Author: Tony Zhang

In 2019, the global contraceptive use prevalence was found to be 51.9% [1]. However, there was a huge difference in the percentage use of contraceptives across countries – for example, 1.9% in South Sudan to 87.9% in Norway [1]. A wide variety of contraceptives have been developed in the past decades, including male/female condom, combined oral contraceptives (OCT), hormonal or copper intrauterine device (IUD), subdermal implant, and surgeries like vasectomy.  Recently, a group of researchers based in the US explored women’s preferences for a new contraceptive under development. The study [2] was published on Frontiers in July 2023. It recruited…

Traditionally, brain atrophy, or cerebral atrophy – the loss of neurons and the connections have been associated with stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis or infections. Recently, a group of Japanese researchers have established a new link between frequency of social contact and brain atrophy in the elderly without dementia [1].  Epidemiological evidence has shown that social isolation is associated with the risk of dementia. Based on that, the authors hypothesized that social isolation is also involved in brain atrophy. To prove this, the study enrolled 8896 eligible individuals (57% female 43% male) of mean age 73…

Worldwide obesity has nearly tripled since 1975, with over 1.9 billion adults overweight, among which 650 million were obese, according to WHO [1] data in 2016. For people aged 60 and older, obesity prevalence is as high as 41.5% according to data from US CDC [2]. In Asia, very limited data on elderly obesity is available. A 2015 Malaysian survey [3] found that the prevalence of obesity in elderly group was 30.2%, lower than that of the US, but still a significant proportion. Previous recognized complications of obesity are well known: hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, stroke, obstructive sleep apnoea, osteoarthritis and…

Gout [1] is one of the most common causes of inflammatory arthritis worldwide, characterised by urate crystal deposition in the joint spaces.  Previously recognized complications of gout include tophi, joint deformity, bone loss; renal disease such as nephrolithiasis, and ocular diseases such as conjunctivitis, uveitis, or scleritis [2]. 

Recently, a group of Swedish researchers have shown that AI-supported mammography screening resulted in a similar cancer detection rate compared with readings from medically trained radiologists. The Lancet Oncology published the study’s result on 2nd August 2023.

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) device recently made news [1] when FDA expanded the indication for Abbott Laboratories’ SCS device to include treatment of chronic back pain in patients who have not had, or are not eligible for, back surgery, the company has announced. This article is going to provide a brief review into SCS device’s efficacy, adverse effects, and current markets in Asia.   Spinal cord stimulation has been well established as a safe and effective treatment of pain derived from a wide variety of aetiologies [2]. Randomized clinical trials for failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS), complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS),…

Prevalence of Alzheimer Disease Worldwide & In Asia Pacific Alzheimer disease (AD) [1] is the leading cause of cognitive impairment, a neurological condition affecting the elderly (aged 65 and above) in terms of language, memory, comprehension, attention, judgment, and reasoning. The global prevalence of dementia [2] is reported to be as high as 44 million and is predicted to increase 4 times by the year 2050. In the Asia Pacific region alone, the proportion of people with dementia is similarly expected to triple by 2050.  FDA Approval of Brexipiprazole (Rexulti) for Agitation Among patients with AD, agitation [3] is one of…

Asian Landscape of Ulcerative Colitis and Inflammatory Bowel Disease Ulcerative colitis (UC), being the primary type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) globally [1] is an inflammatory condition of the colon characterised by diffuse friability and superficial erosions on the colonic wall and associated bleeding. Typical presentation of UC begins in the rectum, extending to the proximal area. In Asia, a 2016 study [2] concluded that around 1 per 100,000 have UC, with the total incidence of IBD ranging from 0.5 to 3 per 100,000 people across nations in Asia.  Introduction of Etrasimod for Ulcerative Colitis Pfizer, the company that developed…

Face Up to Rosacea Rosacea is a common chronic inflammatory disease that presents with recurrent facial redness, flushing, and visible blood vessels. It tends to affect the central portion of the face, including the cheeks, nose, chin, and forehead. It also causes bumps, pimples, and thickened skin around the nose. A study [1] in 2018 concluded that around 5.46% of the population worldwide is affected by this condition, mostly people aged 45-60 years.  Figure 1: Woman with Rosacea Acne or Rosacea? You might be wondering, doesn’t this look like pimples as well? Indeed they can sometimes look very similar, but…

Zavicefta [1] is a combination of an existing antipseudomonal cephalosporin antibiotic ceftazidime with avibactam, which inhibits beta-lactamase production. It was developed by Pfizer and first approved by FDA in February 2015. Over the following years, it has been approved by FDA to be used for complicated abdominal and urinary tract infections, hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia and ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia in both adults and paediatric patients.  Infections caused by carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) are commonly seen in the urinary tract, lungs and non-healing wounds. However, this bacteria group is not well-represented in Zavicefta’s initial clinical study. Initially, the treatment regimen for CPE infections…