at a Novugen-sponsored forum.
Conference Reports
Biologics lower exacerbation rates in severe asthma, allergic rhinitis
Elaine Soliven, 28 Mar 2023
The use of either omalizumab (anti-immunoglobulin E [anti-IgE]) or nonomalizumab biologics reduced exacerbations in patients with severe asthma and allergic rhinitis, with the benefits being more evident among those taking nonomalizumab agents, according to the CHRONICLE trial presented at AAAAI 2023.
Peanut allergy guideline adherence remains low in US
Stephen Padilla, 27 Mar 2023
Children who are allergic to peanuts may benefit from two immunotherapies, one oral and another epicutaneous or on-the-skin, which have demonstrated safety and efficacy in separate studies presented at the recent AAAAI 2023.
CAB+RPV LA vs B/FTC/TAF for HIV: Which is better?
Audrey Abella, 27 Mar 2023
In virologically suppressed adults with HIV, the cabotegravir + rilpivirine long-acting (CAB+RPV LA) regimen was on par with bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (B/FTC/TAF) in terms of virologic efficacy, but the former gained the upper hand over the latter in terms of patient satisfaction and preference, the SOLAR* study reports.
VANGUARD sets the stage for a novel biologic in HAE
Elvira Manzano, 27 Mar 2023
Monthly injections of the investigational biologic garadacimab substantially reduced the mean attack rate in patients with hereditary angioedema (HAE) in the phase III VANGUARD trial.
Atorvastatin may prevent anthracycline-associated cardiac dysfunction in lymphoma patients
Elaine Soliven, 25 Mar 2023
Among patients with lymphoma receiving anthracycline-based chemotherapy, those who received atorvastatin for 12 months were significantly less likely to experience a cardiac dysfunction than those on placebo, according to the STOP-CA* trial presented at ACC.23/WCC.
Less salt may be fatally counterproductive for people with heart failure
Jairia Dela Cruz, 24 Mar 2023
Too little salt is not necessarily better for individuals with heart failure, with the results of a recent meta-analysis suggesting that sodium restriction in this population increases the risk of death.
Long-term dupilumab proven safe, effective in children with asthma
Stephen Padilla, 24 Mar 2023
Long-term treatment with dupilumab is well tolerated, and its efficacy in children with uncontrolled, moderate-to-severe asthma as seen in the VOYAGE study is consistent, according to the EXCURSION open-label extension study. In addition, patients who switched from placebo to dupilumab has improved rapid lung function.