Latest news with #comorbidities
Free Malaysia Today
a day ago
- Health
- Free Malaysia Today
First Covid-19 related death recorded for this year
The number of Covid-19 infections also rose by 68% to 3,379 in the 24th epidemiological week, the health ministry said. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : A Covid-19 related death has been recorded in the 24th epidemiological week, which also saw the number of Covid-19 infections rise by 68% to 3,379, says the health ministry. In a statement, the ministry said the patient was a diabetic and suffered from heart disease. The victim also did not take the second booster shot, the ministry said. 'It is the first Covid-19 death to be recorded this year.' 'This shows a significant drop from the number of Covid-19 related deaths in 2024 which totalled 57,' the ministry said in a statement. The last Covid-related death was recorded on May 26, 2024. The ministry also said that six of the 3,379 Covid-19 patients in the 24th epidemiological week were initially warded in the intensive care unit. All six suffered from comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes and heart diseases. Four were later allowed to return home and the remaining two transferred to regular wards. The ministry said that some 2,011 cases were recorded in the 23rd epidemiological week. 'Despite the slight increase, the Covid-19 situation in the country remains under control and is still below the national alert level.' The ministry said a total of 21,738 cases had been reported so far this year.
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Health
- Malay Mail
Malaysia reports first Covid-19 fatality this year involving high-risk patient, says Health Ministry
PUTRAJAYA, June 19 — Malaysia recorded its first Covid-19 death this year in the 24th epidemiological week of 2025 (ME 24/2025), involving an individual with serious comorbidities and no second booster dose, the Health Ministry (MoH) said today. In a statement, the ministry said the cumulative number of Covid-19 cases nationwide stands at 21,738, with weekly averages holding steady at around 900 cases. However, ME 24/2025 saw a slight increase to 3,379 cases — up 14 per cent from 2,011 cases the previous week. 'Despite the uptick, the overall Covid-19 situation in the country remains under control and well below the national alert threshold,' said the ministry, crediting continuous surveillance and public health interventions. The lone fatality reported this year marks a sharp decline from the 57 Covid-related deaths recorded in 2024. The last death prior to this occurred on May 26, 2024. The latest victim was reportedly living with heart disease and diabetes and had not received a second booster dose. In the same week, six Covid-19 patients were admitted to intensive care units (ICUs). All were vulnerable individuals with existing conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, dyslipidaemia, and Down syndrome. 'All six patients received critical care under the supervision of health professionals and have since been discharged from the ICU — four have returned home, while two were transferred to general wards,' the ministry said.
Medscape
3 days ago
- Health
- Medscape
Comorbidities Intensify Rare Neurologic Diseases
Comorbidities, especially cardiovascular and autoimmune diseases, were frequent in aquaporin-4 antibody-positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (AQP4-NMOSD) and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD), correlating with worse clinical outcomes, including more frequent optic neuritis relapses, greater disability, and retinal layer thinning. METHODOLOGY: The CROCTINO study was a retrospective, multicentre cohort study that analysed data of 442 patients with AQP4-NMOSD, MOGAD, and double seronegative NMOSD (DN-NMOSD) across 22 centres worldwide between 2000 and 2018, focusing on retinal pathology using optical coherence tomography (OCT). Researchers assessed comorbidities (classified into 14 categories) and their impact on disease severity, optic neuritis relapse rates, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores, and retinal integrity using OCT. They compared the prevalence and types of comorbidities across disease groups, evaluated associations with clinical outcomes, and analysed changes in retinal layer thickness. TAKEAWAY: Comorbidities were present in 43.5% of patients with AQP4-NMOSD, 40.8% of those with MOGAD, and 36.4% of those with DN-NMOSD. Those with AQP4-NMOSD had more multiple comorbidities than those with MOGAD (50% vs 25%; P = .03). = .03). EDSS scores were higher in patients with MOGAD and comorbidities than in those without (3.0 vs 2.0; P = .006) and in those with DN-NMOSD and comorbidities than in those without (5.0 vs 2.0; P = .008), but not significantly different between those with AQP4-NMOSD and those without. = .006) and in those with DN-NMOSD and comorbidities than in those without (5.0 vs 2.0; = .008), but not significantly different between those with AQP4-NMOSD and those without. Among patients with AQP4-NMOSD, those with cardiovascular comorbidities exhibited higher annual optic neuritis relapses than those with autoimmune comorbidities (mean, 1.06 ± 3.33 vs 0.49 ± 0.98; P < .001). < .001). Retinal changes showed reduced inner nuclear layer thickness in patients with AQP4-NMOSD having comorbidities, especially cardiovascular conditions ( P = .009). IN PRACTICE: "Comorbidities are frequent in AQP4-NMOSD and MOGAD and are associated with ON [optic neuritis] frequency and disability. These findings highlight the need for proactive comorbidity management to improve patient care," the authors wrote. SOURCE: This study, led by Sara Samadzadeh, Institute of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark, was published online on June 09, 2025, in the European Journal of Neurology . LIMITATIONS: This study's retrospective design may have led to inaccuracies in comorbidity documentation, including unrecorded risk factors (eg, smoking) and inconsistent data recorded. Some comorbidities could independently affect OCT or EDSS outcomes, potentially confounding the results. DISCLOSURES: This study was supported by the Lundbeck Foundation; the University of Southern Denmark, Slagelse Hospital Research Fund, and Region Zealand Health Sciences Research Fund; and the Guthy-Jackson Charitable Foundation. Some authors reported receiving support from several other organisations.
Medscape
12-06-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Obesity Linked to Earlier Disease, Higher Comorbidity Risk
Compared with individuals with normal BMI, those with obesity have earlier onset and higher rates of related comorbidities, with musculoskeletal pain as the most common. METHODOLOGY: Obesity is associated with more than 200 comorbidities, yet limited data exist on their timing and sequence of onset. Researchers conducted a retrospective cohort study using US electronic health record data to compare the prevalence, incidence, and sequence of obesity-related comorbidities in adults with obesity (BMI ≥ 30) vs those with normal BMI (18.5 to < 25) between January 2011 and December 2014. The prevalence of 19 obesity-related comorbidities, including musculoskeletal pain and cardiometabolic and endocrine disorders, was assessed at baseline; the incidence of new-onset cases was analyzed over a median follow-up of 5 years. TAKEAWAY: Researchers included 57,978 adults each (mean age, 52 years; 64.7% women) in the cohorts with obesity and normal BMI. At baseline, 61.1% of individuals with obesity and 49.6% of those with normal BMI had at least one obesity-related comorbidity. Multimorbidity (at least three comorbidities) was nearly twice as prevalent in the obesity group vs the normal BMI group (31.2% vs 16.6%). Individuals with obesity had a significantly higher risk of developing a new obesity-related comorbidity (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.35; P < .0001). < .0001). Musculoskeletal pain was the most prevalent comorbidity at baseline and the most frequent new comorbidity in both cohorts, with a higher incidence among those with obesity (244.6 vs 197.9 per 1000 person-years). Those with obesity developed their first comorbidity at a median of 0.67 years earlier than those with normal BMI ( P < .0001), with similarly significant accelerations in the onset of second and third comorbidities. IN PRACTICE: 'Early identification and effective interventions to manage obesity should be the focus for preventing [obesity-related comorbidities], with the overall goal of reducing the burden of disease and simplifying treatment approaches,' the study authors wrote. SOURCE: This study was led by Firas Dabbous, Evidera Inc., Wilmington, North Carolina, and published online in Clinical Obesity . LIMITATIONS: Most participants were White, women, and from the US Midwest, limiting generalizability. The 5-year follow-up may not capture potential comorbidities with longer latent periods, such as cancer. Inclusion of patients taking antiobesity medications may also complicate interpretation of the results. DISCLOSURES: This study received funding from Novo Nordisk Inc. Six authors are employees and shareholders of the funding agency, and one is a consultant. Three authors are employees of Evidera Inc., which received funding from Novo Nordisk Inc.
Medscape
12-06-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Pediatric HS Linked to Obesity, Acne, Other Comorbidities
A meta-analysis of 19 studies found that pediatric patients with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) show an increased rate of medical and psychiatric comorbidities, including obesity. METHODOLOGY: Researchers conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 19 observational studies (14 US studies), which included 17,267 pediatric patients with HS (76.7% girls; mean age, 12-17 years) and 8,259,944 pediatric patients without HS. The primary outcome was the prevalence of comorbidities in pediatric patients with HS. The main categories included metabolic, endocrinologic, inflammatory, psychiatric, dermatologic, and genetic comorbidities. TAKEAWAY: In the meta-analysis, the most prevalent condition in patients with HS was acne vulgaris (43%), followed by obesity (37%), anxiety (18%), and hirsutism (14%). Obesity showed moderate certainty association with HS in children, with prevalence ratios ranging up to 2.48, odds ratios ranging from 1.27 to 2.68, and hazard ratios up to 1.52 ( P < .001). < .001). Researchers also found a probable association between depression and HS (moderate certainty), with all studies reporting a higher incidence among patients with HS. An association with diabetes was reported in three studies (low certainty). IN PRACTICE: 'Given the significant risk of chronic comorbidities and negative sequelae in pediatric HS, our findings highlight a need for comprehensive comorbidity screening clinical guidelines in this population and emphasize the involvement of multidisciplinary teams to achieve this,' the study authors wrote. SOURCE: The study was led by Samiha T. Mohsen, MSc, University of Toronto, Toronto, and was published online on June 11 in JAMA Dermatology . LIMITATIONS: Several of the included studies were graded as low quality, and most studies did not compare the risks of comorbidities between the two groups. Most of the studies were from the US, which could limit generalizability. Significant heterogeneity was reported across the studies. DISCLOSURES: The funding source was not disclosed. Three authors reported receiving grants, personal fees, and honoraria from multiple pharmaceutical companies, including AbbVie, Novartis, UCB, Incyte, Novartis, Celltrion, Leo Pharma, Pfizer, Sanofi, and the Pediatric Dermatology Research Alliance. Other authors reported no conflicts of interest.
