Tong Wei Yew

Dr. Tong Wei Yew

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

13Years (2014-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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12 November 2020 in Diabetes Care
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
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TYTong Wei Yew
Tong Wei Yew
CCClaudia Chi
Claudia Chi
SCShiao-Yng Chan
Shiao-Yng Chan
RDRob Van Dam
Rob Van Dam
CWClare Whitton
Clare Whitton
ETE Shyong Tai
E Shyong Tai
OBJECTIVE SMART-GDM examined whether Habits-GDM, a smartphone application (app) coaching program, can prevent excessive gestational weight gain (EGWG) and improve glycemic control and maternal and neonatal outcomes in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS In this randomized controlled trial, women diagnosed with GDM between 12 and 30 weeks were randomly assigned to usual care (control) or to additional support from Habits-GDM that integrated dietary, physical activity, weight, and glucose monitoring (intervention). The primary outcome was the proportion of participants with EGWG. Secondary outcomes included absolute gestational weight gain (GWG), glycemic control, and maternal, delivery, and neonatal outcomes. RESULTS In total, 340 women were randomized (170 intervention, 170 control; mean ± SD age 32.0 ± 4.2 years; mean BMI 25.6 ± 5.6 kg/m2). There were no statistically significant differences in the proportions of women with EGWG, absolute GWG, or maternal and delivery outcomes between experimental groups. Average glucose readings were lower in the intervention group (mean difference −0.15 mmol/L [95% CI −0.26; −0.03], P = 0.011) as were the proportions of glucose above targets (premeal: 17.9% vs. 23.3%, odds ratio 0.68 [95% CI 0.53; 0.87], P = 0.003; 2-h postmeal: 19.9% vs. 50%, 0.54 [0.42; 0.70], P < 0.001). When regarded as a composite (although not prespecified), the overall neonatal complications (including birth trauma, neonatal hypoglycemia, hyperbilirubinemia, respiratory distress, neonatal intensive care unit admission, and perinatal death) were significantly lower in the intervention group (38.1% vs. 53.7%, 0.53 [0.34; 0.84], P = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS When added to usual care, Habits-GDM resulted in better maternal glycemic control and composite neonatal outcomes (nonprespecified) but did not reduce EGWG among women with GDM.

16 March 2021 in JMIR mHealth and uHealth
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
KLKaren Lim
Karen Lim
SCShiao-Yng Chan
Shiao-Yng Chan
SLSu Lin Lim
Su Lin Lim
TCTAI Bee Choo
TAI Bee Choo
CTCammy Tsai
Cammy Tsai
EYEu-Leong Yong
Eu-Leong Yong
Background: Women with a history of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are at an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Lifestyle interventions aimed at postpartum weight loss to reduce T2DM risk have been reported, but poor compliance remains a barrier. Smartphone-based interventions may improve compliance, but data on its use in women with recent GDM are limited. Objective: This trial aimed to investigate the efficacy of a smartphone app in restoring optimal weight following delivery in women with GDM, in the setting of a population with high rates of GDM and type 2 diabetes. Methods: In this unblinded randomized controlled trial, 200 women with GDM were randomized to receive the intervention or standard care following delivery. The intervention enabled logging of weight, meals, and activity, with web-based interaction with a team comprising dieticians, a physiotherapist, and an occupational therapist. The primary outcome was an achievement of optimal weight (defined as the restoration of first trimester weight if first trimester BMI≤23 kg/m2 or weight loss of at least 5% from first trimester weight if first trimester BMI>23 kg/m2) at 4 months post partum. Secondary outcome measures included absolute weight loss, serum metabolic markers, self-reported nutritional intake, health education, and quality of life via questionnaires and user engagement in the intervention group. Results: In total, 40% (38/96) of women in the intervention group achieved optimal weight at 4 months post delivery compared with 32% (28/93) in the control group (P=.27). Compared with the control group, women in the intervention group reported significantly reduced caloric intake at 4 months after delivery (P<.001) and higher health-directed behavior scores (P=.045). The intervention group also reported increased emotional distress scores (P=.01). At 4 months, participant engagement with the intervention was maintained at 60.8% (SD 33.9%). Conclusions: Although a statistically significant increase in women achieving healthy weight was not observed, this app remains promising, as women in the intervention group reported improved health behaviors and lower caloric intake. Importantly, the high retention rates suggest that a larger study with a longer follow-up period might confirm the effectiveness of this app for weight management. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03324737; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03324737 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): RR2-10.1186/s12889-019-7691-3

17 August 2016 in Diabetic Medicine
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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TYTong Wei Yew
Tong Wei Yew
LML. McCreight
L. McCreight
KCK. Colclough
K. Colclough
SES. Ellard
S. Ellard
EPE. R. Pearson
E. R. Pearson
Background: A syndrome of young‐onset diabetes mellitus associated with microcephaly, epilepsy and intellectual disability caused by mutations in the tRNA methyltransferase 10 homologue A (TRMT10A) gene has recently been described.Case report: We report two siblings from the fourth family reported to have diabetes mellitus as a result of a TRMT10A mutation. A homozygous nonsense mutation p.Glu27Ter in TRMT10A was identified using targeted next‐generation sequencing and confirmed by PCR/Sanger sequencing. Diabetes was diagnosed while the subjects were in their 20s and was characterized by insulin resistance. Epilepsy and intellectual disability were features in common. Mild microcephaly was present at birth but their final head circumferences were normal.Conclusion: Our report provides independent confirmation of the role of TRMT10A mutations in this syndrome and expands its phenotypic description. TRMT10A sequencing should be considered in children or adults with young‐onset diabetes who have a history of intellectual disability, microcephaly and epilepsy. This report also shows the advantages of using a targeted panel to identify previously unsuspected monogenic diabetes among young‐onset non‐insulin‐dependent diabetes in the absence of obesity and autoimmunity.

30 June 2020 in JMIR Formative Research
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
Sumali HewageSumali Hewage
Sumali Hewage
JAJananie Audimulam
Jananie Audimulam
ESEmily Sullivan
Emily Sullivan
CCClaudia Chi
Claudia Chi
TYTong Wei Yew
Tong Wei Yew
JYJoanne Su Yin Yoong
Joanne Su Yin Yoong
Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is associated with risks for both the mother and child. The escalated prevalence of GDM because of obesity and changes in screening criteria demands for greater health care needs than before. Objective: This study aimed to understand the perception of patients and health care providers of the barriers to GDM management and preferred interventions to manage GDM in an Asian setting. Methods: This mixed methods study used a convergent parallel design. Survey data were collected from 216 women with GDM, and semistructured interviews were conducted with 15 women and with 8 health care providers treating patients with GDM. Participants were recruited from 2 specialized GDM clinics at the National University Hospital, Singapore. Results: The patients were predominantly Chinese (102/214, 47.6%), employed (201/272, 73.9%), with higher education (150/216, 69.4%) and prenatal attendance at a private clinic (138/214, 64.2%), already on diet control (210/214, 98.1%), and receiving support and information from the GDM clinic (194/215, 90.2%) and web-based sources (131/215, 60.9%). In particular, working women reported barriers to GDM management, including the lack of reminders for blood glucose monitoring, diet control, and insufficient time for exercise. Most women preferred getting such support directly from health care providers, whether at the GDM clinic (174/215, 80.9%) or elsewhere (116/215, 53.9%). Smartphone apps were the preferred means of additional intervention. Desirable intervention features identified by patients included more information on GDM, diet and exercise options, reminders for blood glucose testing, a platform to record blood glucose readings and illustrate or understand trends, and a means to communicate with care providers. Conclusions: A GDM-focused smartphone app that is able to integrate testing, education, and communication may be a feasible and acceptable intervention to provide support to women with GDM, particularly for working women.

SSShilpa Surendran
Shilpa Surendran
CLChang Siang Lim
Chang Siang Lim
GKGerald Choon-Huat Koh
Gerald Choon-Huat Koh
TYTong Wei Yew
Tong Wei Yew
ETE Shyong Tai
E Shyong Tai
PFPin Sym Foong
Pin Sym Foong
The prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is increasing, and only a few mobile health (mHealth) applications are specifically designed to manage GDM. In this mixed-methods study, a follow-up study of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) analyzed a largely automated mHealth application-based lifestyle coaching program to (a) measure the application’s usage behavior and (b) explore users’ perceptions of its usefulness in GDM management. Quantitative data were collected from the 170 application users who had participated in the intervention arm of the RCT. Semi-structured interviews (n = 14) captured users’ experiences when using the application. Data were collected from June 2019 to January 2020. Quantitative data were analyzed descriptively, and interviews were analyzed thematically. Only 57/170 users (34%) logged at least one meal, and only 35 meals on average were logged for eight weeks because of the incorrectly worded food items and limited food database. On the contrary, an average of 1.85 (SD = 1.60) weight values were logged per week since the weight tracking component was easy to use. Many users (6/14 (43%)) mentioned that the automatic coach messages created an immediate sense of self-awareness in food choices and motivated behavior. The findings suggest that for GDM management, a largely automated mHealth application has the potential to promote self-awareness of healthy lifestyle choices, reducing the need for intensive human resources. Additionally, several gaps in the application’s design were identified which need to be addressed in future works.

27 March 2018 in Journal of Diabetes Investigation
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
HTHong Chang Tan
Hong Chang Tan
TYTong Wei Yew
Tong Wei Yew
SCShaji Chacko
Shaji Chacko
ETE Shyong Tai
E Shyong Tai
JKJean‐Paul Kovalik
Jean‐Paul Kovalik
CKChin Meng Khoo
Chin Meng Khoo
Aims/Introduction: Indian individuals are more insulin resistant (IR) than Chinese individuals, even among those with a non‐obese body mass index (BMI). However, BMI often underestimates body fat in Indian individuals, and it remains unclear whether Indians would remain more IR than Chinese individuals when both BMI and body fat are equally matched.Materials and Methods: Using the hyperinsulinemic‐euglycemic clamp with stable‐isotope infusion, we comprehensively assessed IR between 13 non‐obese Indian men with 13 Chinese men matched for age, BMI and body fat. We further compared the differences in insulin metabolic clearance rate (MCR) between the two groups and its relationship with various metabolic parameters. The response of lipid and amino acid metabolism to insulin stimulation was also evaluated using metabolomic profiling.Results: The rates of endogenous glucose production during fasting were similar, and endogenous glucose production was completely suppressed during insulin clamp for both ethnic groups. Glucose disappearance during insulin clamp was also similar between the two groups, even after accounting for differences in insulin concentration. Metabolomic profiles of amino acids and various acylcarnitines were similar during both fasting and insulin clamp. However, plasma insulin during clamp was significantly higher in Indian men, indicating that insulin MCR was lower. Insulin MCR correlated significantly with total adiposity and skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity.Conclusion: When equally matched for body fat, non‐obese Indian men had similar skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity and endogenous glucose production to Chinese men. The effects of insulin on lipid and amino acid metabolism were also similar. Low insulin MCR is associated with greater adiposity and lower skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity.