The real-world application of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL), have generated significant interest throughout the computer science and medical communities in recent years. This interest has been accompanied by no small amount of hype. Though the term ‘ML’ was coined 50 years ago by...

Haemoglobinopathies are inherited disorders of haemoglobin (Hb) in which the genetic abnormality leads to reduced synthesis of normal globin chains (α- and β-thalassaemia) or functional changes in haemoglobin (haemoglobin structural variants).1 The haematological parameters of patients with thalassaemia differ widely, ranging from asymptomatic carriers to severe anaemia requiring regular...

When a patient’s diagnosis is uncertain, diagnostic radiologists study images created using X-rays, computed tomography (CT), ultrasound, and magnetic resonance (MR), to infer disease patterns and identify the most likely cause of the patient’s signs and symptoms. The medical specialty of diagnostic radiology has always been greatly affected by...

Frailty is an age-related risk state characterised by multisystem deficits with loss of physiologic reserves, which increase the vulnerability of older adults such that even trivial stressor events can lead to a higher risk of negative health-related outcomes.1 Against the backdrop of population ageing, the prevalence of frailty in...

Tobacco is one of the greatest public health threats, accounting for more than 7 million deaths each year.1 In Singapore, the prevalence of smoking was estimated as 13.3% of the population aged 18 to 69 years in 2013.2 The positive association between tuberculosis (TB) and smoking is well established...