Patient-Reported Outcome Measures Among Breast Cancer Survivors in Malaysia: A Comparative Study With Patients From High-Income Countries

Background: Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are essential for identifying how patients perceive the outcomes of their cancer treatment, and is the ultimate success of cancer care. Although a growing number of studies have focused on PROMs in high income countries (HICs), outcomes relevant to patients in developing countries are less understood. Furthermore, the lack of standardization in PROMs makes it difficult to interpret these data for research or quality monitoring. Aim: In this study, we compared the results of PROM measures between patients in Malaysia, a middle income country, and those in HICs, using standard PROMs questionnaires. We also explored the differences in perceived importance of patient reported outcomes within the multiracial Malaysian cohort. Methods: Breast cancer patients (n=1063) were recruited in hospitals serving suburban areas of Malaysia. Of these, 969 patients were eligible for analysis. The surveys were conducted through face-to-face interviews (68%) or were self-administered (30%). An outcome was considered important if it was scored between 7-9 on a 9-point Likert scale. We compared PROMs scores between Malaysian patients and data previously collected from patients in HICs using logistic regression models, adjusting for demographic and clinical characteristics. A two-step cluster analysis was conducted to explore differences in the perceived importance of PROMs between clusters of Malaysian patients. Results: Compared with 1777 patients from HICs, Malaysian patients were less likely to rate overall and recurrence free survival, as well as emotional, cognitive, social and sexual functioning as very important outcomes. Interestingly, more Malaysian women reported that pain (50% vs. 39%), breast symptoms (51% vs. 35%), and major complications (60% vs. 44%) were very important outcomes ( P < 0.001). Compared with young, married Malaysian women, the cluster of older married women (mean age of 57 vs. 52), who were less likely to have received breast reconstructive surgery (8.6% vs. 16.8%), was more likely to rate sexual functioning (32.8% vs. 25.0%, P = 0.036), body image (63.9% vs. 42.4%, P < 0.001), and satisfaction with the breast (50.7% vs. 37.0%, P = 0.011) as very important outcomes. Conclusion: The differences in breast cancer patient needs between and within populations should be considered carefully to better clinician-patient relationship, patient care and satisfaction and assess the outcomes of our cancer care. Future research is needed to find suitable targeted interventions to identify and address the diverse needs of breast cancer patients in low and middle income countries.

Linguistic and Psychometric Validity of the Malay BREAST-Q in Women Undergoing Breast Cancer Surgery in Malaysia

Background: BREAST-Q is a PROMs used to measure and assess patient satisfaction and quality of life before and after breast cancer surgery. BREAST-Q composed of 5 different modules and each module comprised of multiple scales. Each module has preoperative and postoperative versions to assess the impact of surgery. Four subscales with common items from the 5 modules: “satisfaction with the breast”, psychosocial, sexual and physical well-being were subjected to testing. Two other subscales, “satisfaction with overall outcomes” and “satisfaction with the care” were only validated linguistically. Currently, the BREAST-Q has already been translated into 25 languages. Linguistic and psychometric validation of BREAST-Q has not been performed in Malaysia. Aim: To translate the BREAST-Q into Malay language and perform psychometric validation. Methods: Translation of the English BREAST-Q to Malay language was done based on linguistic validation protocol provided by MAPI Research Trust. Content and face validation were performed to determine contextual accuracy, acceptability and understanding of the items. The finalised Malay BREAST-Q then underwent psychometric testing. Breast cancer patients (n=186) who were planned for breast cancer surgery were conveniently sampled at the breast clinic of UMMC between June 2015 to June 2016. Consented participants completed the questionnaire in the same visit following their diagnosis. Retest was done 2-3 weeks after the first questionnaire administration in 62 patients who were admitted for their surgery. Data were analyzed using SPSS and AMOS software. Results: Content experts (4 breast surgeons) agreed the items in BREAST-Q comprehensively measured the concept of interest and I-CVI for each item was 1.0. Participants agreed the questionnaire was comprehensive and easy to understand. The average time taken to complete the questionnaire was 15.3 minutes. Test–retest analysis showed good reproducibility with intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) value of 0.71-0.98. Internal consistencies were good for all items in each subscale with Cronbach's alpha values of 0.83-0.95. The highest interitem correlation for each item with at least one other item in the construct ranged from 0.47 to 0.90. The lowest corrected item-total correlation (CITC) values ranged from 0.47 to 0.72. In exploratory factor analysis, the KMO values were excellent in all 4 subscales (0.76, 0.92, 0.91, and 0.86). Single factor was extracted in 3 subscales that explained more than 50% of the variance and 3 factors (breast pain, general pain, and discomfort) were extracted in “physical well-being” subscale that cumulatively explained more than 50% of the variance. Conclusion: The Malay BREAST-Q demonstrated good reliability, content and face validity, and excellent psychometric properties. Hence, we propose the use of the Malay BREAST-Q to measure patient reported outcomes among breast cancer patients in Malaysia undergoing breast cancer surgery.

Multiple ambler class A ESBL genes among Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates in a Malaysian district hospital

Detailed reports regarding the distribution and activity of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates are currently not widely available in the Malaysian setting. This study was conducted to determine the ESBL genes distribution rate, phenotypic detection, and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns among betalactam resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from a Malaysian district hospital. K. pneumoniae isolates were collected from a microbiology laboratory at Hospital Pakar Sultanah Fatimah, Malaysia. Following exclusion and inclusion criteria, 141 isolates were selected for this study. K. pneumoniae was identified by phenotypic method, whilst antibiotics' susceptibility patterns were determined by the Kirby-Bauer method, as described in Clinical Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI) guidelines (Oxoid, UK; Becton-Dickenson, USA). Detection of Ambler Group A ESBL gene (bla_SHV, bla_TEM, bla_CTX-M-1, bla_CTX-M-2, bla_CTX-M-8, bla_CTX-M-9, and bla_CTX-M-25) was done using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). ESBL genes were found in 85.8% of K. pneumoniae (121 of 141) isolates. Only bla_SHV, bla_TEM, bla_CTX-M-1, and bla_CTX-M-9 were detected among K. pneumoniae isolates with distribution rates of 75.2% (106 of 141), 41.1% (58 of 141), 44% (62 of 141), and 0.7% (1 of 141), respectively. There was no bla_CTX-M-2, bla_CTX-M-8, or bla_CTX-M-25 detected from any isolates in this study. Sequencing of representative amplicons revealed bla_SHV as SHV-12, bla_TEM as TEM-1, bla_CTX-M-1 as CTX-M-15, and bla_CTX-M-9 as CTX-M-18. The phenotypic detection rate of ESBL was 71.6% (101 of 141), whilst 9.2% (13 of 141) were positive for carbapenemase. AmpC betalactamase was detected in 22% (31 of 141) of all isolates. Antibiotic resistance was between 44.6% (netilmicin) and 97.2% (cefotaxime). Based on ESBL genes distribution, blaSHV was a predominant gene found in one of Malaysian district hospitals, notwithstanding having bla_TEM, bla_CTX-M-1, and bla_CTX-M-9. Despite carrying multiple ESBL genes, some strains were positive for carbapenemase or AmpC betalactamase, which resulted in high antimicrobial resistance rates.

Evaluation of PCR-based approach for serotype determination of Streptococcus pneumoniae

Determination of Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes is essential for epidemiological surveillance. Therefore accurate, reliable and cost effective serotyping method is crucial. In this study, we determined the serotypes of 41 pneumococcal isolates recovered from human anterior nares by multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) utilizing published primers. The data was then compared with conventional serology using latex agglutination (LA) and the Quellung reaction. Based on the PCR-approach, 8 different serogroups/serotypes were detected with one isolate classified as non-typeable (cpsA-negative). In reference to the serology-based data, the results were in agreement except for one isolate. For the latter isolate, the LA and Quellung tests failed to show a reaction but the PCR-approach and sequencing identified the isolate as serogroup 15B/C. Based on this experimental setting, we found that the PCR-approach for pneumococcal serotypes determination is reliable to serve as the alternative for determining the pneumococcal serotyping.

Testicular relapse in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in Malaysia, 1967-82

From 1967-82, 9 children with testicular relapse (TR) of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) were diagnosed out of 99 boys treated, an incidence of 9.1%. The median time from the onset of ALL until diagnosis was 28 months (range 3-41 months). All were asymptomatic; six were detected on routine examination while three were diagnosed only on biopsy. Routine biopsy prior to stopping chemotherapy is useful in detecting occult TR. Biopsies should be done on both the testes regardless of the clinical findings. The age, leucocyte count and hepatosplenomegaly at diagnosis of ALL were not found to be significant factors in influencing relapse. Eight children were in bone marrow remission at the time of TR, but three had preceding or concurrent meningeal leukaemia while in the other five the testis was the first and only site of relapse. Radiotherapy was effective in local disease control but failed to prevent bone marrow relapse in all except two patients despite continuation of chemotherapy. The median time from onset of TR until bone marrow relapse was 7 months (range 3-13 months) and the median time until death, was 11 months (range 6-18 months). The frequency of testicular relapse may be related to the intensity of either the initial induction therapy or the consolidation chemotherapy. Further studies are required to determine whether the incidence of testicular relapse will decline with more intensive early treatment.