Ideal cardiovascular health and all-cause or cardiovascular mortality in a longitudinal study of the Thai National Health Examination Survey IV and V.

The relationship of ideal cardiovascular health (CVH) and health outcomes has been rarely assessed in middle-income countries. We determined the ideal CVH metrics and association with all-cause and cardiovascular (CVD) mortality in the Thai population. We used baseline data from two rounds of the National Health Examination survey (15,219 participants in 2009 and 14,499 in 2014), and assessed all-cause and CVD deaths until 2020. The prevalence of 5-7 ideal CVH metrics in 2009 was 10.4% versus 9.5% in 2014. During a median follow-up of 7.1 years, the all-cause and CVD mortality rates were 19.4 and 4.6 per 1000 person-years for 0-1 ideal CVH metrics, and 13.0 and 2.1, 9.6 and 1.5, 6.0 and 1.0, and 2.9 and 0.4 per 1000 person-years for 2, 3, 4, and 5-7 ideal CVH metrics, respectively. Participants with 2, 3, 4, or 5-7 ideal metrics had a significantly lower risk of mortality than those with 0-1 ideal CVH metrics (adjusted hazard ratios: 0.75, 0.70, 0.60, and 0.47 for all-cause, and 0.54, 0.52, 0.50, and 0.31 for CVD, respectively). Individuals with a higher number of the modified ideal CVH metrics have a lower risk of all-cause and CVD mortality.

2022 Thai Hypertension Society guidelines on home blood pressure monitoring.

In 2021, the Universal Health Coverage Payment Scheme of Thailand approved home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) devices for reimbursement. National utilization of HBPM devices will begin in 2022. This article provides the recommendations for HBPM from the Thai Hypertension Society. In this report, the authors review the benefits of HBPM and recommend confirming the diagnosis of hypertension by HBPM. Devices for HBPM should be the automated and validated upper arm cuff devices. HBPM should be ideally done for seven consecutive days before each clinic visit and take at least two readings (1 min apart) in the morning and before going to bed. The average blood pressure (BP) of 125-134/75-84 mmHg is classified as high normal BP and hypertension is BP of 135/85 mmHg or more. Target BP levels depend on the age of the patients; that is, < 125/75 mmHg for patients aged 18-65 years old, and <135/85 mmHg for patients over 65 years of age.

Validation of Uright model TD 3127AT wireless-portable ambulatory blood pressure monitoring device with timer trigger modification, standard cuff size, in normotensive and mild hypertensive patients of Thailand registry (Thai valid ambulatory blood pressure monitoring).

BACKGROUND: Nowadays, automated blood pressure (BP) monitoring devices are commonly used by patients as a part of standard medical care for hypertension. The timer trigger was modified into a wireless automated home BP monitoring (HBPM) device to expand its potential use as ambulatory BP monitoring. However, the BP measurement accuracy in this modified device remains unknown. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess the accuracy of Uright model TD 3127AT, which is an automated HBPM device with a timer trigger modification, following an International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 81060-2:2018 guidelines in the Thai population. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included normotensive and hypertensive Thai participants following the ISO 81060-2:2018 guidelines from August 2021 to February 2022. This study aimed to compare the BP readings from an automated sphygmomanometer, Uright model TD 3127AT, TaiDoc Technology Corporation, with a timer trigger to a standard manual BP measurement. RESULT: BPs were measured in 85 participants with a mean age ± SD of 38.39 ± 13.91 years, and 69% were females. The mean SBP ± SD (range) was 117.46 ± 18.63 (84-176) mmHg and the mean DBP ± SD (range) was 74.84 ± 10.70 (42-108) mmHg. The mean BP difference between observers and devices was 0.66 ± 6.81 mmHg for SBP and -0.96 ± 6.33 mmHg for DBP. The SD of the averaged pair determination per individual was ±4.45 mmHg for SBP and ±3.46 mmHg for DBP. The accuracy of the timer-triggered device was found to be acceptable when evaluated according to the ISO 81060-2: 2018 guidelines. CONCLUSION: An automated sphygmomanometer, Uright model TD 3127AT, TaiDoc Technology Corporation, with timer trigger modification passed the ISO 81060-2:2018 guidelines.

Home Blood Pressure Control and Drug Prescription Patterns among Thai Hypertensives: A 1-Year Analysis of Telehealth Assisted Instrument in Home Blood Pressure Monitoring Nationwide Pilot Project.

BACKGROUND: Several interventions have been proposed to improve hypertension control with various outcomes. The home blood pressure (HBP) measurement is widely accepted for assessing the response to medications. However, the enhancement of blood pressure (BP) control with HBP telemonitoring technology has yet to be studied in Thailand. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the attainment of HBP control and drug prescription patterns in Thai hypertensives at one year after initiating the TeleHealth Assisted Instrument in Home Blood Pressure Monitoring (THAI HBPM) nationwide pilot project. METHODS: A multicenter, prospective study enrolled treated hypertensive adults without prior regular HBPM to obtain monthly self-measured HBP using the same validated, oscillometric telemonitoring devices. The HBP reading was transferred to the clinic via a cloud-based system, so the physicians can adjust the medications at each follow-up visit on a real-life basis. Controlled HBP is defined as having HBP data at one year of follow-up within the defined target range (<135/85 mmHg). RESULTS: A total of 1,177 patients (mean age 58 ± 12.3 years, 59.4% women, 13.1% with diabetes) from 46 hospitals (81.5% primary care centers) were enrolled in the study. The mean clinic BP was 143.9 ± 18.1/84.3 ± 11.9 mmHg while the mean HBP was 134.4 ± 15.3/80.1 ± 9.4 mmHg with 609 (51.8%) patients having HBP reading <135/85 mmHg at enrollment. At one year of follow-up after implementing the HBP telemonitoring, 671 patients (57.0%) achieved HBP control. Patients with uncontrolled HBP had a higher prevalence of dyslipidemia and greater waist circumference than the controlled group. The majority of uncontrolled patients were still prescribed only one (36.0%) or two drugs (34.4%) at the end of the study. The antihypertensive drugs were not uptitrated in 136 (24%) patients with uncontrolled HBP at baseline. Calcium channel blocker was the most prescribed drug class (63.0%) followed by angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (44.8%) while the thiazide-type diuretic was used in 18.9% of patients with controlled HBP and 16.4% in uncontrolled patients. CONCLUSION: With the implementation of HBP telemonitoring, the BP control rate based on HBP analysis was still low. This is possibly attributed to the therapeutic inertia of healthcare physicians. Calcium channel blocker was the most frequently used agent while the diuretic was underutilized. The long-term clinical benefit of overcoming therapeutic inertia alongside HBP telemonitoring needs to be validated in a future study.

Hypertension Subtypes among Thai Hypertensives: An Analysis of Telehealth-Assisted Instrument in Home Blood Pressure Monitoring Nationwide Pilot Project.

BACKGROUND: White-coat hypertension (HT), masked HT, HT with white-coat effect, and masked uncontrolled HT are well-recognized problems of over- and undertreatment of high blood pressure in real-life practice. However, little is known about the true prevalence in Thailand. OBJECTIVES: To examine the prevalence and characteristics of each HT subtype defined by mean home blood pressure (HBP) and clinic blood pressure (CBP) using telemonitoring technology in Thai hypertensives. METHODS: A multicenter, observational study included adult hypertensives who had been diagnosed for at least 3 months based on CBP without the adoption of HBP monitoring. All patients were instructed to manually measure their HBP twice a day for the duration of at least one week using the same validated automated, oscillometric telemonitoring devices (Uright model TD-3128, TaiDoc Corporation, Taiwan). The HBP, CBP, and baseline demographic data were recorded on the web-based system. HT subtypes were classified according to the treatment status, CBP (≥or <140/90 mmHg), and mean HBP (≥or <135/85 mmHg) into the following eight subtypes: in nonmedicated hypertensives, there are four subtypes that are normotension, white-coat HT, masked HT, and sustained HT; in treated hypertensives, there are four subtypes that are well-controlled HT, HT with white-coat effect, masked uncontrolled HT, and sustained HT. RESULTS: Of the 1,184 patients (mean age 58 ± 12.7 years, 59% women) from 46 hospitals, 1,040 (87.8%) were taking antihypertensive agents. The majority of them were enrolled from primary care hospitals (81%). In the nonmedicated group, the prevalence of white-coat and masked HT was 25.7% and 7.0%, respectively. Among the treated patients, the HT with white-coat effect was found in 23.3% while 46.7% had uncontrolled HBP (a combination of the masked uncontrolled HT (9.6%) and sustained HT (37.1%)). In the medicated older subgroup (n = 487), uncontrolled HBP was more prevalent in male than in female (53.6% vs. 42.4%, p=0.013). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first nationwide study in Thailand to examine the prevalence of HT subtypes. Almost one-fourth had white-coat HT or HT with white-coat effect. Approximately half of the treated patients especially in the older males had uncontrolled HBP requiring more intensive interventions. These results emphasize the role of HBP monitoring for appropriate HT diagnosis and management. The cost-effectiveness of utilizing THAI HBPM in routine practice needs to be examined in the future study.

Type 2 diabetes, impaired fasting glucose, and their association with increased hepatic enzyme levels among the employees in a university hospital in Thailand.

The purpose of the present study was to examine the association between abnormal hepatocellular functions and abnormal fasting glucose level in the employees in a university hospital in Bangkok, Thailand. A cross-sectional data analysis was conducted among 2790 workers who were 35-60 years old and participated in both the annual fasting plasma glucose (FPG) examination and the baseline questionnaire survey during 2001-2005. The prevalence rates (95% confidence interval; CI) of impaired fasting glucose (IFG) were 10.4 (9.1-11.7) and 20.3 (17.0-23.9) percent respectively for women and men, while those of type 2 diabetes were 3.1 ( 2.4-3.9) and 6.5 (4.6-8.9) respectively. After controlling for conventional risk factors, only the alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level was significantly associated with increased abnormal FPG This association was particularly obvious for the DM. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that the type 2 diabetes and ALT association was also evident in the Thai population.

Prevalence and management of prehypertension and hypertension by geographic regions of Thailand: the Third National Health Examination Survey, 2004.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of prehypertension and hypertension, and management of hypertension, by geographic regions of Thailand. METHODS: Using a stratified, multistage sampling design, data from a nationally representative sample of 39 290 individuals aged > or = 15 years were collected by interview, physical examination and blood sample. RESULTS: The prevalence of hypertension and prehypertension weighted to the national 2004 population was 22.0% [95% confidence interval (CI) = 20.5-23.6] and 32.8% (95% CI = 31.5-34.1), respectively, with a higher prevalence in men compared to women. Hypertension was more common in urban compared to rural men, but similar between urban and rural women. Despite some variation, the prevalence of hypertension and prehypertension was relatively uniform across geographical regions. Of those identified as having hypertension in the survey, 69.8% (95% CI = 67.8-71.7) were unaware that they had hypertension. Although the majority of those who were aware (78.2%; 95% CI = 75.8-80.5) had taken blood pressure-lowering drugs in the last 2 weeks, of these only 36.6% (95% CI = 33.3-40.0) had blood pressure < 140/90 mmHg. Rural populations and those from the economically poorer Northeast region were more likely to be unaware that they had hypertension. CONCLUSION: Compared to previous surveys, the prevalence of hypertension and prehypertension is rising rapidly, and is spread relatively evenly across regions of Thailand. Levels of awareness of hypertension were low across the country. A challenging task remains in improving screening, treatment and control of hypertension at the same time as promoting healthier lifestyles.

Feasibility, safety, and mid-term efficacy of cardiac resynchronization therapy in patients with severe heart failure and ventricular conduction delay: Chulalongkorn experience.

BACKGROUND: Heart failure is a major and growing public health problem in developed and developing countries. Despite major advances in medical therapy, morbidity and mortality remain high. Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) has been proposed as an adjunctive therapy in patients with drug-refractory heart failure and ventricular conduction delay. Short and long-term studies have demonstrated the clinical benefits of CRT. OBJECTIVE: The present study was designed to assess the feasibility, safety, and mid-term efficacy of CRT in patients with severe heart failure and ventricular conduction delay in the institute. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Ten patients with severe heart failure in New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class III or IV with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 35%, QRS duration >120 ms with left bundle branch block morphology received CRT At baseline, and 6 months after implantation, the following parameters were evaluated: NYHA class, QRS duration, LVEF N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro BNP) level, 6-minute walking distance, SF-36 quality-of-life (QOL) score, and number of heart failure visit. RESULTS: All clinical parameters improved significantly at 6 months. NYHA class decreased from 3.5 +/- 0.5 to 2.4 +/- 0.7 (p < 0.01). QRS duration decreased from 145 +/- 22 ms to 126 + 6 ms (p < 0.01). LVEF increasedfrom 21 +/- 6% to 31 +/- 12% (p < 0.01). NT-pro BNP level decreased from 2503 +/- 1953 pg/ml to 767 +/- 342 pg/ml (p < 0.01). The 6-minute walking distance increased from 153 +/- 122 m to 278 +/- 128 m (p < 0.01). QOL score improved from 66 +/- 14 to 98 +/- 25 (p < 0. 01). The number of heart failure visits was reduced from 3.8 +/- 3.7 per year to 0.5 +/- 0.8 visit per year (p < 0.01). Seventy percent of patients were free of heart failure visit for one year after implantation. One patient had sudden cardiac death eleven months after implantation. There was no procedure-related mortality. One patient had left ventricular lead dislodgement 3 months after implantation. CONCLUSION: In the present study, CRT was safe and effective in improving heart failure symptom, functional status, LV function, and quality of life. CRT also reduced heart failure hospitalization in the presented severe heart failure and ventricular conduction delay patients.

HLa-class II (DRB & DQB1) in Thai sudden unexplained death syndrome (Thai SUDS) families (Lai-Tai families).

Thai Sudden Unexplained Death Syndrome (Thai SUDS), or Lai-Tai, is a major health problem among rural residents of northeastern Thailand. The cause has been identified as a genetic disease. SUDS, a disorder found in Southeast Asia, is characterized by an abnormal electrocardiogram with ST-segment elevation in leads V1-V3, identical to that seen in Brugada Syndrome (Brugada Sign, BS) and sudden death due to ventricular fibrillation and cardiac arrest (represents an arrhythmogenic marker that identifies high-risk for SUDS). SUDS victims have a sleeping disorder (narcolepsy). The HLA-DR locus is tightly associated with narcoleptic Japanese patients and HLA-DR2, DQ haplotypes were also found in Oriental narcoleptic patients. These circumstances prompted us to study the association between the disease and HLA Class II by HLA DNA typing using a PCR-SSO method, with five Thai SUDS families (18 BS-positive subjects as the cases, and 27 BS-negatives as the controls). We found that the HLA-DRB1 *12021 allele was significantly increased in BS-positive subjects (p = 0.02; OR = 4.5), the same as the HLA-DRB1*12021-DQB1 *0301/09 haplotype (p = 0.01; OR = 7.95). Our data suggests that the HLA-DRB1* 12021 allele associated with BS and the HLA-DRB1*12021-DQB1 *0301/09 is a haplotype susceptible to arrhythmogenic markers that can identify a high risk for SUDS.

The temporal variations of presumptive sudden death of Thai people in Singapore and Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: Sudden Unexplained Death Syndrome (SUDS) is the major cause ofsudden death in Thai adults, especially Thai migrant workers in Singapore and Taiwan. Temporal variations of sudden death of Thai people abroad are not well known. OBJECTIVE: To study the month, day and time of death of presumptive sudden death (PSD) in Singapore, Taiwan. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The authors reviewed the death certificates of Thai people who died in Singapore and Taiwan and previously SUDS reported cases form Singapore. The time, day and month ofPSD and Non-PSD deaths in Singapore and Taiwan were compared. RESULTS: From January 1994 to January 1995, 46 SUDS died in Singapore (gr A), from May 2000 to August 2002, 39 PSD died in Singapore (gr B), from January 1999 to May 2002, 100 presumptive or probable sudden unexplained death syndrome (PSUDS) died in Taiwan (gr C) and 254 Non-PSD death aboard (gr D) as controls. The annual SUDS/PSD death rates (per 100,000) in Singapore were 91.1 in 1994, 30.7 in 2001 and 33.5 in Taiwan in 2000. All but two SUDS/PSD cases were male. The mean age in gr A + B and C were 34.9 + 7.5 and 33.1 +/- 6.0 years old respectively. In gr. A, B and C, compared with gr D, Tuesday was the weekday of lowest SUDS/PSD death rate and Saturday was the highest. (p < 0.05). Time of death in gr B and C were peak during midnight to 8 a.m. and there was some trend of seasonal variation in occurrence of SUDS/PSD with the peak death rate in April and trough death rate in September; which is significantly different from gr D (1.49% vs 10.89% of all deaths, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The presented data demonstrate some temporal variations in SUDS/PSD death aboard. The sudden death of Thai people in Singapore and Taiwan may be more prevalent in the "work-to-rest" than "rest-to-work" periods.

Efficacy and safety of simvastatin in Asian and non-Asian coronary heart disease patients: a comparison of the GOALLS and STATT studies.

BACKGROUND: Asians are thought to be more responsive to the lipid-lowering effects of statins than non-Asians although there are no head-to-head trials that examine this perception. OBJECTIVE: To compare the results of the GOALLS and STATT studies that used similar titrate-to-goal protocols with 20 mg up to 80 mg simvastatin in Asian and non-Asian coronary heart disease (CHD) patients. METHODS: GOALLS (N = 198; included non-Asians and Asians) and STATT (N = 133; included Asians only) were both multi-center, open-label 14-week studies in CHD patients with serum low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels 115 mg/dL-180 mg/dL and triglycerides (TG) levels < or = 400 mg/dL. Simvastatin was titrated from 20 mg/day up to 80 mg/day in order to achieve the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) LDL-C target < or = 100 mg/dL. The primary efficacy variable was the percentage of patients attaining the NCEP LDL-C target at Week 14. Secondary endpoints included proportion of patients achieving the European Society of Cardiology/European Atherosclerosis Society/European Society of Hypertension (European) LDL-C target < or = 115 mg/dL at Week 14 and percentage change in lipid parameters. Safety and tolerability were assessed by monitoring adverse experiences and safety laboratory tests. Fifteen Asian patients were part of the GOALLS cohort and their data were compared separately with results of non-Asians from GOALLS and Asians from the STATT study. RESULTS: After 14 weeks of simvastatin treatment, 87.1% of GOALLS non-Asians, 85.7% of GOALLS Asians, and 78.2% of STATT patients attained the NCEP LDL-C target. At Week 14, 94.4%, 92.9%, and 91.7% of the GOALLS non-Asians, GOALLS Asians, and STATT patients achieved the European LDL-C target, respectively. The average treatment doses to attain NCEP and European targets were comparable among groups. The percentage reductions in lipid parameters from baseline to week 14 were similar among groups except, changes in high density lipoprotein cholesterol and apolipoprotein A-I favored Asian subjects. There was also a greater reduction in TG in the STATT study, but this was not consistent with TG reductions experienced by Asians in the GOALLS study. In both studies, simvastatin was generally well tolerated by all patients across the dosage range of 20 mg-80 mg. No cases of rhabdomyolysis or myopathy were reported in either study. CONCLUSIONS: A great majority of CHD patients is able to achieve LDL-C treatment goals (up to 90%) on simvastatin regardless of racial background. Simvastatin treatment at doses of 20 mg-80 mg is well-tolerated in Asian and non-Asian CHD patients. This side-by-side comparison provides evidence that Asian and non-Asian CHD populations respond similarly to comparable doses of simvastatin.

Short-term effects of an intensive lifestyle modification program on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant systems in patients with coronary artery disease.

The purpose of this study was to compare the short-term effects of an intensive lifestyle modification (ILM) program on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant systems in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Twenty-two patients in the control group continued to receive their conventional treatment with lipid-lowering drugs, whereas 22 patients in the experimental group were assigned to intensive lifestyle modification (ILM) without taking any lipid-lowering agent. The ILM program comprised dietary advice on low-fat diets, high antioxidants and high fiber intakes, yoga exercise, stress management and smoking cessation. After 4 months of intervention, patients in the experimental group revealed a statistically significant increase in plasma total antioxidants, plasma vitamin E and erythrocyte glutathione (GSH) compared to patients in the control group. There was no significant change in plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), a circulating product of lipid peroxidation, in either group. We concluded that the ILM program increased circulating antioxidants and reduced oxidative stress in patients with CAD.

Linkage analyses and SCN5A mutations screening in five sudden unexplained death syndrome (Lai-tai) families.

Sudden Unexplained Death Syndrome (SUDS) (or in Thai Lai-tai) share the same ECG pattern as Brugada Syndrome: RSR' and ST segment elevation in V1 to V3. Brugada Syndrome is a genetic disorder with the inheritance pattern of autosomal dominant (using the ECG pattern and unexplained sudden death as phenotype) and the cardiac sodium channel gene (SCN5A) mutations caused this syndrome. To determine whether SUDS was associated with the same mutations as Brugada Syndrome, the authors performed a linkage studies on 5 SUDS families with the Brugada Syndrome ECG pattern and found one family could not be excluded from linkage to SCN5A. However, the direct sequencing in 8 reported mutations on exon 5, 12, 17, 18 and 28 in this family failed to demonstrate the mutations. It was concluded that SUDS mutations maybe a novel mutation different from previously reported mutations, further genetic studies in SCN5A and other candidate genes might elucidate the molecular basis of SUDS.

Prevalence of Dyslipidemia and Management in the Thai Population, National Health Examination Survey IV, 2009.

This study determined the prevalence and management of dyslipidemia in Thai adults using data from the Thai National Health Examination Survey IV in 2009. Dyslipidemia was defined based on the Third Adult Treatment Panel guidelines. A total of 19,021 adults aged 20 yr and over were included. Mean (SE) levels of total cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, and triglycerides were 206.4 (1.03), 46.9 (0.34), 128.7 (1.09), and 131.4 (2.20) mg/dL, respectively. Prevalence of high LDL-C, low HDL-C, and high triglycerides were 29.6 %, 47.1 %, and 38.6%, respectively. Compared with individuals in the north and northeast, residents in Bangkok and Central region had significant higher levels of LDL-C but lower level of HDL-C. Triglyceride level was the highest in the northeast residents. Overall, 66.5% of Thais had some forms of dyslipidemia. Awareness and treatment of high LDL-C among those with high LDL-C were 17.8% and 11.7%, respectively. Among individuals aware of high LDL-C, those at highest CHD risk compared with those at low risk had higher percentage of treatment (73.1% versus 51.7%, resp.) but lower percentage of control at goal (32.9% versus 76.4%, resp.). Various forms of dyslipidemia are common in Thai adults, with a low level of awareness and treatment of high LDL-C.

Changes in prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension in Thai population, 2004-2009: Thai National Health Examination Survey III-IV.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the changes in prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension and their metabolic risk factors in Thai population between 2004 and 2009. METHODS: The Thai National Health Examination Survey (NHES) in 2004 and 2009 data were used. Blood pressure and anthropometric measurements were performed. Prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension of Thai population aged at least 15 years were calculated. Analyses were weighted to the probability of sampling. RESULTS: The prevalence of hypertension in 2004 and 2009 were relatively stable at approximately 21.0%. There was improvement in awareness of hypertension, from 18.2% for men and 33.0% for women in 2004 to 39.5 and 59.4% in 2009, respectively. The high blood pressure control rates improved from 4.8 to 14.4% for men and from 10.8 to 27.2% for women, respectively (all P < 0.05). The improvement in awareness, treatment and control of hypertension was also observed in individuals with diabetes, obesity and hypercholesterolemia. However, among hypertensive individuals, there were increases in proportions of obesity (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m(2)) between two surveys: from 39.1 to 47.5% in men and from 54.6 to 62.9% in women, respectively (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Despite improvement in awareness and control of hypertension in Thai population, a large proportion of hypertensive individuals remained suboptimally controlled. Strengthening measures to control high blood pressure and metabolic risk factors, especially obesity and hypercholesterolemia, in individuals with hypertension are needed.

Microalbuminuria and metabolic risk factors in patients with type 2 diabetes in primary care setting in Thailand.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of microalbuminuria and associated risk factors in patients with type 2 diabetes in primary care. METHODS: Clinical information of diabetic patients in 70 primary care units in Thailand was collected in a cross-sectional survey. Multinomial logistic regression model was used to examine several clinical risk factors with microalbuminuria and macroalbuminuria. RESULTS: A total of 4162 patients were included. The prevalence of microalbuminuria was 39.12% and macroalbumninuria was 7.83%. The proportion of patients with HbA1c<7% was 37.9%. Independent risk factors for microalbuminuria and macroalbuminuria included HbA1c (adjusted OR 1.54, 95%CI 1.30-1.83 and 2.06, 95%CI 1.49-2.84 per unit increase in HbA1c, respectively), triglyceride >/=1.7mmol/L (1.31, 1.11-1.56 and 1.44, 1.06-1.98), hypertension (1.31, 1.10-1.54 and 1.64, 1.23-2.20), and duration of diabetes >/=5 years (1.31, 1.11-1.55 and 2.39, 1.74-3.28). Metabolic syndrome was associated with macroalbuminuria (OR 1.36, 95%CI 1.01-1.84). CONCLUSION: The high prevalence of microabuminuria and suboptimal glycemic control for the diabetic patients were found to highlight the need to improve in control of glycemia and metabolic risk factors.

Incidence and predictors of abnormal fasting plasma glucose among the university hospital employees in Thailand.

The purposes of this study were to determine the incidence rates and predictors of type 2 diabetes and impaired fasting plasma glucose (IFG) among the employees of a university hospital in Bangkok, Thailand. Totally 2370 and 1619 workers without diabetes and IFG at baseline, respectively, who were +35 years old were followed up during 2001-2005. Type 2 diabetes incidence rates (95% CI) were 13.6 (8.4-22.3) and 6.4 (4.5-9.1) per 1000 PYs, respectively, for men and women, while those of the IFG were 37.8 (26.3-54.4) and 23.6 (19.3-29.0) per 1000 PYs, respectively, for both genders. Baseline FBS predicted future IFG risk even at the levels as low as 63-70 mg/dl. The OR (95% CI) of IFG for those with baseline FPG of 63-70, 71-80, and >80 mg/dl-compared to those with baseline FPG < or =62 mg/dl-were 2.51 (1.12-5.64), 5.39 (2.51-11.56), and 8.30 (3.67-18.75), respectively. Future diabetes risk was observed only in those with baseline FPG of 96 mg/dl or higher, with the OR (95% CI) of 6.0 (2.29-15.75). In conclusion, baseline FPG even at the level as low as 63-70 mg/dl predicts future IFG risk among a hospital employee group in Thailand, while increased diabetes risk was found only in those at the FBS level of > or =96 mg/dl.