Directly Observed Therapy and Improved Tuberculosis Treatment Outcomes in Thailand

BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that tuberculosis (TB) patients receive directly observed therapy (DOT). Randomized controlled trials have not consistently shown that this practice improves TB treatment success rates. In Thailand, one of 22 WHO-designated high burden TB countries, patients may have TB treatment observed by a health care worker (HCW), family member, or no one. We studied whether DOT improved TB treatment outcomes in a prospective, observational cohort. METHODS AND FINDINGS: We prospectively collected epidemiologic data about TB patients treated at public and private facilities in four provinces in Thailand and the national infectious diseases hospital from 2004-2006. Public health staff recorded the type of observed therapy that patients received during the first two months of TB treatment. We limited our analysis to pulmonary TB patients never previously treated for TB and not known to have multidrug-resistant TB. We analyzed the proportion of patients still on treatment at the end of two months and with treatment success at the end of treatment according to DOT type. We used propensity score analysis to control for factors associated with DOT and treatment outcome. Of 8,031 patients eligible for analysis, 24% received HCW DOT, 59% family DOT, and 18% self-administered therapy (SAT). Smear-positive TB was diagnosed in 63%, and 21% were HIV-infected. Of patients either on treatment or that defaulted at two months, 1601/1636 (98%) patients that received HCW DOT remained on treatment at two months compared with 1096/1268 (86%) patients that received SAT (adjusted OR [aOR] 3.8; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.4-6.0) and 3782/3987 (95%) patients that received family DOT (aOR 2.1; CI, 1.4-3.1). Of patients that had treatment success or that defaulted at the end of treatment, 1369/1477 (93%) patients that received HCW DOT completed treatment compared with 744/1074 (69%) patients that received SAT (aOR 3.3; CI, 2.4-4.5) and 3130/3529 (89%) patients that received family DOT (aOR 1.5; 1.2-1.9). The benefit of HCW DOT compared with SAT was similar, but smaller, when comparing patients with treatment success to those with death, default, or failure. CONCLUSIONS: In Thailand, two months of DOT was associated with lower odds of default during treatment. The magnitude of benefit was greater for DOT provided by a HCW compared with a family member. Thailand should consider increasing its use of HCW DOT during TB treatment

The social network index and its relation to later-life depression among the elderly aged ≥80 years in Northern Thailand

Myo Nyein Aung,1 Saiyud Moolphate,2 Thin Nyein Nyein Aung,3 Chitima Katonyoo,2 Songyos Khamchai,4 Pongsak Wannakrairot1 1Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand; 2Department of Public Health, Chiang Mai Rajabhat University, Chiang Mai, Thailand; 3Department of Public Health, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan; 4Chiang Mai Provincial Health Office, Chiang Mai, Thailand Background: Having a diverse social network is considered to be beneficial to a person’s well-being. The significance, however, of social network diversity in the geriatric assessment of people aged ≥80 years has not been adequately investigated within the Southeast Asian context. This study explored the social networks belonging to the elderly aged ≥80 years and assessed the relation of social network and geriatric depression. Methods: This study was a community-based cross-sectional survey conducted in Chiang Mai Province, Northern Thailand. A representative sample of 435 community residents, aged ≥80 years, were included in a multistage sample. The participants’ social network diversity was assessed by applying Cohen’s social network index (SNI). The geriatric depression scale and activities of daily living measures were carried out during home visits. Descriptive analyses revealed the distribution of SNI, while the relationship between the SNI and the geriatric depression scale was examined by ordinal logistic regression models controlling possible covariants such as age, sex, and educational attainment. Results: The median age of the sample was 83 years, with females comprising of 54.94% of the sample. The participants’ children, their neighbors, and members of Buddhist temples were reported as the most frequent contacts of the study participants. Among the 435 participants, 25% were at risk of social isolation due to having a “limited” social network group (SNI 0–3), whereas 37% had a “medium” social network (SNI 4–5), and 38% had a “diverse” social network (SNI ≥6). The SNI was not different among the two sexes. Activities of daily living scores in the diverse social network group were significantly higher than those in the limited social network group. Multivariate ordinal logistic regression analysis models revealed a significant negative association between social network diversity and geriatric depression. Conclusion: Regular and frequent contact with various social contacts may safeguard common geriatric depression among persons aged ≥80 years. As a result, screening those at risk of social isolation is recommended to be integrated into routine primary health care-based geriatric assessment and intervention programs. Keywords: aging, gerontology, psychogeriatrics, sociology of aging, community, Southeast Asia, Chiang Mai&nbsp

Causes of mortality among tuberculosis and HIV co-infected patients in Chiang Rai, Northern Thailand

Pacharee Kantipong,1 Kuniko Murakami,2 Saiyud Moolphate,3 Myo Nyein Aung,4,5 Norio Yamada21Chiang Rai Prachanukroh Hospital, Thailand; 2Japan Research Institute of Tuberculosis, Japan Anti-Tuberculosis Association, Tokyo, Japan; 3TB/HIV Research Project, Chiang Rai, Thailand; 4Department of Public Health, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan; 5Department of Epidemiology, University of Public Health, Yangon, MyanmarBackground: The case fatality rate in patients with tuberculosis (TB) associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has been particularly high in Chiang Rai, Northern Thailand. It was almost 50% before the introduction of antiretroviral therapy in the last decade, and was still at 28% in 2008, despite expanding access to antiretroviral therapy. Reviewing the causes of death may lead to further understanding of the timeline and natural history of TB-HIV coinfection, and in so doing help to devise an effective prevention strategy in Chiang Rai. In this study, we aimed to investigate the distribution of confirmed causes of death in patients coinfected with TB and HIV in Chiang Rai, describe the causes of such deaths along the timeline of TB treatment, and identify predictors of each cause of death.Methods: In this retrospective study, we reviewed the causes of death for 331 patients who died of TB-HIV coinfection at Chiang Rai Prachanukroh Hospital from 2005 to 2008. Causes of death were confirmed by reviewing medical records, vital registration, and the TB register in the province, as well as obtaining reconfirmation by two experienced HIV physicians.Results: The confirmed causes of death were TB (39%), acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related opportunistic infections other than TB (AOI) (29%), and other systemic diseases which were neither TB nor AIDS-related opportunistic infections (nonTB-nonAOI) (16%). The definitive cause could not be confirmed in the remaining 16% of deaths. After starting the TB treatment, deaths caused by TB occurred earlier compared with deaths caused by AOI, which occurred steadily throughout the course of TB treatment, whilst deaths caused by non-TB-nonAOI increased gradually in later months. Further analysis by multivariate multinomial regression analysis showed that deaths in the first month (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 4.64, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.49–8.63), CD4 count ≥ 200 cells/mm3 (aOR 5.33, CI 1.05–26.10), non-category 1 TB treatment regimens (aOR 5.23, CI 1.04–9.77), and TB meningitis (aOR 3.27, CI 1.37–7.82) were significant predictors of confirmed TB deaths. Moreover, age over 45 years (aOR 3, CI 1.32–6.84) and admission as an inpatient were predictors of death caused by neither TB nor AIDS-related opportunistic infections (aOR 3.08, CI 1.39–6.80). Additional analysis showed that non-Thai patients (aOR 0.35, CI 0.12–0.99), those with an unknown CD4 count at TB diagnosis (aOR 0.16, CI 0.08–0.33), and those without an HIV diagnosis before TB treatment (aOR 0.32, CI 0.18–0.59) were less able to access antiretroviral therapy.Conclusion: The timeline and predictors of causes of death may assist in devising an intervention strategy for further reduction of the TB-HIV case fatality rate.Keywords: human immunodeficiency virus, tuberculosis, coinfection, cause of death, CD4, antiretroviral therap

Association Between Dietary Habits and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Thai Adults: A Case-Control Study

Makhbuba Kalandarova,1 Ishtiaq Ahmad,1 Thin Nyein Nyein Aung,2 Saiyud Moolphate,3 Yoshihisa Shirayama,1,4 Miyoko Okamoto,1 Myo Nyein Aung,1,4,5 Motoyuki Yuasa1,4 1Department of Global Health Research, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, 113-8421, Japan; 2Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand; 3Department of Public Health, Faculty of Science and Technology, Chiang Mai Rajabhat University, Chiang Mai, 50300, Thailand; 4Faculty of International Liberal Arts, Juntendo University, Tokyo, 113-8421, Japan; 5Juntendo Advanced Research Institute for Health Sciences, Juntendo University, Tokyo, 113-8421, JapanCorrespondence: Ishtiaq Ahmad; Myo Nyein Aung, Department of Global Health Research, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Bunkyo City, Hongo, 2 Chome-1-1, Tokyo, 113-8421, Japan, Email [email protected]; [email protected]: The prevalence of T2DM is escalating in Thailand affecting over 10% of adults aged 20– 79 years old. It is imperative to identify modifiable risk factors that can potentially help mitigate the risk of developing diabetes.Objective: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between dietary habits and type 2 diabetes in Chiang Mai, Thailand.Methods: This case-control study involved 300 individuals aged 25– 74 years residing in Chiang Mai, Thailand including 150 newly diagnosed T2DM patients (cases) and 150 community residents without diabetes (controls). Dietary habits were assessed based on Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). Socio-demographic characteristics and anthropometric information of the participants were collected. Data analysis was performed using the STATA-17.Results: The case group participants were older and had a higher proportion of males compared to the control group. The case group exhibited a significantly higher consumption of meat, beans, nuts, soft drinks, and topping seasonings (p< 0.001), conversely, a lower intake of vegetables (p< 0.001), fruits (p=0.006), fish, rice (p< 0.001), eggs (p=0.032), milk products, coffee, and tea (p< 0.001) compared to the control group. Furthermore, the case group demonstrated a higher level of certain dietary practices such as a greater frequency of having meals with family, not removing visible fat from food (p< 0.001), and eating snacks between meals compared to controls. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that after adjusting for potential confounding factors not removing visible fat from food (aOR 5.61, 95% CI: 2.29– 13.7, p< 0.001) and using topping seasonings (aOR 3.52 95% CI: 1.69– 7.32 p=0.001) were significantly associated with the risk of T2DM, whereas daily vegetable intake (aOR 0.32 95% CI: 0.15– 0.68 p=0.003) was inversely associated with T2DM.Conclusion: The study findings caution against the consumption of food rich in fat and using salty seasonings, while advocating for an increased intake of vegetables to prevent the prevalence of T2DM.Keywords: Thailand, T2DM, dietary habits, food frequency questionnaire, diabetes prevention, global healt

Prospective evaluation of simply modified MODS assay: an effective tool for TB diagnosis and detection of MDR-TB

Boonchai Chaiyasirinroje1,*, Myo Nyein Aung2,3,*, Saiyud Moolphate1,4, Yuthichai Kasetjaroen5, Somsak Rienthong5, Dhanida Rienthong5, Oranuch Nampaisan1, Supalert Nedsuwan6, Wiravoot Sangchun6, Narin Suriyon7, Satoshi Mitarai4, Norio Yamada41TB/HIV Research Project, RIT, Chiang Rai, Thailand; 2Department of Public Health, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan; 3Boromrajonani College of Nursing Nakhon Lampang (BCNLP), Lampang, Thailand; 4Research Institute of Tuberculosis (RIT), Tokyo, Japan; 5Bureau of Tuberculosis, Bangkok, Thailand; 6Chiang Rai Regional Hospital, Chiang Rai, Thailand; 7Chiang Rai Provincial Health Office, Chiang Rai, Thailand *These authors contributed equally to this workBackground and setting: Thailand is one of the highest tuberculosis (TB)-burdened countries. Chiang Rai, the northernmost province of Thailand has high tuberculosis and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevalence and the laboratory workload for TB culture and drug susceptibility testing is increasing.Objectives: To evaluate the simply modified microscopic-observation drug-susceptibility assay (MODS) in the setting of a developing country.Methods: In this cross-sectional diagnostic study, a total of 202 sputum samples of clinically diagnosed TB patients were used to test the performance of MODS assay in reference to gold standard BACTEC&amp;trade; MGIT&amp;trade; 960 liquid culture system and Ogawa solid culture. Sputum samples were collected from clinically diagnosed TB patients. Culture growth rate and time to culture positivity were compared among three methods. Performance of modified MODS assay was evaluated for detection of mycobacterium drug resistance in reference to MGIT antimicrobial susceptibility test (AST).Result: Median time to culture positivity by MODS, solid, and liquid culture were 12, 30, and 6 days respectively. Compared to the drug susceptibility test (DST) result of reference liquid culture, the sensitivity and specificity of MODS for detection of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) was 85.7% and 97.5% respectively. MODS assay has a positive predicative value of 80% and negative predictive value of 96.5% for isoniazid resistance, 70% and 100% for rifampicin resistance, and 66.7% and 99.1% for MDR-TB.Conclusion: MODS is a highly effective screening test for detection of MDR-TB.Keywords: tuberculosis, drug resistance, MODS assay, Chiang Rai, Thailan

Pharmacokinetics and 48-week efficacy of nevirapine: 400 mg versus 600 mg per day in HIV-tuberculosis coinfection receiving rifampicin.

Item does not contain fulltextBACKGROUND: We aim here to determine the appropriate dose of nevirapine (NVP) in Thai HIV-tuberculosis (TB)-coinfected patients receiving rifampicin. METHODS: Thirty-two HIV-infected adults with CD4+ T-cell counts <200 cells/mm3 and active TB, receiving rifampicin for 2-6 weeks were randomized to receive either NVP 400 mg (NVP400) or 600 mg (NVP600) per day plus two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors; a 2-week NVP lead-in was performed at 200 mg once daily (OD) and 200 mg twice daily, respectively. Plasma NVP levels were determined at weeks 2, 4 and 12. Twelve-hour pharmacokinetics (PK) were obtained (n=20) at week 4. RESULTS: Baseline body weight was comparable. There were more patients with NVP plasma concentration at 12 h (C12) <3.1 mg/l at week 2 in NVP400 than in NVP600 (79% versus 19%, respectively; P=0.002). However, the proportions were comparable at weeks 4 and 12. From week 4, 12 h PK studies showed that NVP400 had lower median NVP area under the plasma concentration-0-12 h (AUC0-12 h, maximum concentration in plasma (Cmax) and C12 than NVP600 (P<0.05). Four patients in NVP600 developed NVP hypersensitivity. At week 48, the median CD4+ T-cell count rise and proportion with viral load <50 copies/ml (intention-to-treat analysis 56% versus 50% and as-treated analysis 75% versus 89%) were comparable. CONCLUSIONS: In rifampicin-treated patients, 200 mg NVP OD lead-in led to a significant short-term suboptimal NVP C12 level, while NVP 400 mg lead-in then 600 mg/day was associated with a high rate of NVP hypersensitivity. Forty-eight week efficacy was comparable. Thus, NVP 600 mg/day in rifampicin-treated patients is not recommended