MMJ
Volume 21 • Supplement • November 2009
Malta Medical Journal
Malta Medical Journal
7th Malta Medical School Conference
Volume 21 • Supplement • November 2009
5-7 November 2009
University of Malta Medical School
Mater Dei Hospital, Msida, Malta
Email: mmj - editor@um.edu.mt
www.mmj - web.org
Organising Committee
Co-ordinated, compiled and edited by:
Prof C. Mallia
Prof A. Xuereb
Prof L. Azzopardi
Dr B. Ellul
Dr T. Piscopo
Malta Medical Journal
ISSN 1813 - 3339
© MMJ 2009
All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system, or transmitted in any form or by other means, electronic, mechanical,
photocopying, recording or otherwise without prior permission, in writing,
of the MMJ Editorial Board.
All articles published in the Malta Medical Journal, including editorials, represent the
opinion of the authors and do not reflect the official policy of the University of Malta or the
institution with which the author is affiliated, unless this is clearly specified. The appearance
of advertising in the Journal is not a guarantee or endorsement of the product or the claims
for the product by the manufacturer. The Editorial Board disclaims any responsibility or
liability for non - compliance of advertising artwork to Regulatory Units.
Chairman Prof C. Mallia
Vice-Chairperson Prof A. Xuereb
Treasurer Dr R. Galea
IT Coordinators Dr T. Piscopo, Dr R. Pullicino
Members
Prof L. Azzopardi, Mr K. Cassar, Dr B. Ellul, Prof A. Felice,
Dr P. Ferry, Dr M. Sammut, Dr A. Grech, Dr J. Mamo
Secretary Ms E. Buttigieg
Scientific Committee
Chairman Prof C. Mallia
Co-Chairperson Dr B. Ellul
Members
Prof L. Azzopardi, Prof M. Brincat, Prof J. Cacciottolo,
Prof G. Laferla, Prof C. Savona Ventura, Prof J. Vassallo,
Dr J. Mifsud, Dr M. Cassar, Dr B. Coleiro
Secretary Ms E. Buttigieg
Audiovisual Support
C. Borg Galea
Conference Coordinator
Intertravel - destination management
Published by: Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta
Webdesign and hosting
Websigns2000
Design and Production: www.outlook.coop
Contents
Front Cover
Logo of the 7th Malta Medical School Conference
The conference logo features the seal of the Malta Medical School,
commemorating the founding of the Medical School (as the School of
Anatomy) in 1676. The obverse, as depicted, shows the cotton plant (in
reference to the founder of the School, Grand Master Nicholas Cottoner,
along with the two serpents, traditionally a symbol of medicine. The
inscription reads ‘SCHOLA ANATOMIAE AC CHIRURGIAE CONDITA
MDCLXXVI, meaning ‘School of Anatomy and Surgery - Founded 1676’.
Malta Medical Journal Volume 21 Supplement November 2009
Lists of Participants & Sponsors
2
Foreword by Conference Chairman
3
Welcome by the Dean
5
Guest Speakers
6
Scientific Programme
7
Parallel Sessions
8
Detailed Scientific Programme
9
Oral Presentations: Abstracts
20
Poster Presentations: Abstracts
69
1
The Organizing Committee sincerely thanks
the following sponsors for their support:
Major Sponsors
Gioelleria Zampa
United Automobile
Vodafone Foundation
The Dean, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery
Sponsors for Guest Speakers
Mater Dei Hospital (Dr Sandy Gupta)
Department of Geriatric Medicine (Prof Marion McMurdo)
Department of Health Care Services (Prof Dame Carol Black)
Department of Health Resources and Sustainability (Prof Walter Ricciardi)
Medical Association of Malta (Prof Andrea Pietrabissa)
European Social Fund/Medical Association of Malta:
Prof David Sowden
Prof Marion Helme
Dr Robert Stevenson
Dr Hans Hjelmqvist
Named Lectures
Arrigo Lecture (2009)
Prof Michael Camilleri
British Medical Association Dr Johann de Bono
(Malta Branch)
Exhibitors
Abbott
Pharma - Cos
Actavis
Pfizer
Janssen Cilag
Servier
MSD
Sanofi Aventis
Novartis
Wyeth
Official Conference Airline
AirMalta
Prizes
Conference Prize for Best Oral Presentation Conference Organizing Committee
Best oral presentation in Obstetrics and Gynaecology Malta College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Best poster in Obstetrics and Gynaecology Malta College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Conference Prize for Best Poster Presentation
Conference Organizing Committee
Best contribution in Surgery
Association of Surgeons of Malta
Best Contribution in Pharmacy
Department of Pharmacy, University of Malta
2
Malta Medical Journal Volume 21 Supplement November 2009
Foreword
On behalf of the Organizing Committee I wish to extend a very
warm welcome to all those participating in the 7th Malta Medical
School Conference. This year marks the 20th year since the First
Malta Medical School Conference was held, under the direction of
Professor Frederick Fenech and Dr. Joseph L. Pace, who were then
the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery and Chairman
of the Postgraduate Medical Committee respectively. The success
of the conference surpassed all expectations with such gratifying
comments as ‘…the scientific programme reached a very high degree
of excellence…’ by the late Dr. John Richmond, then President of the
Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, who was present for the
meeting. The Conference has been held regularly every three years
and has maintained its success and popularity thanks to the hard
work of several people. My Committee felt that it was appropriate
to acknowledge the contribution to the Conference of the previous
Deans of the Faculty as well as the previous Chairmen of the
Medical School Conference by presenting them with a memento at
the opening ceremony. Quite appropriately this ceremony is being
held in the historical Aula Magna at the Old University Campus
in Valletta
The Conference follows the same lines as the previous ones - it
is multidisciplinary including as wide a spectrum of the medical
specialities as possible. For the first time we are devoting a session
each to Family Medicine and the Allied Health Professions. Because
of the popularity of the plenary talks, the committee decided to
increase the number to thirteen. Of these, five are by Maltese
doctors working abroad - some are well established and others
who are making a good name for themselves at an early stage
in their career. Two named lectures will be delivered during the
conference: the BMA (Malta Branch) Lecture will be delivered by Dr
Johann De Bono, while the Ralph Arrigo Lecture will be delivered
by Prof Michael Camilleri. The Ralph Arrigo Lecture has become
a regular feature of this conference, since it started at the Third
Maltese Medical School Conference in 1995. This is the second
time that it is being delivered by a Maltese graduate, the first one
having been Sir Alfred Cuschieri in 1999. I would also like to thank
our distinguished foreign guests for finding time in their very busy
schedules and accepting to participate in the conference. To those
who have already been to Malta I say ‘Welcome back’; to those who
are visiting for the first time I hope that this will be the first of several
visits to Malta. I hope that during the conference you will also be
able to discover some of the attractions of our country.
The effects of the current global recession have had a major
negative impact on conference sponsorship which has been
significantly less than in previous editions. It is sad to note that
several traditional sponsors have backed out and the number of
pharmaceutical firms taking exhibiting stands has dropped by
about a half. We are extremely grateful to all those firms who,
despite current difficulties, still decided to support us. I would
like to thank them all. I wish to mention, in particular our major
sponsors - United Automobile, Vodafone Foundation and Sergio
Malta Medical Journal Volume 21 Supplement November 2009
Zampa Jewellers, as well as Air Malta, once again the official
conference airline, and all the firms and departments who sponsored
the plenary speakers. I wish to make special mention of Mr Remo
Mifsud, medical representative for Servier, whose recent unexpected
death shocked us all. An exceptionally kind and pleasant man he
was always there to help and encourage - he was one of the first to
offer his support for this conference.
The success or otherwise of any conference depends on its
scientific content and we hope that the oral presentations and
posters will complement the plenary lectures. We have had an
exceptional response to our call for abstracts for the conference,
having received just over 450 abstracts, the highest number so far
to be submitted to any Malta Medical School Conference. Such
a massive response is very gratifying and attests to the growing
popularity of the Conference. At the same time it has made the task
of adjudicating the abstracts extremely difficult. Requests for oral
presentations were three times as many as could be accommodated.
We have done our best to produce a programme to attract all
participants. Posters have been allotted a more prominent place
in the conference, and senior clinicians and academicians will be
available to discuss the posters during the two hour long poster
sessions. During this conference we are holding a symposium on
Medical Education. Aspects relating the quality of postgraduate
education, accreditation standards and inter - professional training
will be discussed by four eminent speakers. I am sure there will be
a lot to learn from this symposium. We have an important duty to
ensure the continued success that our Medical School has achieved
over the past three centuries since its foundation by Grand Master
Cottoner. We can only achieve this by being able to address the
difficult and ever - changing challenges posed by the complex
needs of modern medical education and training. I wish to thank
the Medical Association of Malta for providing funds from the
European social fund to sponsor the speakers taking part in this
symposium.
I wish to thank all my colleagues who formed part of the
Organizing Committee for all their work and support, as well as
Ms Estelle Buttigieg, Conference Secretary, other supporting staff
at the Medical School, as well as many other individuals for their
commitment and their patience including Charles Borg Galea,
Hilary Caruana, Michela Serra and Afton Bugeja. A special word
of thanks goes to the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery
for his constant support and encouragement. To all participants
and registrants I wish you a pleasant and educational time at the
Conference.
Professor Carmel Mallia
MD, FRCP (Lond), FRCP (Ed), KM
Chairman, Organizing and Scientific Committees
3
Welcome from the Dean
It is a matter of privilege for me to welcome all participants
to the Seventh Malta Medical School Conference.
The University of Malta Medical School moved from St Luke’s
Hospital to Mater Dei Hospital in November 2007. Whilst St
Luke’s holds nostalgic memories for most of us, the adventure of
working and learning in the Mater Dei environment is a challenge
not to be missed. As can be seen from the varied programme,
the move has not in any way affected the academic nature of the
papers submitted locally.
A special warm welcome to our international guests. Their
expertise in a large variety of fields benefits the local Medical
community, who, given the geographic restrictions that our tiny
island imposes, take every opportunity to exchange the skills
and ideas through the wide spectrum of medical and surgical
specialties that this Conference has brought together.
Such an event would not be possible without the professional
and unstinting input by all the members of the Organising
Committee who have worked long and hard to ensure a successful
outcome.
Thanks must also go to the sponsors without whose support
such a Conference would not have been possible, as well as to all
the Medical community without whose loyalty such events would
not be possible.
On behalf of the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, I thank
them all. I wish the Seventh Malta Medical School Conference
every success.
Prof Godfrey LaFerla
PhD, MD, MRCS, LRCP, FRCS (Ed.), FRCSRCPS (Glas.), FRCS (Eng.)
Dean, Faculty of Medicine & Surgery
Malta Medical Journal Volume 21 Supplement November 2009
5
Guest Speakers
Dr Connie Bezzina
Associate Professor, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam,
The Netherlands
Professor Dame Carol Black
Director for Health and Work, United Kingdom; Past
President, Royal College of Physicians of London
(Sponsored by the Department of Health Care Services)
Professor Nick Phin
Head, Influenza Unit, Health Protection Agency, London.
Professor Michael Camilleri
Professor of Medicine and Physiology, Mayo Clinic,
Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
(Arrigo Lecturer 2009)
Professor Andrea Pietrabissa
Associate Professor, Department of Oncology, Transplants
and New Technologies in Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy. (Sponsored by the Association of Surgeons of Malta)
Dr Joseph Coleiro
Consultant Ophthalmologist, Ninewells Hospital and
Medical School, Dundee, Scotland, United Kingdom.
Professor Walter Ricciardi
Professor, Institute of Hygiene, Catholic University
of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
(Sponsored by the Department of Health Resources
and Sustainability)
Dr Johann de Bono
Consultant Medical Oncologist, Royal Marsden Hospital and
Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
(BMA Malta Branch Lecturer 2009)
Dr Sandy Gupta
Consultant Cardiologist, Whipps Cross and St
Bartholomew’s Hospital, London, United Kingdom
(Sponsored by Mater Dei Hospital)
Dr Marion Helme
Project Manager, Higher Education Academy Health
Sciences and Practice Subject Centre, King’s College, London
(Sponsored by the Medical Association of Malta/European
Social Fund)
Professor Hans Hjelmqvist
Associate Professor, Department of Anaesthesia, Karolinska
University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden;
Chairman UEMS Working Group on Postgraduate
Training; Chairman Swedish Visiting Programme
(Sponsored by the Medical Association of Malta/European
Social Fund)
6
Professor Marion McMurdo
Professor, Division of Medicine and Therapeutics, Section of
Ageing and Health, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School,
Dundee, Scotland, United Kingdom
(Sponsored by the Department of Geriatric Medicine)
Professor Jane Somerville
Emeritus Professor of Cardiology, Imperial College,
London, United Kingdom
Professor David Sowden
Dean and Director, East Midlands Healthcare,
Work Force Deanery, Nottingham, United Kingdom
(Sponsored by the Medical Association
of Malta/European Social Fund)
Dr Robert Stevenson
President, European Specialty Accreditation
Board - Pulmonary Disease
(Sponsored by the Medical Association
of Malta/European Social Fund)
Professor Peter Valk
Department of Haematology and Molecular Diagnostics,
Erasmus University, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Mr Ludvic Zrinzo
Consultant Neurosurgeon, National Hospital for Neurology
and Neurosurgery, Queen Square, London, United Kingdom
Malta Medical Journal Volume 21 Supplement November 2009
Friday 6th November
Scientific Programme
Plenary Lectures
Plenary lecture 1
Other Plenary Lectures
Aula Magna, Old University
Campus Building, Valletta
Grand Masters Suite,
Malta Hilton Conference Centre
Wednesday 4th November
20:00 - 20:45
Plenary 1
Chair: Dr Charles Mallia Azzopardi
Prof Nick Phin
Pandemic Influenza - the Story so far
Thursday 5th November
08:30 - 09:15
Plenary 2
Chair: Dr Anthony Fiorini
Prof Marion McMurdo
Maintaining Physical Function in Later
Life: Exercise and new Roles for Old Drugs
11:00 - 11:45
Plenary 3
Chair: Dr Bridget Ellul
Prof Peter Valk
Genome - wide approaches to identify new
Subtypes of Acute Myeloid Leukaemia
12:45 - 13:30
Plenary 4
Chair: Prof Alex Felice
Dr Connie Bezzina
Genetics of Cardiac Arrhythmias
14:45 - 15:30
Plenary 5
Chair: Dr Josanne Aquilina
Mr Ludvic Zrinzo
Surgical Neuromodulation: Helping
Patients, Advancing Knowledge
18:15 - 19:00
Plenary 6
Chair: Dr Robert Xuereb
Dr Sandy Gupta
Cardiovascular Risk and Prevention anything new in 2010?
Operational Programme II - Cohesian Policy 2007 - 2013
Empowering People for More Jobs and a Better Quality of Life
Project part - financed by the European Union
European Social Fund (ESF)
Co-financing rate 72.25% EU; 12.75% MT; 15% NGO
Investing in your future
Malta Medical Journal Volume 21 Supplement November 2009
08:30 - 19:15
Plenary 7
Chair: Mr Gordon Caruana Dingli
Prof Andrea Pietrabissa
Virtual Reality in General Surgery
11:00 - 11:45
Plenary 8
Chair: Dr Bernard Coleiro
Dame Prof Carol Black
Work - a Powerful Predictor of Health and
Wellbeing
12:45 - 13:30
Plenary 9 - BMA (Malta Branch) Lecture
Chair: Dr Stephen Brincat
Dr Johann De Bono
Changing Cancer Medicine
14:45 - 15:30
Plenary 10
Chair: Prof Victor Grech
Prof Jane Somerville
Grown - up Congenital Heart Problems a New Medical Responsibility
18:15 - 19:00
Plenary 11
Chair: Prof Godfrey LaFerla
Ralph Arrigo Lecture
Prof Michael Camilleri
Mechanisms and New Treatments of
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Saturday 7th November
8:30
8:30 - 9:00
Symposium: Medical Education
Chair: Mr Kevin Cassar, Dr Martin Balzan
9:00 - 9:30
Prof Marion Helme
Improving collaboration in healthcare:
international developments of interprofessional education and current
challenges for implementation
9:30 - 9:55
Mr Robin Stevenson
Accreditation standards in CME/CMP
9:55 - 10:20
Dr Hans Hjelmqvist
Visitation of postgraduate programmes as a
means of quality assurance
11:00 - 11:45
Plenary 12
Chair: Mr Thomas Fenech
Dr Joseph Coleiro
A Spectrum of Corneal Disease
12:45 - 13:30
Plenary 13
Chair: Dr Natasha Azzopardi Muscat
Prof Walter Ricciardi
Management and Leadership in Medicine:
a Challenge for Quality and Sustainability
of Health Services
Prof David Sowden
The artistry of practice - how can medical
education ensure that medical practice
remains expert?
7
Parallel Sessions
Date
Thursday 5th November
Time
0915 - 1030
Session
Topic
Venue
A
Cardiovascular
Grand Masters Suite
B
Public Health 1
Wignacourt Room
C
Pharmacy 1
Vilhena Room
D
Medicine 1
Grand Masters Suite
1530 - 1645
E
Paediatrics 1
Wignacourt Room
F
Obstetrics/Gynaecology1
Vilhena Room
G
Medicine 2
Grand Masters Suite
H
Biomedical Sciences
Wignacourt Room
I
Allied Health Professions
Vilhena Room
Friday 6th November
1715 - 1815
J
Gastroenterology
Grand Masters Suite
0915 - 1030
K
Pharmacy 2
Wignacourt room
L
Public Health 2
Vilhena Room
M
Surgery 1
Grand Masters Suite
1530 - 1645
N
Medicine 3
Wignacourt Room
O
Paediatrics 2
Vilhena Room
P
Surgery 2
Grand Masters Suite
Q
Oncology
Wignacourt Room
R
Obstetrics/Gynaecology2
Vilhena Room
Saturday 7th November
1715 - 1815
S
Medical Education
Grand Masters Suite
T
Family Medicine
Wignacourt Room
U
Anaesthesia/ITU
Vilhena Room
8
1145 - 1245
Malta Medical Journal Volume 21 Supplement November 2009
Detailed Scientific Programme
Thursday, 5th November
Venue: Grand Masters Suite
Chairpersons: Prof Albert Fenech, Mr Alex Manchè
Parallel Session B
Public Health 1
Venue: Wignacourt Room
Chairpersons: Dr John Cachia, Dr Julian Mamo
0915 - 0925
A1
Plastic surgery of the mitral valve
- a single surgeon’s experience
Briffa Norman
0915 - 0925
B1
Assessing financial sustainability
in the Maltese health services
Azzopardi Muscat Natasha
0925 - 0935
A2
Prosthesis - patient match or
mismatch effect on transvalvular
gradient and diastolic left
ventricular function following
aortic valve replacement
Galea Joseph
0925 - 0935
B2
The cost of obesity
Calleja Neville
0935 - 0945
B3
Obesity in children in Malta
Sammut Antonella
0935 - 0945
A3
Re - exploration for bleeding
after cardiac surgery: its
subsequent impact on medium
to long - term outcomes
West Malcolm
0945 - 0955
B4
Utilization of GP services in
private and public sector
Gauci Dorothy
0955 - 1005
B5
Mater Dei Hospital survey on
patient safety culture
Zammit Richard
0945 - 0955
A4
An assessment of quality care in
hypertension
Tilney Myra
1005 - 1015
B6
Influenza vaccine coverage of
Maltese health care workers
Zammit Adrian
0955 - 1005
A5
Election stress and mortality
from coronary heart disease in
the Maltese population
Sammut Mark
1015 - 1025
B7
Prevalence of smoking among
Maltese pregnant women
Agius Andee
1005 - 1015
A6
The management of fast atrial
fibrillation in the accident
and emergency department of
Mater Dei Hospital - are
guidelines being followed?
Captur Gabriella
1025 - 1030
Discussion
1015 - 1025
A7
Door to balloon time for primary
percutaneous coronary
intervention: are we fast enough?
Micallef Tiziana
1025 - 1030
Discussion
Parallel Session A
Cardiovascular Diseases
Malta Medical Journal Volume 21 Supplement November 2009
9
Parallel Session C
Pharmacy 1
Venue: Vilhena Room
Chairpersons: Dr Claire Shoemake,
Prof Anthony Serracino Inglott
0915 - 0925
C1
History of pharmacy in Malta:
1945 - 1950
Abela Gerard
0925 - 0935
C2
0935 - 0945
C3
Trends in areas of practice of
pharmacists: a fourteen year
analysis
Anastasi Alison
English - Maltese dictionary of
medical and pharmaceutical terms
Spiteri Miran
0945 - 0955 C4
Developing a drug information
bulletin
Brincat Alison
0955 - 1005
C5
Evaluation of pharmacist clinical
recommendation in a geriatric
hospital
Vella Elaine
1005 - 1015
C6
Evaluation of the impact of
the rheumatology clinical
pharmacist on quality of life
and perception of rheumatoid
arthritis patients on methotrexate
Azzopardi Louise
1015 - 1025
C7
Hospital pharmacist’s
intervention in Parkison’s disease
Vella Janis
1025 - 1030
Discussion
10
Parallel Session D
Medicine 1
Venue: Grand Masters Suite
Chairpersons: Prof Josanne Vassallo, Dr Norbert Vella
1530 - 1540
D1
B.I.R.O.: Best Information on
Diabetes through Regional
Outcomes
Azzopardi Joseph
1540 - 1550
D2
Susceptibility to diabetic
nephropathy - analysis of
phenotypic factors
Magri Caroline Jane
1550 - 1600
D3
Presentation, treatment and
outcomes in patients with non functioning pituitary adenomas
in Malta
Gruppetta Mark
1600 - 1610
D4
Health - related quality of life in
Maltese patients suffering from
acromegaly
Farrugia Cecilia
1610 - 1620
D5
A novel AIP Mutation in a
Maltese subject with acromegaly
- identification and functional
analysis in a locally validated
pituitary cell culture system
Formosa Robert
1620 - 1630
D6
Risk of malignancy in patients
with giant cell arteritis: a
population based study
Warrington Kenneth
1630 - 1640
D7
Adult acne in Females
Pace Joseph
1640 - 1645
Discussion
Malta Medical Journal Volume 21 Supplement November 2009
Parallel Session E
Paediatrics 1
Parallel Session F
Obstetrics/Gynaecology 1
Venue: Wignacourt Room
Chairpersons: Prof Victor Grech, Dr John Torpiano
Venue: Vilhena Room
Chairpersons: Prof Charles Savona Ventura,
Mr Mark Formosa
1530 - 1540
E1
The effect of smoking on allergic
conditions in Maltese children
(ISAAC)
Montefort Stephen
1530 - 1540
F1
Recurrent miscarriage clinic an analysis of new cases for 2008
Mercieca Deborah
1540 - 1550
E2
Nurse staffing levels on NPICU
in Malta
Grech Victor
1540 - 1550
F2
Why did your mother reject you
- novel concepts on the roles of
cytokines in miscarriage
Calleja Agius Jean
1550 - 1600
E3
Capsule endoscopy in paediatric
patients - safety and diagnostic
considerations
Attard Thomas
1550 - 1555
Discussion
1600 - 1610
E4
Escorted airline transfers of
critical children: Practice review
Attard Montalto Simon
1555 - 1605
F3
Obstetric outcomes in women
originating from the Sahel belt of
the Horn of Africa region
Guillaumier Rita Anne
1610 - 1620
E5
Preparedness of hospital
emergency services for children
in an influenza pandemic
Debono Pharrah
1605 - 1615
F4
Lowest threshold values for the
75g oral glucose tolerance test in
pregnancy
Craus Johan
1615 - 1620
Discussion
1620 - 1630
E6
Trends in paediatric palliative
care training in Malta
Galea Nathalie
1620 - 1630
F5
Parents’ experience of pregnancy
and the first six months
postnatal period
Borg Xuereb Rita
1630 - 1640 E7
An analysis of paediatric A&E
attendances at Mater Dei
Hospital, Malta
Grixti Cynthia
1630 - 1640
F6
Risk factors for premature births
of the Maltese population
Guillaumier Rita Anne
1640 - 1645
Discussion
1640 - 1645
Discussion
Malta Medical Journal Volume 21 Supplement November 2009
11
Parallel Session G
Medicine 2
Parallel Session H
Biomedical Sciences
Venue: Grand Masters Suite
Chairpersons: Dr Anthony Fiorini, Dr Tonio Piscopo
Venue: Wignacourt Room
Chairpersons: Prof Angela Xuereb Anastasi,
Prof Alfred Cuschieri
1715 - 1725
G1
An analysis of documented
medication errors
Fiorini Anthony
1725 - 1735
G2
Delayed discharge from hospital
- social case, medically unwell or
physically disabled?
Abela Stephen
1715 - 1725
H1
The significance of quantitative
Hb epidemiology in public health
genomics and genetic models of
complex disease
Alex Felice
1735 - 1745
G3
What makes older people fall
during an in - patient
rehabilitation programme?
Spiteri Danica
1725 - 1735
H2
Igbp 1 protein as a regulator of
mTOR pathway and its role in
haemopoiesis
Borg Neville
1745 - 1755
G4
Audit on the acute management
and outcome in adults admitted
with community acquired
pneumonia
Micallef Josef
1735 - 1745
H3
Developmental defects in
spontaneously miscarried
foetuses
Cuschieri Alfred
1755 - 1805
G5
Tuberculosis in Malta an Emerging Problem
Farrugia Brian
1745 - 1755
H4
An imaging study of the neuronal
subsets in the green fluorescent
protein (GFP - M)line of
transgenic mice
Bajada Claude
1805 - 1815
Discussion
1755 - 1805
H5
Candidate molecular regulators
of developmental globin gene
switching
Borg Joseph
1805 - 1815
Discussion
12
Malta Medical Journal Volume 21 Supplement November 2009
Friday, 6th November
Parallel Session I
Allied Health Professions
Parallel Session J
Gastroenterology
Venue: Vilhena Room
Chairpersons: Dr Sandra Buttigieg, Dr Donia Baldacchino
Venue: Grand Masters Suite
Chairpersons: Prof Michael Camilleri,
Prof Godfrey LaFerla
1715 - 1725
I1
Personality, stress and spiritual
coping of nursing students
Baldacchino Donia
1725 - 1735
I2
The relationship between
physician - nurse collaboration,
job satisfaction and intention to
leave employment in the intra operative Setting
Mamo Joseph
1735 - 1745
I3
Variables associated to stress in
informal carers of older people in
receipt of respite care
Dimech Joseph
1745 - 1755
I4
Cospicua day centre - a
community mental health service
Farrugia Maria Daniella
1755 - 1805
I5
The meaning of pre - discharge
home visits
Vella Stephanie
1805 - 1815
Discussion
Malta Medical Journal Volume 21 Supplement November 2009
0915 - 0925
J1
Audit on management of upper
GI Bleeding
Azzopardi Neville
0925 - 0935
J2
The prevalence, topography and
nature of Helicobacter pylori
colonization in a Maltese
population
Ellul Ernest
0935 - 0945
J3
Non - invasive prediction of
oesophageal varices in patients
with hepatitis C - related liver
cirrhosis: a 2009 audit
Gerada Jurgen
0945 - 0955
J4
Pictorial review of occult GI
bleeding
Gatt Andre
0955 - 1005
J5
Location of adenomatous polyps
Camenzuli Christian
1005 - 1015
J6
Minimal access intervention for
severe acute pancreatitis - how
we do it.
Abela Jo Etienne
1015 - 1025
J7
Benign pancreatico - biliary
admissions - an audit of
presentation, diagnosis and
management
Sant Kurstein
1025 - 1030
Discussion
13
Parallel Session K
Pharmacy 2
Parallel Session L
Public Health 2
Venue: Wignacourt Room
Chairpersons: Prof Lillian Azzopardi,
Dr Maurice Zarb Adami
Venue: Vilhena Room
Chairpersons: Dr Raymond Busuttil,
Dr Frank Laferla
0915 - 0925
K1
Supplementary pharmacy
prescribing in Malta
Wirth Francesca
0925 - 0935
K2
Anticoagulant monitoring in
community pharmacies
Buhagiar Kristen
0935 - 0945
K3
Point - of - care anticoagulant
monitoring
Azzopardi Melanie
0945 - 0955
K4
Point - of - care HbA1c
monitoring
Azzopardi Stephanie
0955 - 1005
K5
Investigating pancreatic
amylase in pancreatic juice
Scicluna Giusti Wendy
1005 - 1015
K6
Developing a method for the
quantification of gentamicin in
human tissue samples
Zammit Marie Claire
1015 - 1025
K7
Improving the yield in the
production of slow - release
pellets
Bartolo Nicolette
1025 - 1030
Discussion
14
0915 - 0925
L1
Too much of a good thing: the
unreliability of reliability
statistics
0925 - 0935
L2
Multilevel modelling and its
relevance in public health,
epidemiological and health
service research
Buttigieg Sandra
0935 - 0945
L3
Influenza H1N1 pandemic in
Malta - situational analysis of
the first three months
Melillo Tanya
0945 - 0955
L4
Prevention of MRSA infections
following cardiovascular surgery
Borg Michael
0955 - 1005
L5
International medical students
lifestyle choices
Mamo Jonathan
1005 - 1015
L6
Measles in Europe where are we?
Muscat Mark
1015 - 1025
L7
National obstetrics information
system audit on mode of delivery
2008
Grima Antonella
1025 - 1030
Discussion
Malta Medical Journal Volume 21 Supplement November 2009
Parallel Session M
Surgery 1
Parallel Session N
Medicine 3
Venue: Grandmasters Suite
Chairpersons: Mr Karl German, Mr Mark Schembri
Venue: Wignacourt Room
Chairpersons: Dr Mario Vassallo, Dr David Cassar
1530 - 1540
M1
Infra - inguinal bypass surgery in
a Maltese population
Cassar Noel
1530 - 1540
N1
Mental health problems in
students at the University of
Malta. A longitudinal study.
David Cassar
1540 - 1550
M2
Day case lower limb angioplasty
is safe
Galea Angela
1550 - 1600
M3
Outcomes of lower limb major
amputation surgery in Malta
Schirò Andrew
1540 - 1550
N2
Measuring outcomes in early
intervention for psychosis
services
Agius Mark
1600 - 1610
M4
Abdominal aortic aneurysm
(AAA) screening in patients with
established ischaemic heart
disease
Abela Rachel
1550 - 1600
N3
Personalized medicine in
psychiatry: combining PET
imaging and population
pharmacokinetics to predict the
minimal effective dose of
antipsychotic drugs
Mamo David
1610 - 1620
M5
Norfloxacin transdermal
patches: a novel approach for
burn wound healing
Kamal Dua
1600 - 1610
N4
Human anatomy in Caravaggio’s
paintings
Cuschieri Alfred
1620 - 1630
M6
Clinical efficacy and safety
of intravesical botulinum - A
toxin in patients with refractory
non - neurogenic overactive
bladder
Bugeja Simon
1620 - 1630
N5
Audit of stroke care in Malta
Philip Dingli
1630 - 1640
M7
The practice of intra - operative
consultation in thyroid surgery:
the Maltese scenario.
Atttard Jason
1620 - 1630
N6
Patient outcome, graft function
and clinical characteristics of 32
renal transplant patients
followed up in Malta in a two year period
Buhagiar Louis
1640 - 1645
Discussion
1630 - 1640
N7
A time and motion study of
patients presenting at the
Accident and Emergency
Department at Mater Dei
Hospital
Cauchi Maria
1640 - 1645
Discussion
Malta Medical Journal Volume 21 Supplement November 2009
15
Parallel Session O
Pediatrics 2
Parallel Session P
Surgery 2
Venue: Vilhena Room
Chairpersons: Prof Simon Attard Montalto,
Dr Paul Vassallo Agius
Venue: Grand Masters Suite
Chairpersons: Mr F Zammit Maempel, Mr Joe Debono
1530 - 1540
O1
Health needs and services for
children with Down’s syndrome
in Malta
Farrugia John Mary
1715 - 1725
P1
Does bone density play a role in
fractures of the human temporal
bone?
Fenech Anthony J
1540 - 1550
O2
Clinical and genetic
characteristics of the Griscelli
syndrome
Pace David
1725 - 1735
P2
The demographics of water sport related spinal cord
injuries in the Maltese Islands
Maempel Julian
1550 - 1600
O3
Introduction to cerebral function
monitoring in NPICU at Mater
Dei Hospital in Malta - a pilot
study
Attard Stephen
1735 - 1745
P3
Interfascial pressure monitoring
and prevention of neck
compartment syndrome in head
and neck oncology
Mejzlik Jan
1600 - 1610
O4
1610 - 1620
O5
Type 1 diabetes mellitus in
Maltese children: A snapshot of
the current situation
Formosa Nancy
1745 - 1755
P4
Endoscopic total extraperitoneal
mesh repairs for groin hernias: is
it suitable practice for day
surgery unit?
Chircop Kieran
Is 24 hour observation in
hospital after stopping
antibiotics in neonates justified?
Fenech Josella
1755 - 1805
P5
An audit regarding the
appropriateness of red cell
transfusion in Mater Dei Hospital
Borg Aquilina Denise
1620 - 1630
O6
Audit of chest x - rays performed
on children presenting with an
acute cough at paediatric
casualty, Mater Dei Hospital,
Malta
Buttigieg Mark
1805 - 1815
Discussion
1630 - 1640
O7
Paediatric echocardiography
at cardiac laboratory at
Mater Dei Hospital. An
analysis of the indications
and outcomes of urgent
echocardiographic studies
and a survey of parental
understanding of a normal
echocardiogram
Mercieca Victor
1640 - 1645
Discussion
16
Malta Medical Journal Volume 21 Supplement November 2009
Parallel Session Q
Oncology
Parallel Session R
Obstetrics/Gynaecology 2
Venue: Wignacourt Room
Chairpersons: Dr Stephen Brincat, Dr Victor Muscat
1715 - 1725
Q1
PET/CT: Rethinking cancer
patient management
Aquilina Mark Anthony
Venue: Vilhena Room
Chairpersons: Prof Mark Brincat, Mr Raymond Galea
1715 - 1725
R1
Natural hip protector against
postmenopausal hip fracture
Muscat Baron Yves Joseph
1725 - 1735
Q2
Preoperative chemoradiation in
the management of locally
advanced rectal cancer
Brincat Stephen
1725 - 1735
R2
The effect of a marine alga Padina
pavonica on Maltese menopausal
women
Galea Raymond
1735 - 1745
Q3
Population uptake and screening
tool preference for colorectal
cancer screening in the
Maltese population
Ellul Pierre
1735 - 1745
R3
A haplotype within TNFRSF11b
Gene and BMD in Maltese post
menopausal women
Xuereb Anastasi Angela
1745 - 1755
Discussion
1745 - 1755
Q4
Downstaging of colorectal
cancers by UK National bowel
cancer screening programme data from first screening centre
Ellul Pierre
1755 - 1805
Q5
Erlotinib in advanced small cell
lung cancer. A review of patients
treated in Malta
DeGiovanni Sarah
1755 - 1805
R4
Abnormal smear cytology
correlating with HPV DNA
testing and incidence of
regression and patients’
characteristics
Saliba Isabelle
1805 - 1815
Discussion
1805 - 1815
R5
Intermenstrual bleeding patterns
in women treated with the
levonorgestrel intra - uterine
system
Muscat Baron Yves Joseph
Discussion
Malta Medical Journal Volume 21 Supplement November 2009
17
Saturday, 7th November
Parallel Session S
Medical Education
Parallel Session T
Family Medicine
Venue: Grand Masters Suite
Chairpersons: Prof David Sowden, Prof Joseph Cacciottolo
1145 - 1155
S1
The final examination in
medicine at the University of
Malta: candidates’ perspectives
Cacciottolo Joseph
Venue: Wignacourt Room
Chairpersons: Prof Pierre Mallia, Dr Mario Sammut
1145 - 1155
T1
Symptom management by a
community palliative care team
- a one follow - up evaluation
study
Abela Jurgen
1155 - 1205
S2
Introduction to anatomy
teaching in the clinical phase
- analysis of the opinions of
medical students and junior
doctors
Camilleri Brennan John
1205 - 1215
S3
New education policies in
Obstetrics and Gynaecology:
2008 - 9
Savona Ventura Charles
1215 - 1225
S4
Assessment of clinical skills
among undergraduate medical
students
Farrugia Jones Cynthia
1225 - 1235
S5
Consistency between examiners
in the final anatomy examination
2008 - 2009
Stabile Isabel
1235 - 1245
Discussion
18
1155 - 1205
T2
Translating and testing the
reliability of the adult primary
care assessment tool into
Maltese
Azzopardi Fabrizia
1205 - 1215
T3
The prevalence of group A beta haemolytic streptococcal
infection in patients presenting
with sore throat in the
community in Malta
Camilleri Noel
1215 - 1225
T4
Primary care in Malta - the
patient’s expectations
Soler Jean Karl
1225 - 1235
T5
Evidence based medicine in
general practice - an
exploratory study
Agius Dominic
1235 - 1245
Discussion
Malta Medical Journal Volume 21 Supplement November 2009
Parallel Session U
Anaesthesia/ITU
Venue: Vilhena Room
Chairpersons: Dr Carmel Abela, Dr Mario Zerafa
1145 - 1205
U1
Pain management after
ambulatory surgery - regional
techniques at home
Rawal Narinder
1205 - 1215
U2
A Study to compare the incidence
of complications between
percutaneous tracheostomy and
surgical tracheostomy in our
local Intensive Care Unite (ICU)
Aquilina Andrew
1215 - 1225
U3
1225 - 1235
U4
Morbidity and mortality of ITU
admissions in between January
2009 and June 2009
Fenech Cherylin
To determine the incidence
of peri - operative hypothermia
under current theatre practice
Camilleri Podesta Anne Marie
1235 - 1245
Discussion
Malta Medical Journal Volume 21 Supplement November 2009
19