Clinical trials

Vitamin D plays a significant part calcium and phosphate haemostasis, thus, intrinsically critical for bone health. Increasing evidence also reveal that insufficient serum vitamin D levels also result in poor muscle health with such individuals having a compromised muscle building potential (4 times slower muscle building). Muscle health is a critical component of a post-surgical patient recovery, with impaired muscle function leading to reduced functional ability, resulting in a poorer quality of life. Poor muscle health also has negative repercussion on survivability, with reduced overall, and disease-specific survival, especially shown in cancer patients. Thus, maintenance of vitamin D levels post-surgery may be more critical than previously thought.

Background: Removal of adenomatous polyps during colonoscopy is associated with long-term prevention of colorectal cancer-related deaths. Recently, there have been much interest in the use of artificial intelligence (AI) platforms to augment the routine endoscopic assessment of the colon to enhance adenoma detection rate (ADR). To date, computer assisted detection of polyps (CADe) have been shown to be safe, with a significant increase in ADR, without any concomitant increase in post-procedural complications. Aims: The investigators aim to evaluate the use of GI GeniusTM Intelligent Endoscopy Module in a multi-ethnic Asian population (Singapore) to increase in ADR and adenoma detected per colonoscopy (ADPC)to justify its effectiveness as an adjunct in polyp detection and training for colonoscopy. Methods: This study will be a single-institution cohort study, conducted over a 2-year period. Sengkang General Hospital (SKH) does an estimated 12,500 colonoscopies per year, with an average of 1,040 colonoscopies performed every month. Thus, given the case volume, the investigators expect to detect differences in ADR amongst endoscopists if any during this study period. As part of the subgroup analysis, the investigators also aim to compare the ADR rates of trainee endoscopists with and without the GI GeniusTM Intelligent Endoscopy Module to ascertain its utility as an education tool/training adjunct

The goal of this intervention study is to screen and identify frailty and decline in intrinsic capacity (physical and mental capacities) in community-dwelling older adults in Singapore, and to evaluate whether early identification and targeted interventions can improve health outcomes and support healthy ageing. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Can combined frailty and intrinsic capacity screening with targeted interventions prevent or reduce functional decline in older adults, as measured by changes in life space mobility? * Will at least 80% of screened older adults adhere to recommended care pathways and interventions? * Can this screening and intervention programme demonstrate sustainability through continued community participation and recruitment of new partner organizations beyond the initial implementation phase? The investigators will compare an intervention group (receiving immediate assessment and clinical referrals based on identified needs) to a wait-list control group (receiving the same interventions 12 months later) to see if early intervention leads to better health outcomes and quality of life. Participants will: * Attend 4 study visits over 2 years (at 6-monthly intervals in the first year, with final assessment at end of year 2), each lasting up to 2 hours. * Undergo comprehensive screening assessments including mobility, cognition, mental health, hearing, vision, and nutritional status. * Receive 2 follow-up phone calls at 3-month and 9-month intervals to monitor progress. * If in the intervention group: receive personalized referrals for further care (which may include comprehensive geriatric assessment, primary care reviews, rehabilitation, or dietitian consultations) and guidance on using a mobile health monitoring application. * If in the wait-list control group: receive the same interventions after their 3rd study visit (12 months later).

The goal of this pilot clinical trial is to learn if personalized audio-recorded reorientation messages can be successfully implemented in general hospital wards for elderly patients after hip fracture surgery. It will also explore whether this intervention might help prevent confusion (delirium) after surgery. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Can the intervention be successfully delivered by nursing staff in a busy orthopedic ward? * How many eligible patients can be recruited and retained in the study? * Do patients tolerate listening to the personalized audio messages without problems? * Does listening to personalized audio messages show any early signs of reducing confusion after surgery? Researchers will compare patients who receive personalized audio messages to those who receive usual care to see if the intervention is feasible to implement and whether it shows promise for preventing delirium. Participants will: * Listen to 2-minute personalized audio-recorded reorientation messages played through an iPad and headphones three times daily for the first 3 days after surgery * Have their orientation and mental status checked daily for three times by nursing staff * Continue with all their regular medical care and treatments * Be monitored until discharge from the study wards.

The investigators are conducting a prospective study to evaluate the SKH@Home programme, a post-discharge monitoring initiative for surgical patients. The aim of this study is to conduct a pragmatic, non-randomized pilot study to compare the SKH@Home programme with standard post-surgical care on patient outcomes.

This is a cohort study to understand the role of the human metagenome, and associated metabolites, in health and in various diseased states, in particular obesity as well as sarcopenia. Recruited participants will have their fecal, salivary, urine, serum, and in certain instances, mucosal samples taken, for metagenomic sequencing and metabolite testing. We hope to uncover various differences and signatures in the metagenome and metabolome in various diseased states, with potential future therapeutic applications in personalised medicine.

Introduction Diabetes is a global emergency with detrimental clinical and financial consequences. Poorly managed diabetes leads to a myriad of serious complications, especially cardiovascular and infectious complications, with consequent increased cost and mortality rate. For Muslims in particular, the annual fasting month of Ramadan is one such period when diabetes control is essential. Adequate adjustments in diabetes management need to be made in line with the allowed mealtimes to avoid the risk of diabetes complications during Ramadan. Objective Investigators aim to investigate the effectiveness of Ramadan-focused structured diabetes tele-education to reduce diabetes complications during Ramadan fasting for Muslims with diabetes in South East Asia. Methodology In a parallel group randomized controlled trial, investigators aim to recruit 300 adults with diabetes who are able to fast at least 15 days in Ramadan. You will be randomized to the intervention group comprising of a Ramadan-focused structured diabetes tele-education and control group receiving standard care. You will be reviewed again after Ramadan. The primary outcome is the incidence of hypoglycemia in Ramadan. The secondary outcomes are incidence of other diabetes complications in Ramadan episodes including hyperglycemia, episodes of acute infections, attendances in clinic and emergency department, hospital admissions, and compliance to recommendations for diabetes management during Ramadan. Clinical Significance The study enables investigators to evaluate Ramadan-focused structured diabetes tele-education to reduce the risk of diabetes complications for a large population during the fasting month.

Background: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is one of the commonest bariatric procedures. However, it is associated with postoperative gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and erosive esophagitis (EE). The investigators' preliminary study suggests that the incidence of postoperative GERD and EE appears to be correlated with the preoperative presence of a lax gastroesophageal flap valve and hiatal hernia. Hypothesis/ Aim: To investigate the impact of a concomitant hiatal hernia repair with LSG on the incidence of postoperative EE. Significance: For patients with pre-existing EE, most surgeons will recommend a laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) as their primary bariatric procedure. However, compared to LSG, LRYGB is a technically more demanding procedure with increased morbidity and long term nutritional deficiencies. For asymptomatic patients at risk of postoperative EE due to presence of a hiatal hernia, there is still no consensus on the most appropriate bariatric surgical option. A LSG with a concomitant hiatal hernia repair, if shown to reduce EE postoperatively, may help to expand the pool of patients suitable for LSG in the future. Methods: A two center, double-blinded, randomized controlled trial of all patients, undergoing LSG with a preoperative diagnosis of a Hill's grade III gastroesophageal junction, will be randomized to having a concomitant hiatal hernia repair (experimental arm) versus just LSG alone (control arm). Primary outcome measures include 1-year postoperative EE on endoscopy. Secondary outcome measures include postoperative morbidity, blood loss, quality of life and GERD symptoms at 1-year postoperatively.