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PubMed1978

Enteric infections in Singapore with special reference to typhoid.

A review of the epidemiological features of the more important enteric infections in Singapore was given. Enteric fevers (typhoid and paratyphoid), Salmonella gastroenteritis and Shigellosis remained endemic at a rather constant level in spite of vast improvement in environmental sanitation, but amoebic dysentery showed marked decline. Vibrio parahaemolyticus is an important cause of food poisoning since it was first reported in 1973. El tor cholera is believed to be introduced through regional trade and travel. Control measures directed mainly at typhoid include detection of typhoid carriers in the community responsible for transmission of infection, control and licensing of public food handlers and health education.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Flashlamp-pumped pulsed dye laser (585nm) for the treatment of portwine stains--a study of treatment outcome in 94 Asian patients in Singapore.

BACKGROUND: This is a report of a prospective study on the treatment outcome of 94 Asian skin Types III and IV patients with port-wine stains with the 585 nm flashlamp-pumped pulsed dye laser in Singapore. RESULTS: All patients had completed at least 1 year of follow-up post treatment and had received treatment at 8-12 weekly intervals under topical lodocaine-prilocaine anaesthesia. Our patients received an average of 4 treatments sessions. At the end of each treatment (8-12 weeks after the last laser treatment/before the next laser treatment) and on completion of the last treatment (8-12 weeks after the final laser treatment), patients were assessed for response based on a subjective scoring system where excellent = > 75% improvement, good = 50% to 75% improvement, fair = 25% to 49% improvement and poor = < 25% improvement and the same = no observable improvement. The dermatologist also recorded scores after each treatment in a similar way. On completion of the final treatment, patients were asked to score (8-12 weeks after the final laser treatment) the overall response to the treatment themselves using the same scoring system. The mean age was 26.4 years (range 1 year to 58 years). The mean initial treatment energy density dose was 6.24 J/cm2. Eighty percent of our patients experienced excellent or good response to treatment after the initial treatment and further improvements were observed with each subsequent treatment. RESULTS: The author scored 86% of our patients having "excellent" or "good" response while 83% of our patients scored "excellent" or "good" response upon completion of their treatment. The dermatologist generally recorded better improvement scores than the patients. The dermatologist scored 36% and 50% of our patients having "excellent" and "good" response respectively. The corresponding treatment response scores by our patients were 22% ("excellent") and 61% ("good"). CONCLUSION: Macular lesions appear to respond better than papular/nodular lesions, but the difference was not statistically significant probably due to the small study cohort. Light coloured port-wine stains tended to respond better to treatment than darker lesions (not statistically significant), but overall, all colour lesions responded well to treatment. Patients' expectation of improvements was generally higher than the dermatologist's.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Patient and disease characteristics, and outcome of treatment defaulters from the Singapore TB control unit--a one-year retrospective survey.

SETTING: The Singapore Tuberculosis Control Unit. OBJECTIVES: 1) To identify any demographic, social, disease or treatment-related characteristics which may be predictive of patients defaulting from treatment; 2) to assess the effectiveness of home visits as a means of defaulter recall; 3) to ascertain outcome in these patients. DESIGN: A retrospective, case-controlled study of TB treatment defaulters, defined as patients who missed their scheduled appointments and required a home visit to recall for treatment. Controls were randomly selected, non-defaulting patients who started treatment on the same dates as the defaulters. RESULTS: Forty-four patients required home visits in 1996. Compared to controls, defaulters were more likely to be non-Chinese, and to live on their own or with friends. There was no significant association of defaulting with age, sex, marital or employment status, disease characteristics, or treatment-related factors. Seventy per cent defaulted during the continuation phase of treatment. Home visits did not result in contact with the patient (or any other person) 41% of the time. Although 48% of the defaulters remained lost to follow-up at the time of the survey, all but one of the sputum-positive patients had bacteriologically converted by the time of default. CONCLUSION: Non-Chinese ethnicity and lack of family support were found to be factors strongly predictive of default. Age, sex, marital and employment status, treatment-related factors and disease characteristics were not significant in distinguishing those at risk for defaulting.

Case-Control Studies↗
PubMed2000

DNA testing for fragile X syndrome in 255 males from special schools in Singapore.

INTRODUCTION: Fragile X syndrome, the most common cause of inherited mental retardation, results from unstable expansion of a trinucleotide (CGG)n repeat in the FMR1 gene. Phenotypic expression is variable making clinical diagnosis difficult, while diagnosis by Southern blotting is relatively expensive and labour intensive. The prevalence in Singapore has not been studied. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We developed a rapid screening test using a PCR analysis. We studied 255 males with unexplained cause for learning difficulties from 8 special schools. A clinical scoring system based on characteristic features described was devised. RESULTS: PCR analysis showed absence of the band for the normal allele in 11 samples, 6 of which were confirmed by Southern blotting to be positive for FMR1 expansion, giving a 2% false-positive rate with PCR. Sensitivity of the PCR test was evaluated by performing Southern blotting in all PCR-normal samples; all of which were confirmed to be normal. This PCR test was shown to be highly reproducible. Clinical criteria were not predictive. CONCLUSIONS: Six (2.4%) new cases of fragile X syndrome were detected. There is a need to incorporate fragile X testing in routine screening of patients with developmental delay and learning difficulties. The use of PCR could eliminate the need for Southern blotting in up to 95% of cases. PCR analysis provides a simple, reliable and rapid tool for screening.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Bone mineral densities and hip axis lengths of normal Singapore women.

This study aims to evaluate the bone mineral densities and hip axis lengths of women in the local population. 227 normal Singapore women of ages 20 to 70 years had evaluation of their bone mineral densities (BMDs) by means of dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). The trend of BMDs at the left femoral neck and the lumbar spine remains fairly constant with increasing age until the 45-49 years age-band, beyond which there is a consistent decline. The mean hip axis length is 10.3 cm with a standard deviation of 0.6 cm. In general, the bone mineral densities in the femoral neck and lumbar spine as measured by DXA and the hip axis length of the local population is lower than corresponding figures reported in the Western population.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Clinical pathways--an evaluation of its impact on the quality of care in an acute care general hospital in Singapore.

A critical or clinical pathway defines the optimal care process, sequencing and timing of interventions by healthcare professionals for a particular diagnosis or procedure. It is a relatively new clinical process improvement tool that has been gaining popularity across hospitals and various healthcare organisations in many parts of the world. It is now slowly gaining momentum and popularity in Asia and Singapore. Clinical pathways are developed through collaborative efforts of clinicians, case managers, nurses, and other allied healthcare professionals with the aim of improving the quality of patient care, while minimising cost to the patient. Clinical pathways have been shown to reduce unnecessary variation in patient care, reduce delays in discharge through more efficient discharge planning, and improve the cost-effectiveness of clinical services. The approach and objectives of clinical pathways are consistent with those of total quality management (TQM) and continuous clinical quality improvement (CQI), and is essentially the application of these principles at the patient's bedside. However, despite the growing popularity of pathways, their impact on clinical outcomes and their clinical effectiveness remains largely untested and unproven through rigorous clinical trials. This paper begins with an overview of the nature of clinical pathways and the analysis of variances from the pathway, their benefits to the healthcare organisation, their application as a tool for CQI activities in direct relation to patient care, and their effectiveness in a variety of healthcare settings. The paper describes an evaluation of the impact of a clinical pathway on the quality of care for patients admitted for uncomplicated acute myocardial infarction (AMI) through an analysis of variances. The author carried out a one year evaluation of a clinical pathway on uncomplicated AMI in Changi General Hospital (CGH) to determine its effectiveness and impact on a defined set of outcomes. A before and after nonrandomized study of two groups of patients admitted to the Hospital for uncomplicated AMI was done. A total of 169 patients were managed on the clinical pathway compared to 100 patients in the control (historical comparison) group. Outcomes were compared between the two groups of patients. Restriction and matching of study subjects in both groups ensured that the patients selected were comparable in terms of severity of illness. The results showed that the patients on the clinical pathway and the comparison group were similar with respect to demographic variables, prevalence of risk factors and comorbidities. There was a statistically significant reduction in the average length of stay after implementation of the clinical pathway. This was achieved without any adverse effect on short term clinical outcomes such as in-hospital mortality, complication rate and morbidity. There were no significant difference in readmission rates at 6 months after discharge. The paper concludes that clinical pathways, implemented in the context of an acute care general hospital, is able to significantly improve care processes through better collaboration among healthcare professionals and improvements in work systems.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1999

Renal transplantation in cyclosporine-treated recipients at the Singapore General Hospital.

1. The 5-year patient and graft survival rates for live-donor renal transplants undergoing transplantation with CsA-based immunosuppression at the Singapore General Hospital from 1985-1999 were 97.0% and 91.6%, respectively. The 5-year patient and graft survival rates for cadaveric renal transplant recipients from the same institution were significantly lower at 91.6% and 79.4%, respectively. Long-term graft survival as described by half-lives (T1/2) were 28.6 years and 20.4 years for live-donor and cadaveric grafts, respectively. 2. Tissue matching had no impact on graft or patient survivals in either live-donor or cadaveric renal transplants. However, sensitisation was associated with significantly worse graft survival in cadaveric transplant recipients. 3. Primary cadaveric transplant recipients enjoyed significantly better graft survival rates than retransplanted recipients (5-year survival rates of 80.1% and 65.0%, respectively; p = 0.032). 4. Among cadaveric renal transplant recipients, a single acute rejection episode was associated with worse long-term graft survival (T1/2 of 14.6 years and 37.0 years for those with and without rejection, respectively, p = 0.001). Likewise, delayed graft function was associated with worse overall graft survival (5-year graft survival rates of 70.7% vs. 86.8% in patients with and without DGF, respectively, p < 0.001). 5. Among cadaveric transplant recipients with a functioning kidney at 5 years after transplantation, 61.4% had normal renal function with serum creatinine levels < 141 mumol/L while 33.9% had mild renal dysfunction with SCr of 141-250 mumol/L. 6. The high graft and patient survival rates in this Asian population as reported from this single centre study may be attributed to selection of younger patients without overt ischaemic heart disease for transplantation and to good patient compliance to CsA therapy. Thus, recipient selection and ensuring patient compliance to treatment are key strategies in optimizing the use of a scarce resource such as organ transplants.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Hard metal lung disease--the first case in Singapore.

INTRODUCTION: We report the first case of hard metal lung disease in Singapore and the occupational investigative work and control measures that were undertaken. CLINICAL PICTURE: A 38-year-old machinist in the tool manufacturing industry presented with exertional dyspnoea and cough. Chest X-ray revealed bilateral reticulonodular infiltrates with honeycombing. High resolution computed tomography scan of the thorax confirmed the presence of interstitial fibrosis. Open biopsy of the lung showed features of pneumoconiosis. Particle induced X-ray emission (PIXE) analysis, a relatively new elemental analysis technique, performed on the lung biopsy specimen confirmed the presence of tungsten and titanium; and he was diagnosed to have hard metal lung disease. Microbiologic, serologic and histologic investigations excluded an infective cause. Serial pulmonary function tests on follow-up showed no progression. He presented with haemoptysis 10 months later and was diagnosed to have tuberculosis on the basis of positive sputum and bronchoalveolar lavage cultures for Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. TREATMENT: Preventive measures and permanent transfer to non-cobalt work were instituted. OUTCOME: The interstitial fibrosis appears to have stabilised. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of hard metal lung disease must be considered in a worker exposed to cobalt presenting with interstitial fibrosis.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Vision screening of 4-year-old children in Singapore.

AIM OF THE STUDY: To evaluate the feasibility of an improved visual acuity screening program for Singapore 4-year-old preschool children and to draw up an appropriate referral criteria as well as evaluating the rates and outcomes of these referrals. METHOD: A total of 450 children aged 4 to 4 1/2 years, who attended 3 polyclinics of the Family Health Service (FHS) for their 4-year-old Developmental Health Screening during the study period from 1/4/1997 to 30/6/1997 were recruited for the study. Children who were tested with Snellen (or Sloan) visual acuity chart resulting in visual acuity of 6/9 or worse, or failed to pass the 3 mm medium plate at 30 cm distance (300 seconds of arc) in the Frisby Stereotest, or were found to have strabismus, or were untestable in either visual acuity test or stereotest were offered referral to ophthalmologists in the hospitals for specialist assessment. RESULT: 82.7% of the 450 children were successfully screened with Snellen (or Sloan) chart while 91.6% were successfully screened with Frisby Stereotest. In all, 180 children were evaluated by ophthalmologists. Majority of the children were referred because of their abnormal visual acuity test while only 2 children were referred for failing stereotest alone. Among the 180 children referred, 63 (35.0%) were found to have refractive errors for which spectacles were prescribed. Eight children had amblyopia and 2 children had strabismus which were not detected at the polyclinic screening. The untestable children evaluated had significantly higher abnormality rate (37.5%) than that of children who had 6/9 vision (8.8%) therefore they should be offered referral for further evaluation. There was high "refused referral" rate of 39.0%. Parents of children who were untestable or had 6/9 vision were found to be more likely to refuse offer of referral. If these two groups of children were excluded, the "refused referral" rate dropped to 13.3%. When the referral criteria for visual acuity was reset at 6/12 instead of 6/9, the referral rate dropped from 39.6% to a more manageable 26.7% and the positive predictive value improved from 35.4% to 48.3% and none of the children with amblyopia were missed being screened-out. CONCLUSION: The study confirmed the feasibility of doing visual acuity screening at 4 to 41/2 year-old. The referral criteria for abnormal visual acuity should be set at 6/12. The efficacy of adding Frisby stereotest needs further evaluation.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2000

Laparoscopic telesurgery between the United States and Singapore.

INTRODUCTION: Telemedicine is the use of electronic digital signals to transfer information from one site to another. With the advent of a telepresence operative system and development of remote robotic arms to hold and manoeuvre the laparoscope, telemedicine is finding its role in surgery, especially laparoscopic surgery. CLINICAL FEATURES AND TREATMENT: We report two successful cases of laparoscopic surgery--radical nephrectomy and varicocelectomy for a 3-cm renal tumour and for bilateral varicoceles causing pain, where a less experienced laparoscopic surgeon in Singapore was telementored by an experienced laparoscopic surgeon located remotely in the United States. Both patients recovered uneventfully and returned home on postoperative day 4 and on the day of surgery, respectively. OUTCOME: This study demonstrates that telementored laparoscopic systems are feasible and safe, between countries halfway across the world. CONCLUSIONS: As the Internet expands in utility and the cost of higher bandwidth telecommunication lines decreases, even to remote countries, telementoring systems will become more affordable and may potentially pave the way for advanced surgical and laparoscopic applications and training for the future.

Humans↗
PubMed1975

Oral contraceptive continuation rates in the Singapore National Program. 1966-1972.

A study of a random sample of 3,564 oral contraceptive acceptors in the Singapore national program clinics with a maximum of 60 months of experience produced findings as follows: The typical pill acceptor was aged 26.9 years with 2.5 children, married for 4.2 years, had at least primary education, was not working, and started on the pill 2.3 months after her last pregnancy. Thirty-three percent of the oral contraceptive acceptors were still continuing with the pill by the cutoff date for the study, 30 June 1972, and the median period of pill use among those still using was 33.6 cycles. The median number of cycles of pill use among discontinued users was only 5.2. The main reasons for discontinuation were side effects of the pill and planned pregnancy. For the discontinued users, 43 percent had used alternative methods of protection, mainly condoms. Cumulative continuation rates per thousand women were 792 after the first cycle, 680 after the third, and 475, 346, 247, and 225 after cycles 12, 24, 48, and 59, respectively.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

The views of mental health professionals towards psychotherapy--a Singapore survey.

OBJECTIVE: There is no published data on how mental health professionals (MHPs) in developing Asian countries view psychotherapy. Since practitioners of psychotherapy may come from both medical and non-medical (e.g. clinical psychology, social work, counselling) backgrounds, differences between the 2 groups may have practical significance. The aims of this study were to examine the views of MHPs in Singapore towards psychotherapy and to determine if there are differences in the views of psychiatric versus non-psychiatric professionals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fourteen statements covering various aspects of psychotherapy were given to a sizeable sample of MHPs consisting 70 psychiatric and 70 non-psychiatric professionals. Their responses on a 5-point Likert scale were analysed using appropriate statistical tests to determine similarities and differences of the 2 groups. RESULTS: Despite essential agreement in the definition of psychotherapy, significant differences exist between the 2 groups in the following areas: (1) distinction between psychotherapy and counselling, (2) use of medication during psychotherapy, (3) whether the duration of psychotherapy should be determined at the start of treatment, and (4) whether negative effects of psychotherapy exist. There was consensus that psychotherapy should be stopped when psychotic symptoms emerge in the course of such treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Significant similarities and differences exist in the views of psychiatrists and the other MHPs. The practical implications of these findings for psychotherapy training and the provision of psychotherapy services in Asia are discussed. Literature is reviewed to address the issues raised.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed2000

Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCAs) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease show no correlation with proteinase 3, lactoferrin, myeloperoxidase, elastase, cathepsin G and lysozyme: a Singapore study.

INTRODUCTION: The pathogenic importance of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCAs) in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is unclear and target antigen localisation studies may lend insight to the specific pathogenic mechanisms of IBD. In this pilot study, we looked at occurrence of ANCA in Asian IBD patients. In ANCA-positive samples, we analysed for the presence of target antigens i.e. proteinase 3, lactoferrin, myeloperoxidase, elastase, cathepsin G and lysozyme. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study was carried out from July 1997 to February 1998. Sera were screened for ANCAs with indirect immunofluorescent test and tested with an enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) kit which provides a semi-quantitative assay for human IgG autoantibodies against 6 antigens: proteinase 3, lactoferrin, myeloperoxidase, elastase, cathepsin G and lysozyme. RESULTS: A total of 75 patients were studied: 50 with IBD and 25 controls with functional bowel disease. Ten had Crohn's disease (CD) and 40 had ulcerative colitis (UC). There was no racial predilection among the Chinese, Malays or Indians. In CD, 1 was positive for cytoplasmic ANCA (cANCA) and 2 for perinuclear ANCA (pANCA). In UC, 4 were positive for pANCA, 15 for atypical perinuclear ANCA (apANCA) and 1 for cANCA. In the CD and UC population, the proportion positive for ANCA was 30% and 50%, respectively. There was no ANCA detected among the controls. Of those ANCA-positive IBD patients (n:23), only 1 demonstrated anti-myeloperoxidase antibodies. No antibodies were detected against the other 5 antigens tested. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot Singapore study concludes that there is no significant ANCA association with proteinase 3, lactoferrin, myeloperoxidase, elastase, cathepsin G and lysozyme.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Cross-sectional study of near-work and myopia in kindergarten children in Singapore.

INTRODUCTION: In view of the high and increasing myopia rates amongst young Singaporean children, we aimed to assess the relationship between near-work and myopia in 414 pre-school children aged 4 to 6 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We measured near-work indices such as tuition classes outside school and other possible risk factors via a questionnaire. We then measured myopia with a hand-held autorefractor. RESULTS: Children who had 3 or more hours per week of near-work classes outside school had a higher rate [odds ratio 1.39 (95% confidence interval 1.02, 2.53)] of myopia. CONCLUSIONS: This suggests that there may be an association between near-work and myopia, even at such a young age. Given the increasing emphasis on near-work in Singapore, it may be important to call for increased visual health awareness, although further studies will be needed to establish if near-work causes myopia.

Age Distribution↗
PubMed2000

Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in peptic ulcer disease in a Singapore hospital.

INTRODUCTION: High Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) prevalence is well documented among peptic ulcer patients. However, there have been recent reports of declining H. pylori infection rates in developed countries. Based on previous local data in a different hospital, H. pylori prevalence was 66% in gastric ulcer, 86% in duodenal ulcer and 75% in combined gastric and duodenal ulcers. Our present study aims to review the recent H. pylori prevalence in peptic ulcer patients in a Singapore hospital. H. pylori infection rate in relation to sex, age, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use and race were also examined. METHODS: Over a 6-month period, patients diagnosed with peptic ulcer by oesophagogastroduodenoscopy were selected. Relevant information was obtained from case notes retrieved from the Medical Records Office. H. pylori status was assessed by rapid urease test (CLOtest) and/or histology. Exclusion criteria were(1) history of peptic ulcer(2), active bleeding(3), cancer or(4) recent use of antibiotics or proton pump inhibitors. RESULTS: 107 peptic ulcer patients were selected; 53 gastric ulcer, 47 duodenal ulcer and 7 with combined gastric and duodenal ulcers. Overall H. pylori prevalence was 67.9%(36/53), 85.1%(40/47) and 85.7%(6/7) respectively. Except for the gender variable in gastric ulcer group, age, race and NSAID use was not found to influence H. pylori prevalence. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of H. pylori among our peptic ulcer patients is slightly lower compared to overseas studies but the local trend,when compared indirectly to another previous local study did not appear to have changed much. Reasons for the lower H. pylori infection rate in comparison to overseas studies are discussed. The lower H. pylori prevalence among female gastric ulcer patients may be due to the higher prevalence of NSAID use.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

A randomised trial of amoxycillin versus clarithromycin in combination with omeprazole for eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection in Singapore.

Dual therapy has been reported to produce H.pylori eradication rate of 75-80%. This study is designed to determine the efficacy of omeprazole 20 mg bd in combination with amoxycillin 500 mg tid (Group A), amoxycillin 750 mg tds (Group B) and clarithromycin 500 mg tid (Group C) in Singapore. One hundred and forty-eight patients with H. pylori positive duodenal ulcers between ages of 22 and 69 were enrolled from two centres. There were 48 patients in Group A, 50 patients in Group B and 50 patients in Group C. The medication was given for 14 days. The patients were re-evaluated with an upper GI endoscope 4 weeks after cessation of treatment Successful eradication was defined as H.pylori negative on histology and culture. Based on intention to treat analysis, the eradication rate was 47.8% in Group A, 68% in Group B and 66% in Group C. The difference between GroupA and B were statistically significant (p = 0.04). Based on all patient treated analysis, the eradication rate was 57.5% in Group A, 70.7% in Group B and 75% in Group C. The difference in eradication rates was not statistically significant. Adverse events were reported in 21% of all patients with no difference in the adverse event rate between all groups. The eradication rate achieved with dual therapy in this study was similar to that attained in Western population. Higher dose amoxycillin regime gives a significantly higher eradication than a lower dose amoxycillin.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

A stair-climb test of cardiorespiratory fitness for Singapore.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to develop a stair-climb test of cardiorespiratory fitness for adult Singaporeans, particularly those staying in Singapore Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats. METHOD: 103 subjects [56 males, of mean (SD) age 44.8 (13.9) years and Body Mass Index, or BMI, 23.3 (3.2); and 47 females, of age 43.2 (12.9) years and BMI 21.9 (2.8)] were first assessed for their cardiorespiratory fitness, measured using maximal oxygen uptake (or VO2max) on a treadmill, before undergoing a stair-climb test up to the 12th storey (11 floors) of a typical HDB flat (180 steps, vertical height 27.0 metres). RESULTS: The mean (SD) time taken for the climb (CT) and heart rate at the end of the climb (HRend) averaged 111.3 (16) seconds and 154.4 (13.4) beats.min-1 respectively for males, and 121.0 (18.1) seconds and 164.6 (15.7) beats.min-1 respectively for females. Regression equations were developed to predict VO2max from age (years), BMI, CT (seconds), HRend (beats.min-1): For males: VO2max (ml.kg-1.min-1) = 133 - 0.273 (Age) - 0.672 (BMI) - 0.236 (CT) - 0.232 (HRend). For females: VO2max (ml.kg-1.min-1) = 66.69 - 0.135 (Age) - 0.249 (BMI) - 0.128 (CT) - 0.021 (HRend). Validation of the regression equations conducted on a different sample consisting of 18 subjects (11 male and 7 female) showed significant correlations between the predicted and directly measured VO2max (males, r = 0.81 and females, r = 0.90; p < 0.01). There were no significant differences between the means of predicted and directly measured VO2max. CONCLUSION: A stair-climb test using HDB stairs was developed which was able to estimate cardiorespiratory fitness with reasonable accuracy.

Adult↗