Cost-effectiveness of alginic acid in combination with proton pump inhibitor for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease in systemic sclerosis patients.

BACKGROUND: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients often become refractory to proton pump inhibitors (PPI)-a standard treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)-and intolerant to PPI in combination with domperidone. PPI with alginic acid is an alternative treatment option, but alginic acid is costly. OBJECTIVES: We compared the costs and effectiveness of alginic acid plus PPI versus standard treatments (PPI with/without antacids as needed and lifestyle modifications) for GERD in SSc patients unsuitable for, or intolerant to, domperidone. METHODS: An economic evaluation using the Markov model was conducted among SSc patients aged between 40 and 65 years with GERD, having a partial or non-response to 4 weeks of standard-dose omeprazole (40 mg/day) and being unsuitable for or intolerant to domperidone. Using a societal perspective, we computed the incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) in terms of Thai baht (THB) per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) between a combination of alginic acid plus PPI and standard treatment for GERD. The lifetime time horizon was used. RESULTS: The ICER for alginic acid plus PPI versus standard treatments was 377 101 THB/QALY. According to the one-way sensitivity analysis, the cost of alginic acid was the most impactful parameter. If the market prices of alginic acid plus PPI were reduced by 61%, this treatment option would become cost-effective at the willingness-to-pay threshold of 160 000 THB/QALY (34.68 THB/USD data on 25 May 2023). Furthermore, if alginic acid were included in the public health insurance program, the national budget would be increased by 66 313 THB per patient, resulting in an overall budget increase of 5 106 101 to 8 885 942 THB compared with the standard treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Alginic acid plus PPI does not represent good value for money compared with the standard treatment among such SSc patients in Thailand unless its price is reduced significantly.

Incidence and prevalence of systemic sclerosis in Thailand in year 2017-2020: a database from the Ministry of Public Health.

BACKGROUND: A better understanding of the epidemiological profile of systemic sclerosis (SSc) in Thais could improve care, human resource deployment, and public health budgeting. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to determine the incidence and prevalence of SSc in Thailand between 2017 and 2020. METHODS: A descriptive epidemiological study was performed using the Information and Communication Technology Center, Ministry of Public Health database, comprising all types of healthcare providers during the study period. Demographic data of patients having a primary diagnosis of M34 systemic sclerosis and over 18 years of age between 2017 and 2020 were reviewed. The incidence and prevalence of SSc were calculated as well as their respective 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: The number of SSc cases in 2017 was 15,920 from a total Thai population of 65,204,797. The prevalence of SSc in 2017 was 24.4 per 100,000 populations (95% CI 24.0-24.8). The prevalence of SSc among women was 2 times greater than among men (32.7 vs. 15.8 per 100,000). The incidence of SSc was stable from 2018 to 2019 but dropped slightly in 2020 (7.2, 7.6, and 6.8 per 100,000 person-years, respectively). Most SSc cases were in northeastern Thailand (11.6, 12.1, and 11.1 per 100,000 person-years from 2018 to 2020, respectively) and the peak was between 60 and 69 years of age (24.6, 23.8, and 20.9 per 100,000 person-years from 2018 to 2020, respectively). CONCLUSION: SSc is a rare disease among Thais. The disease was commonly revealed in late middle-aged women with a peak at age 60-69 years, mainly from the northeast regions. The incidence remained stable during the study period, albeit during the emergence of the coronavirus pandemic a slight decline was recorded. Key Points • The incidence and prevalence of systemic sclerosis (SSc) vary across ethnic populations. • There is a lack of epidemiology research of SSc since the 2013 ACR/EULAR Classification Criteria for Scleroderma was adopted among Thais included Asia-Pacific population as the population has some different clinical features than those reported among Caucasians. • SSc is a rare connective disease among Thais and commonly presents in late middle-aged group of both genders, mainly in Thailand's northern and northeastern regions. • When compare to the epidemiology of SSc in Asia-Pacific, the prevalence of SSc in Thais was higher than among East Asians and the Indian population and the incidence of SSc among Thais was greater than the other Asia-Pacific population including Australian.

Pediatric Anaphylaxis: Etiology and Predictive Factors in an Emergency Setting.

Anaphylaxis is a serious allergic life-threatening condition that needs immediate treatment to prevent unfavorable outcomes. The present study revealed that the prevalence of anaphylaxis in children increased with age and the adolescent group has the most frequent anaphylaxis events. Food-induced anaphylaxis was the most common cause of anaphylaxis in pediatric population. This etiology revealed a significant correlation with a known history of food allergy in the study population, P = .029. Anaphylaxis from insect stings associated with cardiovascular symptoms, P < .001 and inclined to be severe. Univariate analysis showed predicted probability of severe anaphylaxis increased with age with an odds ratio of 1.1. This finding strengthens and supports the view that physicians should be aware of severe anaphylaxis reactions in older age group when there is a documented history of insect sting. The overall pediatric anaphylaxis patients in the study population had favorable outcomes. The authors recommended at least 24 hours hospital observation in order to observe biphasic reaction in pediatric anaphylaxis especially in adolescent age group.

Hand Hygiene Habits and Prevalence of Hand Eczema During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to explore the prevalence of and possible risk factors for hand eczema with respect to the dissemination of information about new hand hygiene habits to protect against ongoing COVID-19 cross-transmission. The authors conducted a survey among health care workers (HCWs) and non-HCW populations in Khon Kaen, Thailand. RESULTS: A total of 805 participants participated. The prevalence of hand eczema in the study population was 20.87%. There were several risk factors, including working as a HCW, having a history of previous hand eczema, having underlying atopic dermatitis, wearing gloves in everyday life, and washing hands frequently (more than 10 times/day). Hand hygiene with alcohol-based products was shown to be a risk factor for hand eczema, (OR (95% CI) 1.86 (1.03-3.35), P = .04). CONCLUSION: In terms of hand eczema prevention, we suggest that the use of alcohol-based products should be discontinued if other handwashing methods are available. The following factors increase the risk of hand eczema: being a HCW, having previous hand eczema, and having underlying atopic dermatitis. Proper strategies in terms of hand eczema prevention should be addressed, especially in this group, since we need to continue performing hand hygiene during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Household hazardous waste characterization and quantification at source in Thailand.

Thailand is facing a management crisis of both urban and rural household hazardous waste (HHW). The collection and disposal of these wastes threaten both the environment and human health. The objective of the study was to investigate the characterization and quantification of household hazardous waste at source by all local administrations in Nakhon Nayok province, Thailand. The quantity of HHW in the household waste stream constitutes 2.53% of total household wastes (about 2.90 t/day). Most HHWs were generated in the local administration level (3.2%) followed by the subdistrict (2.9%) and municipality level (1.2%). The characterization of HHWs included paint products (20.1%), household batteries (17.4%), and unused medicines (14.1%). HHW characterization can be grouped as automobile products from municipalities (38.5%), paint and its containers from the subdistricts (43.08%), and pesticides from the more rural local administrations (24.73%). Albeit the amount of HHW waste found in the household waste stream is relatively small compared to the overall waste stream, it can still cause significant damage to human health and environment. This is because the elements and compounds that comprise hazard wastes are toxic at very low levels. Programs are needed to increase appropriate management of HHW to mitigate human health and environmental contamination risks. Reducing and separating HHW at source can minimize these problems during both normal and pandemic situations.Implications: The study of household hazardous waste (HHW) characterization and quantification is very importance for HHW management, especially study at source. In this study we found the smallest province in Thailand can produce HHW volume nearly three tons per day. The trend in consumption of household products may be increase. The government should therefore be more focused on HHW at source management in both normal and pandemic situations.

Etiological and predictive factors of pediatric urticaria in an emergency context.

BACKGROUND: Urticaria is common in pediatric population and is caused by various etiologies which usually differ among different age groups. The different etiologies require different management strategies. Thus, understanding detailed of the etiologies of urticaria in children would help pediatricians to perform appropriate initial treatment. METHODS: A cross-sectional epidemiological study of all patients aged under 18-year-old with the diagnosis of urticaria from any causes entered in the emergency department during January 1st, 2016 to December 31st, 2019 by collecting the data from the Health Object Program®, an authorized electronic medical records program, at the Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Thailand. RESULTS: There were total of 515 urticaria patients aged under 18 years old at the emergency department. The ages of patients ranged from 8 months to 18 years with a median age of 7 years (IQR 3.17-12.08). The majority of the patients were in the preschool-aged group (40.97%), followed by the school-aged (28.16%), adolescent (22.14%), and infant (8.74%). Six major etiologic categories were identified in the present study. The most common cause of urticaria was infection (51.26%), followed by idiopathic urticaria (34.37%), inhalants (6.99%), drugs (4.08%), foods (2.52%), and insect stings (0.78%). CONCLUSIONS: Having underlying allergic diseases had a strong association with all identified causes of urticaria in the study population, of which, food and inhalation etiologies had a significant difference when compared to the other identified causes. The present study has found that infection was the most common cause of acute urticaria in children. This etiology (infection-induced urticaria) usually presents concurrent with fever, however, non-febrile symptoms were also presented. Therefore, in the pediatric population, pediatricians should always look for infection as the cause of urticaria even in patients without pyrexia.

Hospital-acquired malnutrition in paediatric patients: a multicentre trial focusing on prevalence, risk factors, and impact on clinical outcomes.

Alteration of nutrient metabolism during hospital stay may cause a deterioration in patients' nutritional status. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and possible risk factors for nutritional deterioration in hospitalized children. A multicentre prospective study was conducted among the patients aged 1 month to 18 years in tertiary-care hospitals, between December 2018 and May 2019. Demographic data, illness, and nutritional assessment on the first and the last day of admission were collected. There were 623 patients enrolled in this study with the median age of 4.3 years. Two thirds of the patients had at least one underlying disease. Eighty-eight percent of the patients were admitted with mild medical conditions including a scheduled cycle of chemotherapy or immunosuppressive drugs, minor infection, and non-invasive procedures. The prevalence of nutritional deterioration (reduction in body mass index ≥ 0.25 Z-score) was 24% and was associated with a significantly higher rate of nosocomial infection (24% vs. 11%, p < 0.001) compared to patients without hospital-acquired malnutrition. Risk factors included moderate to severe medical conditions (AOR 1.90, 95% CI 1.09-3.31, p = 0.024), pneumonia (AOR 1.85, 95% CI 1.05-3.28, p = 0.034), seizure (AOR 2.82, 95% CI 1.28-6.19, p = 0.01), and surgery (AOR 2.98, 95% CI 1.60-5.56, p = 0.001). Nutritional management showed a significant reduction in the incidence of hospital-acquired malnutrition and a trend towards a 60% decrease in infectious complications in patients with moderate to severe medical conditions.Conclusions: Approximately one fourth of paediatric patients developed malnutrition during hospitalization. Nutritional screening, assessment, and treatment should be implemented to improve the outcomes of hospitalized paediatric patients. What is Known: • Malnutrition at admission has a negative impact on outcomes of patients, including prolonged hospitalization, increased costs of care, and a higher rate of nosocomial infection. What is New: • Hospital-acquired malnutrition can occur regardless of prior nutritional status and is predominantly related to illness severity. • Malnourished patients with nutritional intervention experience an improvement in their nutritional status as well as a lower risk of developing hospital morbidity during hospitalization.

The Effects of the Face Mask on the Skin Underneath: A Prospective Survey During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

PURPOSE: The study aimed to explore the prevalence and possible risk factors to prevent the face mask related adverse skin reactions during the ongoing COVID-19 after a recommendation of face mask wearing for public use in Thailand. RESULTS: The prevalence of face mask related adverse skin reactions was 454 cases (54.5%), of which acne was the most frequent (399; 39.9%), followed by rashes on the face (154; 18.4%), and itch symptoms (130; 15.6%). Wearing a surgical mask showed a higher risk of adverse skin reaction compared to a cloth mask, OR (95% CI) = 1.54 (1.16-2.06). A duration of face mask wearing of more than 4 hours/day and the reuse of face masks increased the risk of adverse skin reactions compared to changing the mask every day, adjusted OR(95% CI) = 1.96 (1.29-2.98), and 1.5 (1.11-2.02). CONCLUSION: Suggestions were made for wearing a cloth mask in non-health care workers (HCW) to decrease the risk of face mask related adverse skin reactions. This suggestion could potentially help in decreasing the demand of surgical masks which should be reserved for the HCW population during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Diaper rashes can indicate systemic conditions other than diaper dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: Although the majority of rashes in the diaper area are caused by irritation from urine and feces, irritant diaper dermatitis; IDD, there are some less common but potentially serious cutaneous eruptions associated with systemic diseases that should not be discounted. METHODS: This prospective descriptive study aimed to explore variation in cutaneous disease in the diaper area. It was conducted as a prospective descriptive study between October 2016 and November 2019 in the pediatric department of a tertiary-level hospital. RESULTS: Three hundred consecutive patients with rashes in the diaper area were enrolled. The most common diagnosed was IDD (125 cases; 41.7%), followed by rashes exacerbated by the diaper (101 cases; 33.67%) and non-diaper-related rashes (74 cases; 24.67%). CONCLUSIONS: Our finding suggests that when diagnosing rashes that occur in the diaper area, general pediatricians should consider, in addition to IDD, the possibility of less-common conditions. The simultaneous presence of cutaneous lesions at other sites was linked to diagnoses of systemic diseases other than IDD, (P < 0.001).

Diaper Dermatitis: Prevalence and Associated Factors in 2 University Daycare Centers.

Purpose: Diaper dermatitis is uncommon in children older than 2 years because the majority of these children are diaper independent. However, diaper dermatitis still occurs, especially in children in daycare settings. This study attempted to determine the prevalence of diaper dermatitis and its associated factors among children aged 2 to 4 years attending daycare centers. Cross-sectional analysis and tests for correlation were conducted to determine the factors associated with diaper dermatitis among the study population. Results: The prevalence of diaper dermatitis during the study period was 17.2%. Factors significantly correlated with the occurrence of diaper dermatitis were beginning toilet training later than 2 years of age (odds ratio [OR] = 2.84, 95% CI = 1.17-6.86, P = .02) and the use of oral antibiotics (OR = 15.92, 95%CI = 3.57-70.94, P < .001). Conclusion: Two major adjustable factors for preventing diaper dermatitis in the study population were toilet training before 2 years of age and avoiding the use of unnecessary oral antibiotics. These results may help in devising a preventive protocol for diaper dermatitis among this age group in the future.

Common misdiagnoses and prevalence of dermatological disorders at a pediatric tertiary care center.

OBJECTIVES: Dermatological disorders are common in general pediatric practice. This study aimed to examine common skin problems and the manner in which they tend to be misdiagnosed. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2015 to December 2016 using medical record data from the Pediatric Dermatological Outpatient Unit at Khon Kaen University, Faculty of Medicine. RESULTS: A total of 1551 visits by 769 patients were documented during the study period. A total of 114 presenting diseases were recorded. The most common skin disease in the study population was dermatitis (unspecified) (88/769, 11.4%), followed by atopic dermatitis (76/769, 9.8%) and infantile hemangioma (72/769, 9.3%). There was a total of 55 (48.2%) misdiagnosed diseases. Some unique cutaneous diseases were undiagnosed because of their rarity. However, the percentages of common cutaneous diseases, such as tinea capitis and molluscum contagiosum, which had been misdiagnosed, were also high (62.50% [95% confidence interval = 24.49-91.48] and 71.43% [95% confidence interval = 29.04-96.33], respectively). CONCLUSION: A large percentage of misdiagnoses of common cutaneous diseases may be due to general pediatricians being undereducated in the field of dermatology. Accurate recognition and appropriate management of these conditions should be emphasized for educating general pediatricians in the future.

Diaper dermatitis: a survey of risk factors in Thai children aged under 24 months.

BACKGROUND: To identify the prevalence and risk factors associated with diaper dermatitis in Thai children aged 1-24 months. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of 1153 participants using structural questionnaires, which was conducted at Khon Kaen University Faculty of Medicine Pediatric department in Thailand. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to test the association between diaper dermatitis and its possible risk factors. RESULTS: The prevalence of diaper dermatitis among the study population was 36.1%, a rate which significantly decreased with age. The highest prevalence was found in subjects who were one to six months old. Risk factors that had a statistically significant association with diaper dermatitis in both univariate and multivariate analysis were i) diaper changing fewer than three times/night, ii) previous episodes of diaper rash, iii) using cloth diapers, and iv) topical application of baby talcum powder to the diaper area. CONCLUSIONS: Frequent diaper changings during the daytime do not compensate for fewer changings during the night. Moreover, the use of baby talcum powder on the diaper area significantly increased the risk of diaper dermatitis among the study population. These findings should be applied in future preventive strategies for diaper dermatitis in this age group.

Diverse cutaneous manifestation of Langerhans cell histiocytosis: a 10-year retrospective cohort study.

Cutaneous manifestation is a common presentation of LCH and is usually a leading clue for the disease diagnosis. Having cutaneous lesions did not show a significantly early age onset at diagnosis compared to those without skin lesions, P value = 0.71. In the present study, cutaneous findings were found as 77.7%. Seborrheic dermatitis-like lesions were the most common cutaneous type (42.8%), followed by papules/nodules/masses (28.5%), petechiae/hemorrhagic lesions (17.8%), and eczematous lesions (10.7%). Time to diagnosis of LCH presented with seborrheic dermatitis-like lesions was significantly longer than other cutaneous presentations, P value = 0.0011.Conclusion: Patients with LCH who had the manifestations of seborrheic dermatitis-like lesions can have diagnosis delayed due to the difficulty in distinguishing these lesions from normal seborrheic dermatitis lesions. Petechiae/hemorrhagic cutaneous signs in addition to the normal seborrheic dermatitis is the clue for early detection of the disease. To improve early detection of LCH, general pediatricians should be alerted to be aware of these skin symptoms, and if they persist, a dermatologist, pediatric if available, should be immediately consulted. What is Known? • Cutaneous manifestation is a common presentation of LCH and is usually a leading clue for the disease diagnosis. What is New? • Patients with LCH who have the manifestations of seborrheic dermatitis-like lesions can have a delayed diagnosis due to the difficulty in distinguishing normal from seborrheic dermatitis lesions. • Petechiae/hemorrhagic cutaneous signs in addition to the normal seborrheic dermatitis are the clue to the early disease detection.