Epidemiology of hip fractures in Thailand.

This retrospective study examining hip fracture incidence, hip fracture trends, and the annual hospitalization costs for hip fractures in a population aged 50 years and older within the Universal Health Coverage System revealed that the incidence of hip fractures and the annual hospitalization costs for hip fractures increased significantly from 2013 to 2022. PURPOSE: To examine the annual incidence of hip fractures over 10 years (2013-2022), hip fracture trends, and the annual hospitalization costs for hip fractures in a population aged 50 years and older within the Universal Health Coverage System. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted. Hip fracture hospitalizations were identified using ICD-10. Data on the number of hip fracture hospitalizations, population aged ≥ 50 years, and hospitalization costs were obtained. The primary outcome was the annual incidence of hip fractures. The secondary outcomes were hip fracture incidence by 5-year age group, the annual hospitalization costs for hip fractures, and the number of hip fractures in 6 regions of Thailand. RESULTS: The hip fracture incidence increased annually from 2013-2019 and then plateaued from 2019-2022, with the crude incidence (per 100,000 population) increasing from 112.7 in 2013 to 146.7 in 2019 and 146.9 in 2022. The age-standardized incidence (per 100,000 population) increased from 116.3 in 2013 to 145.1 in 2019 and remained at 140.7 in 2022. Increases in the crude incidence were observed in both sexes (34% in females and 21% in males; p < 0.05). The annual hospitalization costs for hip fractures increased 2.5-fold, from 17.3 million USD in 2013 to 42.8 million USD in 2022 (p < 0.001). The number of hip fractures increased in all six regions of Thailand across the 10-year study period. CONCLUSION: Osteoporotic hip fractures are a significant health concern in Thailand. The incidence and the annual hospitalization costs for hip fractures increased significantly from 2013 to 2022.

Biological age as estimated by baseline circulating metabolites is associated with incident diabetes and mortality.

OBJECTIVES: It is unclear how metabolomic assessment of biological aging performs in non-White populations and whether such an approach can predict future mortality. We aimed to evaluate the application of serum metabolomics combined with machine learning methodologies to predict incident diabetes and mortality in a Thai population. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: We analyzed serum samples and mortality data over 11 years from among 454 participants with no previous history of diabetes and with a fasting plasma glucose ≥85th percentile (5.4 mmol/L) but <7 mmol/L. MEASUREMENTS: Untargeted serum metabolomics were assessed using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. A deep artificial neural network was used to predict biological age based on serum metabolite profiles and chronological age. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 40.5 ± 6.4 years, and 70.8% were men. We found a significant positive correlation between metabolomic age and chronological age (r = 0.71, P < 0.001). After 5 years, 61 of 404 participants with available glycated hemoglobin status (15.1%) progressed to diabetes. Chronological age was associated with incident diabetes but was not significant (P = 0.08), after adjusting for BMI and sex. Metabolomic age was significantly related to incident diabetes after controlling for BMI and sex (P < 0.05). Over the 11-year follow-up, 10 participants died owing to non-accidental causes. When metabolomic age and chronological age were included together in the model, metabolomic age (but not chronological age) was associated with mortality, independent of age, sex, and BMI. Among all identifiable metabolites, beta-D-mannosylphosphodecaprenyl and phosphatidylserines were the five leading metabolites associated with mortality. CONCLUSION: We concluded that serum metabolomic profile was associated with incident diabetes as well as mortality over our 11-year study period, which may render it potentially useful in assessing biological aging in humans.

Tremella fuciformis beverage improves glycated hemoglobin A1c and waist circumference in overweight/obese prediabetic subjects: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Prediabetes is increasing worldwide. Previous studies have demonstrated the potential of ß-glucan derived from oat or barley to lower blood glucose, body weight, and plasma lipid levels. These findings offer a potentially attractive strategy for reducing the risk of diabetes in prediabetic individuals. However, the effects of ß-glucan from Tremella fuciformis on glucose metabolism and anthropometric measurements in humans have yet to be studied. We hypothesized that ß-glucan from Tremella fuciformis may improve metabolic parameters in subjects with prediabetes. This study aimed to investigate the effects of a once-daily beverage containing Tremella fuciformis (snow mushroom) on anthropometric measurements, metabolic biomarkers, and insulin sensitivity in overweight/obese subjects with prediabetes. METHODS: In this double-blind RCT, 56 participants were randomly assigned to receive either a Tremella fuciformis beverage or placebo daily for 12 weeks. All parameters were assessed at baseline and after the intervention. RESULTS: After 12 weeks, participants in the intervention group exhibited significant improvements in glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1C; 6.03 ± 0.26% at baseline vs. 5.96 ± 0.25% at 12 weeks, p = 0.047, Cohen's d = 0.39) and waist circumference (95.2 ± 12.51 cm at baseline vs. 93.46 ± 11.48 cm at 12 weeks, p = 0.022, Cohen's d = 0.45). There were no adverse events reported. CONCLUSION: This exploratory study demonstrated that Tremella fuciformis beverage consumption may improve HbA1C and waist circumference in overweight/obese prediabetic individuals. Further research, including larger-scale RCTs and mechanistic studies, is needed to confirm these findings and optimize the therapeutic potential of Tremella fuciformis derivatives in managing prediabetes and preventing type 2 diabetes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Registered in Thai Clinical Trials Registry (14/07/2021, TCTR20210714004).

Effects of Very Low-Calorie Diet versus Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery on Body Composition in Patients with Obesity.

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is the most effective treatment for severe obesity. A very low-calorie diet (VLCD) is another effective dietary intervention to treat obesity. This study evaluated the effect of a VLCD versus RYGB on weight reduction, changes in body composition and the resolution of comorbidities during a 12-week period. Individuals with obesity at the obesity clinic, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Thailand with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 37.5 kg/m2 or ≥32.5 kg/m2 with obesity-related complications were recruited. Treatment options, either RYGB or VLCD, were assigned depending on patients' preferences and physicians' judgment. The analysis included 16 participants in the RYGB group and 15 participants in the VLCD group. Baseline characteristics were similar between groups; nevertheless, the participants in the VLCD group were significantly younger than those in the RYGB group. The number of patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) was slightly higher in the RYGB group (43.8% vs. 33.3%, p = 0.552). Additionally, patients in the RYGB group had a longer duration of T2D and were treated with anti-diabetic agents, while VLCD patients received only lifestyle modifications. At 12 weeks, total and percentage weight loss in the RYGB and VLCD groups, respectively, were as follows: -17.6 ± 6.0 kg vs. -15.6 ± 5.1 kg (p = 0.335) and -16.2% ± 4.3% vs. -14.1% ± 3.6% (p = 0.147). Changes in biochemical data and the resolution of comorbidities were similar between the groups at 12 weeks. A 12-week VLCD resulted in similar weight loss and metabolic improvement compared with RYGB. Large-scale studies with long follow-up periods are needed to elucidate whether VLCD is a viable alternative treatment to bariatric surgery.