Colorectal cancer and its association with the metabolic syndrome: a Malaysian multi-centric case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: Colorectal cancer (CRC) and the metabolic syndrome (MetS) are both on the rise in Malaysia. A multi-centric case-control study was conducted from December 2009 to January 2011 to determine any relationship between the two. METHODS: Patients with confirmed CRC based on colonoscopy findings and cancer free controls from five local hospitals were assessed for MetS according to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) definition. Each index case was matched for age, gender and ethnicity with two controls (140: 280). RESULTS: MetS among cases was highly prevalent (70.7%), especially among women (68.7%). MetS as an entity increased CRC risk by almost three fold independently (OR=2.61, 95%CI=1.53-4.47). In men MetS increased the risk of CRC by two fold (OR=2.01, 95%CI, 1.43-4.56), demonstrating an increasing trend in risk with the number of Mets components observed. CONCLUSION: This study provides evidence for a positive association between the metabolic syndrome and colorectal cancer. A prospective study on the Malaysian population is a high priority to confirm these findings.

Total parathyroidectomy under local anaesthesia for renal hyperparathyroidism.

INTRODUCTION: Renal hyperparathyroidism with attendant osteodystrophy is a frequent and severe morbidity affecting the quality of life of end stage renal failure patients surviving on long-term renal replacement therapy. A small subgroup of these patients with severe cardiorespiratory dysfunction was deemed at very high risk for general anaesthesia (GA). We report on a series of total parathyroidectomy under local anaesthesia (LA) for these patients. METHODOLOGY: A total of 32 consecutive patients with severe cardiorespiratory dysfunction who underwent total parathyroidectomy under LA over a period of 7 years were prospectively accrued in this study. The patient characteristics, the operative outcome and the feasibility to surgery under LA were analysed. RESULTS: Sixteen of the patients (50%) had severe restrictive lung disease as a result of renal osteodystrophy and the other 16 patients had poor cardiac status. Histopathological examination confirmed 23 (71.9%) patients had four glands removed and seven (21.9%) patients had three glands removed. Two patients had only two glands removed and had recurrent hypercalcaemia. However, all patients reported symptomatic improvement. The post-operative complications were minimal; one patient had acute coronary syndrome and wound haematoma and another patient had wound haematoma which necessitated exploration under LA. A further patient developed congestive heart failure requiring treatment in the coronary care unit. CONCLUSION: Total parathyroidectomy can be performed safely and successfully under LA. We believe surgery under LA would be the most appropriate option for selected, high-risk patients to minimise the risk of GA.

Behcet's disease with vascular complications.

A young gentleman presented with a history of multiple pseudoaneurysms of the right carotid artery, left radial artery, right femoral artery as well as deep vein thrombosis involving the right femoral vein. A diagnosis of Behcet's disease was made on the basis of his history of recurrent oral and genital ulceration with characteristic eye lesion.