Elevated transmission of upper respiratory illness among new recruits in military barracks in Thailand.

BACKGROUND: New recruits within military barracks present conditions favorable for the spread of respiratory pathogens. However, respiratory pathogen transmission in such confined settings in the tropics has not been well studied. METHODS: Recruits in four successive Royal Thai Army basic training classes living in military barracks were monitored for the symptoms of influenza-like illness (ILI) or upper respiratory illness (URI). Classes 1 and 2 were also monitored after basic training. Nasal/throat swabs from acute illnesses were collected and tested by influenza RT-PCR (all four classes). In addition, class 1 had multiplex PCR performed along with the analysis of bed locations within the barracks. RESULTS: Influenza-like illness/upper respiratory illness rates ranged from 4·7 to 6·9 per 100 recruit-weeks in the four classes and generally decreased during the course of basic training (P < 0·05 in three of four classes). Rates during basic training were 1·7 (95% CI: 1·29, 2·29) and 2·5 (95% CI: 1·5, 4·1) times higher than after basic training (classes 1 and 2, respectively). In class 1, coronavirus, parainfluenza virus, and rhinovirus were the most commonly identified respiratory pathogens; only one influenza PCR-positive infection was detected in all four classes. Bed locations of URI/ILI cases in class 1 tended to be in closer proximity to each other. CONCLUSION: Basic training recruits in military barracks in the tropics had high rates of acute respiratory illnesses with illness patterns consistent with external seeding followed by substantial internal transmission. Our findings may contribute to control measures in similar confined settings both within and outside the military

Prevalence and associates of obesity and overweight among school-age children in a rural community of Thailand

Purpose Information about overweight and obesity among students in rural areas of Thailand is limited. Therefore, we aimed to determine overweight and obesity prevalences and associated factors among school-aged children in a rural community of Thailand. Methods We selected 9 public schools through cluster sampling in 2 provinces located in central Thailand in 2016. Anthropometric measurements were measured using standard techniques, classified as overweight (>1 standard deviation [SD]) and obese (>2 SD) with respect to their age and sex using 2007 World Health Organization reference charts. Standardized questionnaires on risk factors were sent to parents to be completed together with their child. Results Among 1,749 students, 8.98% had overweight and 7.26% had obesity. Mean age (range) was 11.5 years (5–18 years). Independent factors associated with overweight and obesity included primary school student (reference as secondary school) (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.25; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.24–4.08; P=0.07), mother’s body mass index (aOR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.02–1.12; P=0.001), self-employed father (aOR, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.12–3.55; P=0.018), number of siblings (aOR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.47–0.81; P=0.001), having sibling(s) with obesity (aOR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.20–2.77; P=0.005), more than one (aOR, 7.16; 95% CI, 2.40–21.32; P3 ladles of rice/meal (aOR, 2.69; 95% CI, 1.11–6.46; P= 0.27), watching 2 hours of television/day (aOR, 2.60; 95% CI, 1.36–4.96; P=0.004). Conclusion Many sociodemographic, dietary, and behavioral factors were related to overweight and obesity among school-aged children not only in urban but also rural communities of Thailand

Prevalence and associated factors of ischemic heart disease (IHD) among patients with diabetes mellitus: a nation-wide, cross-sectional survey

Abstract Background Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD) is the first ranked among most common causes of death involving cardiovascular and other diseases. The information on the prevalence of IHD in Thailand is lacking especially among patients with diabetes mellitus. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of IHD among patients with diabetes mellitus and to determine factors associated with IHD in a nation-wide survey. Methods A cross-sectional study to assess national outcomes among patients with diabetes who visited 831 public hospitals in Thailand was conducted in 2013 to evaluate status of care among patients with diabetes aged at least 18 years who received medical treatment in the target hospital for the last 12 months. Results A total of 25,902 patients with diabetes were included in this study. IHD was detected among 918 patients (3.54%; 95%CI 3.32–3.77). Multivariate analysis was conducted to determine which factors were most associated with IHD, and the results showed age (AORs 1.05; 95%CI 1.04–1.05), being male (AORs 1.78; 95%CI 1.53–2.07), hypertensive comorbidity (AORs 2.10; 95%CI 1.68–2.62), being in Health Region 4 (AORs 1.93; 95%CI 1.54–2.35), presenting hyperglycemic crisis (AORs 1.53; 95%CI 1.14–2.06) and insulin therapy (AORs 1.40; 95%CI 1.17–1.66) were the highest associated factors for IHD in this population. Conclusion Our data emphasized that IHD was a problem among patients with diabetes. Diabetic patients should be regularly assessed for IHD and their risk factors should be better controlled. Moreover, the Ministry of Public Health managers and clinicians should provide further preventative strategies to attenuate cardiovascular disease

Association between obesity and new-onset heart failure among patients with hypertension in Thailand

Abstract Background In Thailand, the epidemiological data on the relationship between obesity and heart failure (HF) among high-risk populations was limited. We assessed the association between body mass index (BMI) and the new-onset HF among people with hypertension (HTN), and also assessed the effect modifier of uncontrolled HTN on this association. Methods We analyzed the data obtained from the 2018 Thailand DM/HT study database. Thai people with HTN aged 20 years and older receiving continuous care at outpatient clinics in hospitals nationwide were included. The new-onset HF was defined regarding the ICD-10 as I50 in the medical records within 12 months. Obesity was defined as BMI $$\ge$$ ≥ 25 kg/m2. Multivariable log-binomial regression analysis was used to determine the association between BMI and new-onset HF and presented as the adjusted risk ratio (aRR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Results A total of 35,756 participants were included in the analysis. In all, 50.0% of the participants had BP control for the last two consecutive visits. The mean BMI was 25.1 $$\pm$$ ± 4.7 kg/m2. New-onset HF occurred in 75 participants (0.21%; 95% CI 0.17–0.26). After adjusting for potential confounders, an elevated BMI was associated with new-onset HF (p value for quadratic trend < 0.001). In comparison with participants with normal BMI (18.5–22.9 kg/m2), the aRR for new-onset HF was 1.57 (95% CI 0.80–3.07) and 3.97 (95% CI 1.95–8.10) in those with BMI 25.0–29.9, and ≥ 30.0 kg/m2. For participants with obesity, aRR for new-onset HF was 2.05 (95% CI 1.24–3.39) compared to non-obese participants. The study found that among patients with control BP, obesity was associated with a higher risk of new-onset HF with an adjusted RR of 2.33 (95% CI 1.12–4.83). For those with uncontrolled BP, the adjusted RR was 1.83 (95% CI 0.93–3.58), but there was no heterogeneity with p value = 0.642. Conclusion An increased BMI had a higher risk for new-onset HF among Thai people with HTN. Obesity was independently associated with new-onset HF among people with HTN, regardless of uncontrolled HTN. Our findings highlight that weight reduction is crucial for mitigating the risk of HF development in HTN patients, regardless of their BP control status

Additional file 1: of Prevalence and associated factors of ischemic heart disease (IHD) among patients with diabetes mellitus: a nation-wide, cross-sectional survey

Univariate analysis of factor associated with ischemic heart disease in diabetic patients. (XLSX 18.7 kb

Impaired Glomerular Filtration Rate in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Subjects: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study in Thailand

Background. Type 2 diabetic mellitus (T2DM) patients with impaired renal function have a higher risk of mortality, and often progress to end-stage renal disease. The study aims to determine the prevalence of kidney disease and investigate the relationship between various factors and impaired renal function in a large population of patients with T2DM. Methods. We conducted a cross-sectional study among 30,377 patients from a nationwide diabetes study involving 602 Thai hospitals. Impaired glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was defined as 7% (adjusted OR 2.53 (95%CI=1.38 to 4.63)) were found to be associated with a significantly increased risk of impaired GFR among T2DM patients. Conclusion. Almost 40% of patients with T2DM in a nationwide cross-sectional study in Thailand had impaired GFR. Advanced age, albuminuria, hyperuricemia, hypertension, HA1C 7% were independently associated with increased prevalence of impaired GFR

Prevalence of dyslipidemia associated with complications in diabetic patients: a nationwide study in Thailand

Abstract Background Dyslipidemia is an important modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease. It is diagnosed by the presence of an abnormal lipid profile, primarily with elevated levels of plasma cholesterol, triglyceride, or both, or reduced levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. However, some studies have reported increased risk of ischemic stroke with elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels and increased risk of cardiovascular mortality independent of LDL-C levels in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. Methods In this cross-sectional study, data were included for Thai adults with diabetes from the Diabetes Mellitus/ Hypertension (DM/HT) study, 2010–2014 (data was collected by the Medical Research Network of the Consortium of Thai Medical Schools). The target population comprised T2DM patients who were treated at a hospital for more than 12 months. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to determine factors associated with dyslipidemia. Results In total, 140,557 participants (average age, 60 years) were enrolled, with a dyslipidemia prevalence of 88.9% in the cohort. The factors associated with dyslipidemia included female sex (aOR: 1.47, 95% CI: 1.38–1.56); age < 50 years (aOR: 1.16, 95% CI: 1.10–1.22); waist circumference ≥ 90 cm in males and ≥ 80 cm in females (aOR: 1.23, 95% CI: 1.16–1.31); treatment at a primary care unit (aOR: 1.28, 95% CI: 1.23–1.33); and a history of unknown stroke (aOR: 1.10, 95% CI: 1.02–1.19), coronary revascularization (aOR: 0.85, 95% CI: 0.79–0.91), diabetic nephropathy (aOR: 1.06, 95% CI: 1.01–1.12), or renal insufficiency (aOR: 1.08, 95% CI: 1.02–1.13). Conclusions Dyslipidemia is prevalent among Thai T2DMpatients and is associated with gender; age; obesity; central obesity; treatment at a primary care unit; and a history of unknown stroke, coronary revascularization, diabetic nephropathy, and renal insufficiency. Our study results will help increase the awareness of healthcare providers regarding dyslipidemia in diabetic patients. To reduce cardiovascular risk, healthcare professionals should provide regular follow-up and proper advice and ensure primary prevention of vascular complications. Improved education and increased self-awareness regarding the need to change behaviors and regular intake of medication would help decrease dyslipidemia prevalence among diabetic patients