Mechanism of elevated LH/FSH ratio in lean PCOS revisited: a path analysis.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder affecting 5-20% of reproductive-age women. However, the treatment of PCOS is mainly based on symptoms and not on its pathophysiology. Neuroendocrine disturbance, as shown by an elevated LH/FSH ratio in PCOS patients, was thought to be the central mechanism of the syndrome, especially in lean PCOS. LH and FSH secretion are influenced by GnRH pulsatility of GnRH neurons in the hypothalamus. Kisspeptin is the main regulator of GnRH secretion, whereas neurokinin B (NKB) and dynorphin regulate kisspeptin secretion in KNDy neurons. This study aims to deepen the understanding of the neuroendocrine disorder in lean PCOS patients and its potential pathophysiology-based therapy. A cross-sectional study was performed at Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo Kencana Hospital and the IMERI UI HRIFP cluster with 110 lean PCOS patients as subjects. LH, FSH, LH/FSH ratio, kisspeptin, NKB, dynorphin, leptin, adiponectin, AMH, fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, testosterone, and SHBG were measured. Bivariate and path analyses were performed to determine the relationship between variables. There was a negative association between dynorphin and kisspeptin, while NKB levels were not associated with kisspeptin. There was no direct association between kisspeptin and the LH/FSH ratio; interestingly, dynorphin was positively associated with the LH/FSH ratio in both bivariate and pathway analyses. AMH was positively correlated with the LH/FSH ratio in both analyses. Path analysis showed an association between dynorphin and kisspeptin levels in lean PCOS, while NKB was not correlated with kisspeptin. Furthermore, there was a correlation between AMH and the LH/FSH ratio, but kisspeptin levels did not show a direct significant relationship with the LH/FSH ratio. HOMA-IR was negatively associated with adiponectin levels and positively associated with leptin and FAI levels. In conclusion, AMH positively correlates with FAI levels and is directly associated with the LH/FSH ratio, showing its important role in neuroendocrinology in lean PCOS. From the path analysis, AMH was also an intermediary variable between HOMA-IR and FAI with the LH/FSH ratio. Interestingly, this study found a direct positive correlation between dynorphin and the LH/FSH ratio, while no association between kisspeptin and the LH/FSH ratio was found. Further research is needed to investigate AMH and dynorphin as potential therapeutic targets in the management of lean PCOS patients.

The effectiveness of self-empowerment-based patient-centered care for obese students in primary services: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Self-empowerment-based patient-centered services with a coaching approach are imperative in the management of students with obesity. This study evaluated the applicability and effectiveness of self-empowerment-based patient-centered coaching for the weight loss program model for obese students. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This randomized control trial recruited 60 obese students aged 17-22 years in Universitas Indonesia from August to December 2021. Intervention group subjects were coached by a health coach. Each health coach assisted four subjects with SMART model coaching in six meetings every 2 weeks through a zoom platform. Both groups had instructions on obesity, nutrition, and physical activity from specialist doctors online. Paired t-test or Mann-Whitney test, as appropriate, to compare the measurements of anthropometry, body composition (bioelectrical impedance analysis), food intake (food record form), physical activity (physical activity form), subjective well-being (subjective well-being questionnaire), and healthy behavior habits (satisfaction scale) between the two groups before and after the intervention. RESULTS: A total of 41 obese students completed the study, 23 from intervention group and 18 from the control group. The change in total body fat (-0.9 [-12.9, 0.70] vs. 0.0 [-6.9, 3.50], P = 0.02) and healthy behavior habit (13.5 ± 11.85 vs. 7.5 ± 8.08, P = 0.04) in the intervention group was significantly greater than in the control group. The change in satisfaction scale of hobby/passion (2 [-4.6] vs. 1 [-2.2], P = 0.02), movement exercise (2.3 ± 2.11 vs. 1.2 ± 1.93, P = 0.03), sleep rest (2 [-6.5] vs. 1 [-3.2], P = 0.01), and spiritual (1 [0.6] vs. 0 [-1.3], P = 0.00) was significantly higher in the coached group. CONCLUSION: A weight loss program for obese students was tested through self-empowerment-based patient-centered care with a coaching approach and has proven to effect changes in anthropometric indicators, body composition, self-empowerment, food intake, and physical activity.

Integration of symptomatic, demographical and diet-related comorbidities data with SARS-CoV-2 antibody rapid diagnostic tests during epidemiological surveillance: a cross-sectional study in Jakarta, Indonesia.

OBJECTIVES: Affordable options for COVID-19 epidemiological surveillance are needed. Virus detection by reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) is sensitive but costly, and antigen-based rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) are cheap but with reduced sensitivity; both detect current infection but not exposure. RDT-IgM/IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 detect exposure but have poor sensitivity for current infection. We investigated if the integration of symptomatic, demographical and diet-related comorbidities data with antibody RDTs improves their potential to assess infection rates in addition to exposure, thereby broadening their utility for surveillance. DESIGN: We conducted a cross-sectional study using data from community surveillance for SARS-CoV-2. Health workers collected nasopharyngeal swabs for RT-PCR and RDT antigen assessments and venous blood for RDT-IgM/IgG from symptomatic and asymptomatic persons. Data on age, gender, contact history, symptoms (ie, fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, headache, dyspnoea and diarrhoea), diet-related comorbidities (ie, diabetes and hypertension) and chest radiology were collected. SETTING: High-risk communities in Jakarta, Indonesia, in May 2020. PARTICIPANTS: 343 community members' data were included. OUTCOME MEASURES: RDT-IgM/IgG sensitivity, specificity and predictive values and area under receiver operating characteristic curve for RT-PCR positivity using RDT results alone and in combination with other predictors, including symptom components derived from principal component analysis. RESULTS: There were 24 PCR-confirmed infections. RDT-IgM/IgG-positive tests were associated with infection (OR 10.8, 95% CI 4.43 to 26.4, p<0.001) with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.708% and 50% sensitivity, 91.5% specificity, 30.8% positive predictive value (PPV) and 96.1% negative predictive value (NPV). RDT results combined with age, gender, contact history, symptoms and comorbidities increased the AUC to 0.787 and yielded 62.5% sensitivity, 87.0% specificity, 26.6% PPV and 96.9% NPV. CONCLUSIONS: SARS-CoV-2 RDT-IgM/IgG results integrated with other predictors may be an affordable tool for epidemiological surveillance for population-based COVID-19 exposure and current infection, especially in groups with outbreaks or high transmission.

Incidence Rate of Musculoskeletal Injuries among Professional Tennis Players during 2019 International Tournaments in Indonesia.

Several studies have indicated that musculoskeletal injuries are common during a professional tennis competition. However, data from a tropical country like Indonesia is lacking. This study aimed to obtain the incidence rate and injury characteristics and identify risk factors of musculoskeletal injuries among professional tennis players competing in Indonesia under the International Tennis Federation (ITF). The study was a prospective cohort during professional tennis tournaments in Jakarta, Indonesia in 2019, consisting of the ITF Women's Circuit Indonesia (two weeks) and ITF Men's Future Indonesia (three weeks). All athletes were enrolled in this study. Injuries were assessed based on the ITF Consensus Statement. Incidence rate was the number of injuries per 1000 player hours (i.e., the total duration from before the match starts to completion of the match after the final point). The magnitude of risk was expressed as a relative risk (RR) and its 95% confidence interval (CI). Independent risk factors were identified using multivariate analyses. A total of 161 tennis players were enrolled; 71 (44.1%) were men. Their mean age was 22 years old. The incidence rate of musculoskeletal injuries was 30.8 injuries per 1000 player hours (95% CI: 28.2-33.5). The most common onset was acute injuries (61.1%), while the most common location and type of injury was the trunk (38.9%) and muscle strain (61.1%). Risk factors associated with musculoskeletal injury were higher body height, skill level, history of previous injury, and wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) zone. There was no injury during the doubles matches. Previous injury was an independent risk factor (adjusted RR: 48.1 (95% CI: 11.3-155.0; p < 0.001). The incidence of musculoskeletal injuries among professional tennis player is considerably high. Factors associated with injury are body height, skill level, previous injury, and WBGT zone. Future injury prevention programmes should incorporate the management of previous injuries and take into account the effect of environmental temperature.

Supine versus prone position in percutaneous nephrolithotomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The decision for using supine or prone position in percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is still debatable. The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy and safety profile of the supine and prone position when performing PCNL. Methods: A systematic electronic search was performed using the database from MEDLINE, Cochrane library and Google Scholar from January 2009 to November 2019. The outcomes assessed were stone free rate, major complication rate, length of hospital stay and mean operation time. Results: A total of 11 articles were included in qualitative and quantitative analysis. The efficacy of PCNL in supine position as determined by stone free rate is significantly lower than in prone position (OR: 0.74; 95% CI: 0.66 - 0.83; p<0.00001), However, major complication rate is also lower in the supine group compared with the prone group (OR: 0.70; 95% CI: 0.51 - 0.96; p=0.03). There is no statistically significant difference in the length of hospital stay and mean operation time between both groups. Conclusion: Prone position leads to a higher stone free rate, but also a higher rate of major complication. Thus, the decision of using which position during PCNL should be based on the surgeon's experience and clinical aspects of the patients.

Breastfeeding Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice among White-Collar and Blue-Collar Workers in Indonesia.

BACKGROUND: Working status is identified as a major risk factor of poor breastfeeding practices among workers. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and factors associated with breastfeeding practice among white-collar and blue-collar workers in Indonesia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed in two factories and three government offices in Jakarta from December 2015 to February 2016. Subjects were woman workers whose children were age 6 to 24 months old and actively working in the factory and/or office. The factors studied were selected socio-demographic and occupational characteristics, score on knowledge and attitude, and breastfeeding practice during working hours. RESULTS: From a total of 192 subjects, 73% of white-collar workers had good knowledge on breastfeeding, in contrast with 55% of blue-collar workers who had not good breastfeeding knowledge (P < 0.001). Most of the subjects were conducting breast pumping during working hours, however 15% of white-collar workers and 17% of blue-collar workers never breastfeed nor breast pumped at work. Working status (P = 0.005) and knowledge (P = 0.002) were factors associated with breastfeeding practice among workers. CONCLUSION: White-collar workers have a better knowledge, attitude, and practice toward breastfeeding. Knowledge improvement related to breastfeeding benefits and supports to working mothers are a key priority, however advocacy to employers, managers, and supervisors in providing breastfeeding facilitation and program support were also critical to successful breastfeeding practice among workers.

Evaluation of the role of near-peer teaching in critical appraisal skills learning: a randomized crossover trial.

OBJECTIVES: The study sought to evaluate near-peer tutors' teaching of critical appraisal skills to medical students as an aspect of Evidence-based Medicine. METHODS: In a randomized crossover trial, 241 students completing a Clinical Epidemiology and Evidence-based Medicine (CE-EBM) module in the Faculty of Medicine Universitas Indonesia (FMUI) were randomly assigned to intervention or control groups. During tutorial sessions, intervention group participants were assigned to near-peer tutors, who were newly graduated doctors, and those in the control groups were assigned to staff tutors. After two tutorial sessions, intervention and control groups exchanged tutors for the next two sessions. Outcomes were measured using written knowledge and skills multiple choice questions (MCQ) test, the Evidence-based Practice Confidence Scale (EPIC) and a student attitude questionnaire, along with student evaluation of tutors to evaluate the process. RESULTS: On completion of the module, the written test scores of intervention group students were similar to those of the control group (t(239) = 1.553, p=0.122), as well as overall Evidence-based Practice Confidence Scale scores (F(2/170) = 0.179, p = 0.673) and attitude scores (t(219) =-0.676, p = 0.085). In the tutor evaluations, the students rated their near-peer tutored sessions as better than those tutored by staff in most respects. CONCLUSIONS: Near-peer tutors were as effective as and more readily accepted than staff tutors in teaching critical appraisal skills. These findings support the broader implementation of peer-teaching in other areas of medical education.

Clinical Practice Guidelines in Complicated Intra-Abdominal Infection 2018: An Indonesian Perspective.

BACKGROUND: The occurrence of complicated intra-abdominal infections (cIAI) remains high despite system improvement in accordance with Joint Commission International because of heterogeneity of management. However, published clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) were not feasible to be implemented because these guidelines were not specific to Indonesian characteristics. Thus, a national CPG should be developed to minimize heterogeneity in the management of cIAI in Indonesia. METHODS: We developed a CPG on cIAI through the adaptation of published CPGs. The process proceeded in steps recommended by ADAPTE. Published CPGs were critically appraised using Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE) II critical appraisal tools. For a specific updated CPG, the analysis was performed using Checklist for the Reporting of Updated Guidelines (CheckUp). Appropriate statements and recommendations in selected CPGs were adapted into our CPG with consideration of Indonesian characteristics. The recommendations were established by the hierarchy of evidence on Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE). The approval of the recommendation draft was performed using the Delphi method. RESULTS: Sixty-eight full-text guidelines were downloaded from several sites. Thirty-three CPGs were related to intra-abdominal infection and 18 others were specific on CPG on intra-abdominal infection and cIAI. On review of these 18 CPGs, 13 were strongly recommended, three were recommended, and two were not recommended. On review updated CPGs, five updated CPGs were found, all with the same score. Two of the strongly recommended updated CPGs had been published in 2016 and 2017, i.e. recommendations by the World Society of Emergency Surgery 2016 consensus conference and revised CPG of the Surgical Site Infection Society. There were a total of 84 statements and recommendations developed and approved by the task force through using the Delphi method. CONCLUSIONS: This guideline summarizes the definition, classification, pathophysiology, etiology, risk factors, assessments, and management of cIAI. Evidence-based recommendations have been developed with consideration of Indonesian-specific characteristics.

Meta-analysis of Optimal Management of Lower Pole Stone of 10 - 20 mm: Flexible Ureteroscopy (FURS) versus Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) versus Percutaneus Nephrolithotomy (PCNL).

BACKGROUND: the optimal management of lower calyceal stones is still controversial, because no single method is suitable for the removal of all lower calyceal stones. Minimally invasive procedures such as extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) and flexible ureteroscopy (fURS) are the therapeutic methods for lower calyceal stones. The aim of this study was to identify the optimal management of 10-20 mm lower pole stones. METHODS: a meta-analysis of cohort studies published before July 2016 was performed from Medline and Cochrane databases. Management of 10-20 mm lower pole stone treated by fURS, ESWL and PCNL with follow-up of residual stones in 1-3 months after procedure were include and urinary stone in other location and size were excluded. A fixed-effects model with Mantzel-Haenzel method was used to calculate the pooled Risk Ratio (RRs) and 95% Confidence Interval (CIs). We assessed the heterogeneity by calculating the I2 statistic. All analyses were performed with Review manager 5.3. RESULTS: we analized 8 cohort studies. The stone free rate from 958 patients (271 PCNL, 174 fURS and 513 ESWL), 3 months after operation, was 90.8% (246/271) after PCNL; 75.3% (131/174) after fURS; and 64.7% (332/513) after ESWL. Base on stone free rate in 10-20 mm lower pole stone following management, PCNL is better than fURS (overall RR was 1.32 (95% CI 1.13 - 1.55); p<0.001 and I2=57%) and ESWL (overall risk ratio 1.42 (95% CI 1.30 - 1.55); p=<0.001 and I2 = 85%). But, if we compare between fURS and ESWL, fURS is better than ESWL base on stone free rate in 10-20 mm lower pole stone management with overall RR 1.16 (95% CI 1.04 - 1.30; p=0.01 and I2=40%). CONCLUSION: percutaneus nephrolithotomy provided a higher stone free rate than fURS and ESWL. This meta-analysis may help urologist in making decision of intervention in 10-20 mm lower pole stone management.

Effect of citrus-based products on urine profile: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background. Urolithiasis is a disease with high recurrence rate, 30-50% within 5 years. The aim of the present study was to learn the effects of citrus-based products on the urine profile in healthy persons and people with urolithiasis compared to control diet and potassium citrate.  Methods. A systematic review was performed, which included interventional, prospective observational and retrospective studies, comparing citrus-based therapy with standard diet therapy, mineral water, or potassium citrate. A literature search was conducted using PUBMED, COCHRANE, and Google Scholar with "citrus or lemonade or orange or grapefruit or lime or juice" and "urolithiasis" as search terms. For statistical analysis, a fixed-effects model was conducted when p > 0.05, and random-effects model was conducted when p < 0.05.  Results. In total, 135 citations were found through database searching with 10 studies found to be consistent with our selection criteria. However, only 8 studies were included in quantitative analysis, due to data availability. The present study showed a higher increased in urine pH for citrus-based products (mean difference, 0.16; 95% CI 0.01-0.32) and urinary citrate (mean difference, 124.49; 95% CI 80.24-168.74) compared with a control group. However, no differences were found in urine volume, urinary calcium, urinary oxalate, and urinary uric acid. From subgroup analysis, we found that citrus-based products consistently increased urinary citrate level higher than controls in both healthy and urolithiasis populations. Furthermore, there was lower urinary calcium level among people with urolithiasis.  Conclusions. Citrus-based products could increase urinary citrate level significantly higher than control. These results should encourage further research to explore citrus-based products as a urolithiasis treatment.

Adapting clinical guidelines in low-resources countries: a study on the guideline on the management and prevention of type 2 diabetes mellitus in Indonesia.

RATIONALE, AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: Most of the clinical guidelines in low-resource countries are adaptations from preexisting international guidelines. This adaptation can be problematic when those international guidelines are not based on current evidence or original evidence-based international guidelines are not followed. This study aims to evaluate the quality of an Indonesian type 2 diabetes mellitus guideline adapted from selected international guidelines. METHODS: The "Consensus on the Management and Prevention of type 2 Diabetes in Indonesia 2011" is a guideline by the Indonesian Society of Endocrinology (Perkeni). Four parent guidelines identified from its list of references were from the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), American Association of Clinical Endocrinologist (AACE), American Diabetes Association (ADA), and one jointly released by ADA and European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD). Two reviewers independently assessed its quality using the Appraisal of Guidelines, Research and Evaluation Collaboration (AGREE II) instrument. Six recommendations were compared: (1) screening for diabetes; (2) diagnosis; (3) control of hyperglycemia; (4) target blood glucose; (5) target blood pressure; and (6) treatment of dyslipidemia. RESULTS: Perkeni's guideline satisfied 55% of the AGREE II items, while its parent guidelines satisfied 59% to 74%. Perkeni's shows low score on "rigor of development" and "applicability" and the lowest score in the "scope and purpose" domain. Differences were found in 4 recommendations: the screening of diabetes, control of hyperglycemia, target blood glucose, and treatment of dyslipidemia. In 3 of 4, Perkeni followed the ADA's recommendation. CONCLUSION: Derivation of recommendations from parent guidelines and their adaptation to the context of Indonesian health care lacks transparency. When guidelines are either derived from other guidelines or adapted for use in different context, evidence-based practice principles should be followed and adhered to.

Quality and reporting of publications by Indonesian researchers: a literature survey.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the quality of reporting of the risk of bias of the Indonesian medical research. METHODS: Publications from PubMed and non-PubMed indexed Indonesian medical journals between January 2008 to December 2010 were assessed for risk of bias based on criterion combination from Hedges-criteria and the Oxford Center for Evidence-Based Medicine. We assessed whether the publications addressed the risk of bias adequately (quality of reporting) and whether the risk of bias criterion was fulfilled (quality of methods). The quality (both of reporting and of methods) of a study was classified as "high" if, for at least two-thirds of the criteria were adequately reported and fulfilled. It was classified as "low" when only one-third of the criteria were reported and or fulfilled. RESULTS: Of the 1753 publications, 29% (n = 507) were original medical research. For 21% (109/507) the quality of reporting was high; for 15% (77/507) the quality of methods was high. The proportion of high quality was significantly higher among PubMed than non-PubMed, with difference between proportions: (95%CI of difference: 3 to 23). CONCLUSION: A small proportion of Indonesian studies have high quality of reporting or methods. When international reporting guidelines are endorsed and followed, the quality of future studies may improve.

Awareness, agreement, adoption and adherence to type 2 diabetes mellitus guidelines: a survey of Indonesian primary care physicians.

BACKGROUND: To assess the degree of awareness, agreement, adoption and adherence of physicians in Indonesia to type 2 diabetes mellitus guidelines, and their association with characteristics of the responders. METHODS: Questionnaire survey among General Practitioners (GPs) attending the Indonesian Association of Family Practitioners annual conference in November 2012. The proportion of GPs who were aware of, agreed with, adopted and adhered to the seven recommendations in the guidelines (screening for diabetes, diagnosis, lifestyle modification, use of sulfonylurea, target blood glucose, target blood pressure and use of statin) were calculated in the total number of responders. RESULTS: Of the 399 GPs participating, 383 (89%) were aware of the existence of Indonesian type 2 diabetes guidelines. Awareness for each recommendation varied from 66 to 91%. The recommendation to use a random blood glucose test for diagnosing patients with classic diabetes symptoms had the least awareness (265/399, 66%) and least agreement (163/399, 41%). The recommendation on statin use was the least adopted (192/399, 48%), while the least adherence (7/399, 2%) was found for the recommendation on screening for diabetes for patients with risk factors. Years of practice experience and proportion of diabetes patients seen in their practice were independently related with adherence to statin prescription. CONCLUSIONS: High awareness of the Indonesian type 2 diabetes guideline does not necessary lead to adoption or adherence to recommendations important for outcomes and quality of care. The awareness-to-adherence model helps in identifying barriers for the use of guidelines.

Indonesian primary care physicians profile in 2011: Did practicing hours and conversion program for family medicine differentiate their services and continuing medical education activities?

BACKGROUND: In Indonesia, Family Medicine as a discipline is being developed through short courses since 12 years ago. A conversion program to become Family Physicians has been introduced recently. Among the 70,000 primary care physicians there are variety of practitioners, from new interns who start general practice to senior general practitioners. This study aims to describe the current Indonesian Primary Care Physicians (PCPs) profile which includes services provided and facilities as well as comparing the profile according to participation in the conversion program and practice hours. METHODS: A survey was carried out by using pre-tested, semi-structured and self-administered questionnaire among Indonesian primary care physicians (PCPs) who attended ASEAN Regional Primary Care Conference in Jakarta, November 2011. The survey elicited information regarding their practice environment, services provided, equipment, investigations provided, procedures, facilities and continuing medical education (CME) activities. RESULTS: Out of 240 PCPs participated, 65.4% (157/240) of them were family physicians and 67.1% (161/240) of them were full time practitioners (practice > 30 hours per week). Services like body mass index (BMI) measurement, substance abuse program, respiratory function test, mental health assessment, and cardiovascular assessment were provided by less than 50% of the PCPs as well as some investigations like electrocardiograph (ECG), proctoscopy, ultrasound, visual examination and funduscopy. Family Physicians significantly provided more house call services (77% vs 63%; p = 0.01), than those who are not. No other significant difference was found in the practice of the family physicians compare to non-family physicians. CONCLUSIONS: The Indonesian PCPs were lacking in the provision of some particular medical procedures, management and follows up of acute and chronic conditions, and preventive medicine and health education. Improvement of primary health care has been seen globally as necessary effort in health systems reform and this information could provide guidance toward the efforts to improve the quality of primary care physicians in Indonesia.

Traction for low-back pain with or without sciatica.

BACKGROUND: Traction has been used to treat low-back pain (LBP), often in combination with other treatments. We included both manual and machine-delivered traction in this review. This is an update of a Cochrane review first published in 1995, and previously updated in 2006. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of traction compared to placebo, sham traction, reference treatments and no treatment in people with LBP. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Back Review Group Specialized Register, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (2012, Issue 8), MEDLINE (January 2006 to August 2012), EMBASE (January 2006 to August 2012), CINAHL (January 2006 to August 2012), and reference lists of articles and personal files. The review authors are not aware of any important new randomized controlled trial (RCTs) on this topic since the date of the last search. SELECTION CRITERIA: RCTs involving traction to treat acute (less than four weeks' duration), subacute (four to 12 weeks' duration) or chronic (more than 12 weeks' duration) non-specific LBP with or without sciatica. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently performed study selection, risk of bias assessment and data extraction. As there were insufficient data for statistical pooling, we performed a descriptive analysis. We did not find any case series that identified adverse effects, therefore we evaluated adverse effects that were reported in the included studies. MAIN RESULTS: We included 32 RCTs involving 2762 participants in this review. We considered 16 trials, representing 57% of all participants, to have a low risk of bias based on the Cochrane Back Review Group's 'Risk of bias' tool.For people with mixed symptom patterns (acute, subacute and chronic LBP with and without sciatica), there was low- to moderate-quality evidence that traction may make little or no difference in pain intensity, functional status, global improvement or return to work when compared to placebo, sham traction or no treatment. Similarly, when comparing the combination of physiotherapy plus traction with physiotherapy alone or when comparing traction with other treatments, there was very-low- to moderate-quality evidence that traction may make little or no difference in pain intensity, functional status or global improvement.For people with LBP with sciatica and acute, subacute or chronic pain, there was low- to moderate-quality evidence that traction probably has no impact on pain intensity, functional status or global improvement. This was true when traction was compared with controls and other treatments, as well as when the combination of traction plus physiotherapy was compared with physiotherapy alone. No studies reported the effect of traction on return to work.For chronic LBP without sciatica, there was moderate-quality evidence that traction probably makes little or no difference in pain intensity when compared with sham treatment. No studies reported on the effect of traction on functional status, global improvement or return to work.Adverse effects were reported in seven of the 32 studies. These included increased pain, aggravation of neurological signs and subsequent surgery. Four studies reported that there were no adverse effects. The remaining studies did not mention adverse effects. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that traction, either alone or in combination with other treatments, has little or no impact on pain intensity, functional status, global improvement and return to work among people with LBP. There is only limited-quality evidence from studies with small sample sizes and moderate to high risk of bias. The effects shown by these studies are small and are not clinically relevant. Implications for practice To date, the use of traction as treatment for non-specific LBP cannot be motivated by the best available evidence. These conclusions are applicable to both manual and mechanical traction. Implications for research Only new, large, high-quality studies may change the point estimate and its accuracy, but it should be noted that such change may not necessarily favour traction. Therefore, little priority should be given to new studies on the effect of traction treatment alone or as part of a package.

Effect of folic acid, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 supplementation on mortality and cardiovascular complication among patients with chronic kidney disease: an evidence-based case report.

AIM: to determine whether the administration of folic acid, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 would lead to reduction of cardiovascular complication and mortality among CKD patients. METHODS: a search was conducted on PubMed and Google. The selection of title and abstract was conducted using inclusion and exclusion criterias, which led to six relevant articles. The selected studies were critically appraised for its validity, importance and applicability. RESULTS: the administration of folic acid and vitamin B reduce homocysteine level among CKD patients. Despite homocysteine level reduction, all six studies reported similar findings that folic acid and vitamin B supplementation did not significantly reduce cardiovascular complication and mortality. CONCLUSION: treatment with folic acid, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 did not reduce cardiovascular complication and mortality among CKD patients.

From west to east; experience with adapting a curriculum in evidence-based medicine.

Clinical epidemiology (CE) and evidence-based medicine (EBM) have become an important part of medical school curricula. This report describes the implementation and some preliminary outcomes of an integrated CE and EBM module in the Faculty of Medicine Universitas Indonesia (UI), Jakarta and in the University of Malaya (UM) in Kuala Lumpur. A CE and EBM module, originally developed at the University Medical Center Utrecht (UMCU), was adapted for implementation in Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur. Before the start of the module, UI and UM staff followed a training of teachers (TOT). Student competencies were assessed through pre and post multiple-choice knowledge tests, an oral and written structured evidence summary (evidence-based case report, EBCR) as well as a written exam. All students also filled in a module evaluation questionnaire. The TOT was well received by staff in Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur and after adaptation the CE and EBM modules were integrated in both medical schools. The pre-test results of UI and UM were significantly lower than those of UMCU students (p < 0.001). The post test results of UMCU students were comparable (p = 0.48) with UI, but significantly different (p < 0.001) from UM. Common problems for the modules in both UI and UM were limited access to literature and variability of the tutors' skills. Adoption and integration of an existing Western CE-EBM teaching module into Asian medical curricula is feasible while learning outcomes obtained are quite similar.

Direct short-term effects of EBP teaching: change in knowledge, not in attitude; a cross-cultural comparison among students from European and Asian medical schools.

INTRODUCTION: We report about the direct short-term effects of a Clinical Epidemiology and Evidence-based Medicine (CE-EBM) module on the knowledge, attitude, and behavior of students in the University Medical Center Utrecht (UMCU), Universitas Indonesia (UI), and University of Malaya (UM). METHODS: We used an adapted version of a 26-item validated questionnaire, including four subscales: knowledge, attitude, behavior, and future use of evidence-based practice (EBP). The four components were compared among the students in the three medical schools before the module using one-way ANOVA. At the end of the module, we measured only knowledge and attitudes. We computed Cronbach's α to assess the reliability of the responses in our population. To assess the change in knowledge and attitudes, we used the paired t-test in the comparison of scores before and after the module. RESULTS: In total, 526 students (224 UI, 202 UM, and 100 UMCU) completed the questionnaires. In the three medical schools, Cronbach's α for the pre-module total score and the four subscale scores always exceeded 0.62. UMCU students achieved the highest pre-module scores in all subscales compared to UI and UM with the comparison of average (SD) score as the following: knowledge 5.04 (0.4) vs. 4.73 (0.69) and 4.24 (0.74), p<0.001; attitude 4.52 (0.64) vs. 3.85 (0.68) and 3.55 (0.63), p<0.001; behavior 2.62 (0.55) vs. 2.35 (0.71) and 2.39 (0.92), p=0.016; and future use of EBP 4.32 (0.59) vs. 4.08 (0.62) and 3.7 (0.71), p<0.01. The CE-EBM module increased the knowledge of the UMCU (from average 5.04±0.4 to 5.35±0.51; p<0.001) and UM students (from average 4.24±0.74 to 4.53±0.72; p<0.001) but not UI. The post-module scores for attitude did not change in the three medical schools. CONCLUSION: EBP teaching had direct short-term effects on knowledge, not on attitude. Differences in pre-module scores are most likely related to differences in the system and infrastructure of both medical schools and their curriculum.

Prevalence of diabetes among suburban population of Ternate--a small remote island in the eastern part of Indonesia.

AIM: to study the prevalence of diabetes in a sub-urban population of one of the less developed provinces in eastern part of Indonesia and its associated risk factors. METHODS: a cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2008 in adult population of TernateCityof North Moluccas Province, Indonesia, aged 20 years or more. Subjects were interviewed regarding diabetes risk factors by a standard questionnaire.Anthropometric (height, weight, waist and hip circumference) and blood pressure measurements were also taken. Diagnosis of diabetes was established by measuring overnight fasting capillary blood glucose with a glucose meter. Venous blood was also drawn for blood lipid profiling. RESULTS: 495 subjects consisted of 187 (37.8%) men and 308 (62.2%) women aged 20 to 84 years (mean age 47.30±12.78)were enrolled. Prevalence of diabetes (fasting blood glucose >126 mg/dL) was 19.6%. Four independent risk factors were identified, i.e. age at 45 years or older (OR=4.1, 95% CI = 2.4-7.1), having a positive family history (OR=2.4, 95% CI=1.5-4.0), a body mass index more than 23 kg/m2 (OR=1.8, 95% CI=1.02-3.3) and triglycerides levels more than 200 mg/dL (OR=2.6, 95% CI=1.2-5.6). CONCLUSION: the prevalence of diabetes in Ternate City, a sub-urban population in the eastern part of Indonesia is high. Having a family history of diabetes and being older are major risk factors of developing the disease. Metabolic factors are identified as the potential modifiable risk factors requiring intervention in the future.