Biomedical subjects

Leslie Lim

Publications and source records attributed to Leslie Lim.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Curry consumption and cognitive function in the elderly.

Curcumin, from the curry spice turmeric, has been shown to possess potent antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties and to reduce beta-amyloid and plaque burden in experimental studies, but epidemiologic evidence is lacking. The authors investigated the association between usual curry consumption level and cognitive function in elderly Asians. In a population-based cohort (n = 1,010) of nondemented elderly Asian subjects aged 60-93 years in 2003, the authors compared Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores for three categories of regular curry consumption, taking into account known sociodemographic, health, and behavioral correlates of MMSE performance. Those who consumed curry "occasionally" and "often or very often" had significantly better MMSE scores than did subjects who "never or rarely" consumed curry. The authors reported tentative evidence of better cognitive performance from curry consumption in nondemented elderly Asians, which should be confirmed in future studies.

Aged↗

PubMed2005

Generalised anxiety disorder in Singapore: prevalence, co-morbidity and risk factors in a multi-ethnic population.

BACKGROUND: There has been a relative lack of epidemiological data on generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) in Southeast Asia. A previous study reported a lifetime prevalence of 1.5% and highlighted low preference for seeking professional help and consultation by persons suspected to be suffering from mental health problems. The present study is part of a National Mental Health survey of adults conducted from February 2003-March 2004 specifically assessing anxiety and depression in Singapore. In this paper we report on prevalence, co-morbidity and risk factors associated with GAD. METHODS: We interviewed 2,847 households from an ethnically stratified random sample of adults aged 20-59 years who were Singapore citizens or permanent residents. The General Health Questionnaire and Schedule for Clinical Assessment of Neuropsychiatry were administered, which generated Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) diagnoses of GAD. We assessed socio-demographic correlates, life events, medical and other psychiatric co-morbidities related to GAD. RESULTS: Lifetime prevalence of GAD was 3.3%, current prevalence is 3.0%. Female to male ratio is 3.6:1. GAD was significantly associated (p<0.001) with the presence of other psychiatric co-morbidities, including major depressive disorder, dysthymia, panic disorder, agoraphobia and social phobia. Prevalence increased in older individuals, with the odds of association greatest in subjects with three or more co-morbid medical conditions [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 3.66]. Those who had experienced one or more threatening life events showed increased odds of association with GAD. Chinese ethnicity, the divorced and persons from both the upper and the lowest socio-economic status had highest odds of association with GAD. CONCLUSIONS: We challenge established notions that GAD tends to be a disorder of the socially disadvantaged. Life events are important as precipitating factors in GAD, and uniquely different types of events appear to affect both extremes of social classes. High co-morbidity associations with current GAD are grounds for concern. This may suggest failure to seek treatment, hence giving rise to an increase in severity of the primary condition.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Behind the facial twitch: depressive symptoms in hemifacial spasm.

BACKGROUND: Depression impairs psychosocial and occupational functioning and contributes to significant morbidity and mortality. Hemifacial spasm (HFS) causes social embarrassment and visual and verbal disability. OBJECTIVE: We examined; (1) the prevalence and predictive factors of depressive symptoms (Becks Depression Inventory (BDI) and clinical assessment) in HFS and (2) the sensitivity and specificity of BDI as a screening and diagnostic tool in HFS. METHODS: A large cohort of HFS patients in a movement disorders clinic was clinically evaluated and the BDI self-administered by patients. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression were undertaken to investigate the effect of age, gender, body-mass index, duration and severity of HFS on the outcome of BDI score. ROC (receiver operating characteristics) analysis was utilized to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity and discriminative property of the scale. RESULTS: There were 90 HFS patients with a mean age of 54.4+11.1 (35-79) years, comprising of 58.9% women and with a mean severity HFS score of 2.9+0.8 (range 1-4). The mean BDI score was higher in depressed HFS than in non-depressed HFS (19.7+6.7 vs 4.2+4.9, p<0.0001). Female gender and a younger age were risk factors (p=0.07). In the multivariate analysis, the severity of HFS was an independent predictor of BDI scores (p<0.0001). The AUC was 97.1% suggesting excellent discriminative property of BDI. For cut-off score of 12/13, the sensitivity was 93.3%, specificity 94.7%, Positive Predictive Value 77.8% and Negative Predictive Value 98.6%. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of depressive disorder in HFS was 16.7%, with younger women at greater risk. The severity of HFS was positively correlated with the severity of depressive symptoms. The BDI can be a complimentary screening and/or diagnostic instrument for depressive disorder in HFS. Early diagnosis of at-risk patients will prevent unnecessary morbidity and mortality.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Sexual assaults in Singapore: a comparative study of rapists and molesters.

Sexual assaults vary in terms of severity from molestation, which involves touching, stroking, fondling or grabbing of any part of the victim's body, to rape, where victims have been known to suffer severe emotional trauma. The aim of the study is to compare molesters with rapists using hypotheses that molesters and rapists commit their offences at different times of the day, at differing locations and with differing relationships with their victims. The influence of alcohol on both groups was also studied. Convicted molesters and rapists were given a semi-structured interview in prison. Demographic information and details of each offence were obtained from prison records. Comparisons were made of the demography, time, place, reasons for assault, relationship of offender to victims and the role of alcohol and drugs consumed by the perpetrators. Molesters and rapists were of similar age and ethnicity, but differed in that rapists had attained a lower educational level and were more likely to be single. Rapists were more likely to report having drunk alcohol, committing rape after midnight and in secluded places. Molesters struck in the afternoon hours and usually in crowded places. Victims of molesters tended to be relatives whereas victims of rapists were more likely to be ex-spouses or ex-lovers. Molesters tended to give other reasons for their offences. Differences between molesters and rapists could lead to intervention strategies chiefly targeting the issues of poor socialisation skills in molesters and alcohol counseling for rapists.

Adult↗