HLA Association among Thai Patients with Diffuse and Limited Cutaneous Systemic Sclerosis.

This study aimed to clarify the association of HLA Class I and II with dcSSc and lcSSc in Thais. HLA typing for 11 gene loci (Class I: HLA-A, B and C, and Class II [HLA-DR, DP and DQ]) was carried out using the Next Generation DNA Sequencing method (three fields) in 92 Thai patients with systemic sclerosis (55 dcSSc, 37 lcSSc) and 135 healthy controls (HCs). The distribution of HLA alleles in patients with dcSSc and lcSSc was compared. When compared with HCs, the AF of A*24:02:01, A*24:07:01, B*27:04:01 and B*27:06 showed an increasing trend in lcSSc patients without statistical significance. DRB1*15:02:01, DRB5*01:02:01, DQA1*01:01:01, DQB1*05:01:24, DPA1*02:01:01 and DPB1*13:01:01 increased significantly in dcSSc patients. DQB1*05:01:24 and DPB1*13:01:01 also increased significantly in lcSSc patients, but less significantly than in dcSSc patients. The association of DPB1*05:01:01 with lcSSc was significantly protective. HLA-A*24:02:01, B*27:06 and C*03:04:01 formed a three-locus haplotype that also constituted an eight-locus haplotype with DRB1*15:02:01, DQA1*01:01:01, DQB1*05:01:24, DPA1*02:01:01 and DPB1*13:01:01. There was a possibility that HLA Class I would play a role in the pathogenesis of lcSSc, while Class II played more of a role in the dcSSc in Thai patients.

Prevalence of thyroid dysfunctions and thyroid autoantibodies in Thai patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: An age- and sex-matched controlled study.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of thyroid dysfunctions and thyroid autoantibodies in Thai systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, and compare them with age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs). Associations between thyroid dysfunctions and SLE disease activity, and associated factors for thyroid dysfunctions in SLE also were determined. METHOD: One hundred SLE patients, without apparent clinical thyroid disease, attended the Rheumatology Clinic between November 2021 and October 2022, were enrolled into this study. HCs were matched to SLE cases by age and sex (ratio of 1:1). Clinical manifestations, SLE disease activity and medication received were collected in all SLE patients. Thyroid function tests and thyroid autoantibodies (anti-thyroglobulin: anti-TG and anti-thyroid peroxidase: anti-TPO) were collected from all participants. RESULTS: When compared with HCs, SLE patients had higher prevalence of thyroid dysfunctions, hypothyroidism and euthyroid sick syndrome (28% vs. 7%, p < .001, and 12% vs. 2%, p = .010, and 6% vs. 0%, p = .013, respectively). Prevalence of isolated hypothyroxinemia was higher numerically in SLE patients (9% vs. 3%, p = .074). Prevalence of anti-TG or anti-TPO was no different between SLE patients and HCs (16% vs. 18%, p = .707). There was no association between SLE disease activity and abnormal thyroid functions or thyroid autoantibodies. Family history of thyroid disease and prednisolone use (>10 mg/day) were associated factors for thyroid abnormalities with adjusted OR (95% CI) of 6.13 (1.58-23.75), p = .009 and 4.00 (1.37-11.70), p = .011, respectively. CONCLUSION: Thyroid dysfunctions were more prevalent in SLE patients. Family history of thyroid disease and prednisolone use (>10 mg/day) were independent associated factors of thyroid abnormalities.

Comparison of Clinical Features, Treatment and Outcomes of Lupus Nephritis Between Patients With Late- and Early-Onset Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Controlled Study.

Background: Studies have found that late-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients (age at diagnosis ≥ 50 years) had less severe disease and milder clinical course, but with higher organ damage and mortality rate than early-onset ones (age at diagnosis < 50 years). Unfortunately, direct comparison of renal manifestations and treatment outcomes between late- and early-onset SLE patients has been determined rarely. This study aimed to compare lupus nephritis (LN) manifestations, treatment, and outcomes between late- and early-onset in SLE patients. Methods: Medical records of SLE patients in a lupus cohort at a tertiary care university hospital, seen between January 1994 and June 2020, were reviewed. Late- and early-onset patients were matched with year at SLE diagnosis at a ratio of 1:2 (62 and 124 patients, respectively). Those with LN were identified and analyzed. Results: At SLE onset and end of the study, LN was identified in 29 and 33 late-onset patients, respectively, and 58 and 90 early-onset patients, respectively. At the end of the study, there were 39 and 214 LN flares in late- and early-onset patients, respectively: giving an incident rate (IR) (95% confidence interval (CI))/100 person-years of LN and active LN flares of 2.00 (0.75 - 5.33) vs. 6.11 (4.32 - 8.64), P = 0.020, and 5.78 (2.75 - 12.12) vs. 18.28 (13.93 - 24.00), P = 0.001, respectively. Late-onset patients received a higher proportion of moderate- to high-dose corticosteroids, but fewer immunosuppressive drugs. In all LN flares, no difference existed between the two groups in serum creatinine, degree of proteinuria, and proportion of patients with nephrotic range proteinuria or rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis, and outcomes in terms of complete, partial or no-remission were similar between them. Mortality rate was higher in late-onset patients (27.27% vs. 6.67%, P = 0.004). Conclusion: This matched controlled study of year at SLE diagnosis showed that late-onset SLE patients had lower prevalence of LN and LN flares. Although they received fewer immunosuppressive drugs, their renal manifestations and treatment outcomes were no different from those in early-onset patients.

Non-loading versus loading low-dose colchicine in acute crystal-associated arthritis: A double-blinded randomized controlled study.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to compare the efficacy of non-loading versus loading low-dose colchicine in patients with acute crystal-associated arthritis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All in-patients who were admitted to Chiang Mai University Hospital with non-arthritis disease and developed acute crystal-associated arthritis during admission (within 48 h after arthritis onset) were invited to join this study. The patients were randomized into two groups. Patients in Group I (non-loading group) and Group II (loading group) received colchicine at 1.2 and 2.4 mg in the first 24 h, respectively. The primary outcome was the patients' pain response at 24 h after treatment. RESULTS: Of 80 patients, 49 were acute gouty arthritis, and 31 acute calcium pyrophosphate (CPP) arthritis. The mean [95% CI] pain score was no different between Groups I and II at the baseline level (6.46[5.72-7.19] vs. 6.654[5.85-7.44], p = .867) and at 24 h (3.13[2.43-3.82] vs. 3.18[2.42-3.93], p = .907). The proportion of patients with ≥50% pain reduction was not different (57.50% vs. 55.00%, p = .822). Sensitivity analysis among patients with a baseline pain score of ≥4 showed the same pattern of response. Mild diarrhea was common and comparable in both groups. Subgroup analysis according to renal function (eGFR < 60 vs. ≥60 mL/min/1.73 m2 ) or type of crystals (acute gouty arthritis vs. acute CPP arthritis) also showed the same pattern of response. CONCLUSION: Non-loading low-dose colchicine was as effective as loading low-dose colchicine in patients with acute crystal-associated arthritis, regardless of renal function or type of crystals.

Comparison of clinical features, disease activity, treatment and outcomes between late-onset and early-onset patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. A sex- and year at diagnosis-matched controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have compared the clinical features and outcomes of late- and early-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. However, these previous studies were uncontrolled. The current study aimed to compare late- and early-onset SLE patients while controlling for sex and year at diagnosis (± 1 year). METHODS: The medical records of SLE patients in a lupus cohort from January 1994 to June 2020 were reviewed. Late-onset patients were identified as those with an age at diagnosis ≥ 50 years. The early-onset patients (age at diagnosis < 50 years) were matched by sex and year at diagnosis with the late-onset patients at a ratio of 2:1. Clinical manifestations, disease activity (mSLEDAI-2K), organ damage scores, treatment, and mortality were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The study comprised 62 and 124 late- and early-onset patients, respectively, with a mean follow-up duration of 5 years. At disease onset, when comparing the early-onset patients with the late-onset patients, the latter group had a higher prevalence rate of serositis (37.0% vs. 14.5%, p < 0.001) and hemolytic anemia (50.0% vs. 33.9%, p = 0.034) but lower prevalence rate of malar rash (14.5% vs. 37.1%, p = 0.001), arthritis (41.9% vs. 62.1%, p = 0.009), leukopenia (32.3% vs. 50.0%, p = 0.022) and lymphopenia (50.0% vs. 66.1%, p = 0.034). The groups had similar SLE disease activity (7.41 vs. 7.50), but the late-onset group had higher organ damage scores (0.37 vs. 0.02, p < 0.001). The rates of treatment with corticosteroids, antimalarial drugs, or immunosuppressive drugs were not different. At their last visit, the late-onset patients still had the same pattern of clinically significant differences except for arthritis; additionally, the late-onset group had a lower rate of nephritis (53.2% vs. 74.2%, p = 0.008). They also had a lower level of disease activity (0.41 vs. 0.57, p = 0.006) and received fewer antimalarials (67.7% vs. 85.5%, p = 0.023) and immunosuppressive drugs (61.3% vs. 78.2%, p = 0.044), but they had higher organ damage scores (1.37 vs. 0.47, p < 0.001) and higher mortality rates/100-person year (3.2 vs. 1.1, p = 0.015). After adjusting for disease duration and baseline clinical variables, the late-onset patients only had lower rate of nephritis (p = 0.002), but still received fewer immunosuppressive drugs (p = 0.005) and had a higher mortality rate (p = 0.037). CONCLUSIONS: In this sex- and year at diagnosis-matched controlled study, after adjusting for disease duration and baseline clinical variables, the late-onset SLE patients had less renal involvement and received less aggressive treatment, but had a higher mortality rate than the early-onset patients.

The Prevalence and Risk Factors for Peripheral Arterial Disease in Adults Living With Human Immunodeficiency Virus.

Adult patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) appear to be at high risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is particularly concerning as it is associated with myocardial infarction and stroke. Nevertheless, the incidence of PAD is still unknown. The authors prospectively recruited HIV-infected patients from the outpatient clinic of the Department of Internal Medicine in our center. We assessed ankle-brachial index (ABI) using the VaSera system™ (Fukuda Denshi Co., Ltd). Patients were grouped into 3 ABI levels: an ABI ≤0.90 was considered abnormal and evidence of PAD, an ABI 1.0 to 1.40 was considered normal, and 0.91 to 0.99 was considered borderline. Cardiovascular risk factors were compared across all 3 levels of ABI and were analyzed using multivariate ordinal logistic regression. Eight hundred ninety-two patients were recruited. The mean age was 42.9 ± 10.0 years and 458 (51.4%) were males. There were 704, 149, and 39 patients in the normal, borderline, and abnormal ABI groups, respectively. The latter group of 39 patients was considered to have PAD, yielding a prevalence of 4.37% (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.21-5.93). Sex ratio, age, education levels, smoking rate, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, prevalence of comorbidities with hypertension and coronary heart disease, median triglyceride level, reduced kidney function and HIV-1 RNA undetectable ratio, duration of HIV diagnosis, and duration on antiretroviral treatment were significantly different among 3 ABI subgroups. Independent risk factors associated with PAD were being female (odds ratio [OR]: 2.86; 95% CI: 1.94-4.22), being <30 years of age (OR: 4.66; 95% CI: 2.78-7.81), being overweight (BMI 25-25.9; OR: 0.39; 95% CI: 0.20-0.76), being obese (BMI: 30; OR: 3.53; 95% CI: 1.51-8.22), having a diastolic blood pressure ≥80 mmHg (OR: 0.50; 95% CI: 0.35-0.71), and having detectable HIV-1 RNA ≥20 copies/mL (OR: 1.85; 95% CI: 1.13-3.03). In conclusion, the prevalence of PAD in HIV-infected Thais was 4.37% in infected patients on therapy attending outpatient clinics. For this population, PAD appears to be relatively poorly correlated with traditional risk factors of CVD.

Comparison of clinical features, disease activity, treatment and outcomes between late-onset and early-onset patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. A sex- and year at diagnosis-matched controlled study

Abstract Background Several studies have compared the clinical features and outcomes of late- and early-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. However, these previous studies were uncontrolled. The current study aimed to compare late- and early-onset SLE patients while controlling for sex and year at diagnosis (± 1 year). Methods The medical records of SLE patients in a lupus cohort from January 1994 to June 2020 were reviewed. Late-onset patients were identified as those with an age at diagnosis ≥ 50 years. The early-onset patients (age at diagnosis < 50 years) were matched by sex and year at diagnosis with the late-onset patients at a ratio of 2:1. Clinical manifestations, disease activity (mSLEDAI-2K), organ damage scores, treatment, and mortality were compared between the two groups. Results The study comprised 62 and 124 late- and early-onset patients, respectively, with a mean follow-up duration of 5 years. At disease onset, when comparing the early-onset patients with the late-onset patients, the latter group had a higher prevalence rate of serositis (37.0% vs. 14.5%, p < 0.001) and hemolytic anemia (50.0% vs. 33.9%, p = 0.034) but lower prevalence rate of malar rash (14.5% vs. 37.1%, p = 0.001), arthritis (41.9% vs. 62.1%, p = 0.009), leukopenia (32.3% vs. 50.0%, p = 0.022) and lymphopenia (50.0% vs. 66.1%, p = 0.034). The groups had similar SLE disease activity (7.41 vs. 7.50), but the late-onset group had higher organ damage scores (0.37 vs. 0.02, p < 0.001). The rates of treatment with corticosteroids, antimalarial drugs, or immunosuppressive drugs were not different. At their last visit, the late-onset patients still had the same pattern of clinically significant differences except for arthritis; additionally, the late-onset group had a lower rate of nephritis (53.2% vs. 74.2%, p = 0.008). They also had a lower level of disease activity (0.41 vs. 0.57, p = 0.006) and received fewer antimalarials (67.7% vs. 85.5%, p = 0.023) and immunosuppressive drugs (61.3% vs. 78.2%, p = 0.044), but they had higher organ damage scores (1.37 vs. 0.47, p < 0.001) and higher mortality rates/100-person year (3.2 vs. 1.1, p = 0.015). After adjusting for disease duration and baseline clinical variables, the late-onset patients only had lower rate of nephritis (p = 0.002), but still received fewer immunosuppressive drugs (p = 0.005) and had a higher mortality rate (p = 0.037). Conclusions In this sex- and year at diagnosis-matched controlled study, after adjusting for disease duration and baseline clinical variables, the late-onset SLE patients had less renal involvement and received less aggressive treatment, but had a higher mortality rate than the early-onset patients.

Association of HLA-DRB1*15:02:01, DQB1*05:01:24 and DPB1*13:01:01 in Thai patients with systemic sclerosis.

HLA studies in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) have shown variable results. This study aimed to examine the association of HLA class I and II risk alleles in Thai SSc patients, and clarify the contribution of risk HLA alleles to the pathogenesis and clinical manifestations. Blood samples from 92 SSc patients and 135 healthy controls (HCs) were collected. Eleven loci of the HLA class I (HLA-A, B, and C) and class II (HLA-DR, DP, and DQ) genes were determined by a 3-field (6-digit) analysis using the Next Generation DNA Sequencing (NGS) method. Anti-topoisomerase-I antibodies (ATA) and anti-centromere antibodies (ACA) were identified by ELISA methods. Allele frequencies (AFs) of HLA-DRB1*15:02:01, DRB5*01:02:01, DQB1*05:01:24, DPB1*13:01:01, and DQA1*01:01:01 were increased significantly in the whole SSc and SSc patients with positive ATA, but with negative ACA (SSc/ATA+/ACA-). Of these, DPB1*13:01:01 was the most susceptible allele. The DRB1*15:02:01, DQB1:05:01:24, and DPB1*13:01:01 alleles were estimated to locate on the unique haplotype, and haplotype frequency was estimated to be significantly higher than those in the HCs (p = 0.002). The linkage analysis of DRB1*15/16 revealed that most of the DRB1*15:02:01 alleles were linked to DRB5*01:02:01 or DRB5*01:08:01N. The linkage of DRB1*16:02:01 to DRB5*01:01:01 was observed frequently. The associations of risk alleles with several SSc clinical features were observed. HLA-DRB1*15:02:01, DRB5*01:02:01, DQB1*05:01:24, and DPB1*13:01:01 on the unique haplotype were associated with the pathogenesis and clinical features of SSc in Thai patients. The linkage of DRB1*15:02:01 to DRB5*01:08:01N was observed commonly in northern Thai patients.

Translation, internal consistency, reliability and validity of the Thai version of Gout Assessment Questionnaire version 2.0 (GAQ 2.0).

OBJECTIVES: To translate the Gout Assessment Questionnaire version 2.0 (GAQ2.0) with Gout Impact (GI) Scale (GIS) into Thai and determine its psychometric property in gout patients with acute arthritis (acute arthritis group) and during the intercritical period (chronic gout group). METHODS: Translation followed the ISPOR recommendations. Cronbach's α, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and standardized response mean (SRM) were used to determine internal consistency, reliability and responsiveness to change, respectively. Correlations between GI subscales with generic health-related quality of life (HRQoL) questionnaires (SF-36, HAQ-DI and EQ-5D-5L) and gout clinical parameters were determined. RESULTS: The acute arthritis group and the chronic gout group comprised 27 and 92 patients, respectively. Internal consistency was sufficient for all GI subscales (Cronbach's α = 0.80-0.98), reliability was moderate to good in most GI subscales (ICC = 0.54-0.88) and responsiveness to change was moderate to large in most GI subscales (SRM = 0.43-0.98). The GI subscales correlated better with SF-36 than HAQ-DI and EQ-5D-5L. In the acute arthritis group, the unmet gout treatment needs subscale showed large and moderate negative correlation with tophi and serum uric acid, respectively. In the chronic gout group, the gout concern overall subscale had statistically significant, moderate correlation with overall gout severity rated by the patients and number of gout attacks over the past year, while the well-being during attack subscale and total GIS score had statistically significant, moderate correlation with overall gout severity rated by the patients. CONCLUSION: The Thai GAQ2.0 GIS showed acceptable internal consistency, reliability and responsiveness to change and correlated significantly with generic HRQoL questionnaires and clinical parameters. Key Points • The Thai GAQ2.0 GIS showed acceptable internal consistency, reliability and responsiveness to change in gout patients both during acute attack and during the intercritical period • The GI subscales showed significant correlation with SF-36 and HAQ questionnaires and gout clinical parameters in gout patients both during acute attack and during the intercritical period • The Thai GAQ2.0 GIS subscales should be used in conjunction with generic HRQoL for complete HRQoL assessment in gout patients.

Disease Activity and Rate and Severity of Flares During Peripartum Period in Thai Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: An Age at Diagnosis and Disease Duration Matched Controlled Study.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare disease activity and rate and severity of flares between pregnant and nonpregnant systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. METHODS: Medical records of pregnant SLE patients seen between January 1993 and June 2017 were reviewed. Nonpregnant SLE controls were matched by age at diagnosis and disease duration before pregnancy. Systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity and flares were determined by the cSLEDAI (clinical Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index) and Safety of Estrogens in Lupus Erythematosus National Assessment-SLEDAI Flare Index, respectively. Disease activity was measured from 6 months before conception (-6 months) until the postpartum period. The repeated measures mixed model, Cox regression, and cumulative hazard plots were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Ninety pregnancies occurred in 77 patients. The cSLEDAI scores from -6 months to the postpartum period were comparable between the pregnancy and control group, but slightly yet significantly higher in the controls at conception (mean ± SEM, 3.57 ± 0.45 vs 1.90 ± 0.36; p = 0.019). When compared with the controls, during the pregnancy and postpartum period, the pregnancy group did not have significantly higher incidence of flare (41.11% vs 28.89%, p = 0.086 and 7.78% vs 11.11%, p = 0.445, respectively) or flare category (severe flare) (75.68% vs 53.85%, p = 0.070 and 85.71% vs 70.00%, p = 0.603, respectively). The flare incidence rate (95% confidence interval)/100 patient-months in the pregnancy and control group was 6.75 (4.89-9.32) and 4.34 (2.96-6.38), respectively, giving the adjusted hazards for flare (95% confidence interval) of 1.54 (0.91-2.61) (p = 0.110). CONCLUSIONS: There was no overall significant increase in SLE disease activity, flare incidence, and flare severity in pregnant SLE patients when compared with their properly matched nonpregnant SLE controls.

Pregnancy outcomes between pregnant systemic lupus erythematosus patients with clinical remission and those with low disease activity: A comparative study.

Objectives: This study aims to compare pregnancy outcomes between systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients who attained clinical remission based on the Definition of Remission in SLE (DORIS) and those with lupus low disease activity based on Low Lupus Disease Activity State (LLDAS). Patients and methods: Between January 1993 and June 2017, a total of 90 pregnancies (one twin pregnancy) from 77 patients (mean age: 26.9±4.8 years; range, 17.9 to 37.3 years) were included in the study. The clinical remission and the LLDAS groups were modified into modified clinical remission and LLDAS groups, respectively by omitting Physician Global Assessment (PGA). The clinical SLE disease activity index (cSLEDAI) score was used for LLDAS. Results: Pregnancies in 49 patients occurred, when they were in modified clinical remission and in 57 in modified LLDAS. There was no significant difference in demographic characteristics, disease activity, or medication received at conception between the two groups. Pregnancy outcomes were similar between the modified clinical remission and the modified LLDAS groups in terms of successful pregnancy (83.67% vs. 84.21%), full-term births (38.78% vs. 38.60%), fetal losses (16.33% vs. 15.79%), spontaneous abortions (14.29% vs. 14.04%), small for gestational age infants (18.37% vs. 19.30%), low birth weight infants (42.86% vs. 40.35%), maternal complications (46.94% vs. 49.12%), and maternal flares (36.73% vs. 40.35%). The agreement of pregnancy outcomes was very high between the two groups (91.11% agreement). Conclusion: Pregnancy outcomes in SLE patients who achieved modified clinical remission and modified LLDAS were comparable.

CTLA-4 polymorphisms in Thai patients with rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and systemic sclerosis.

AIMS: Studies on polymorphisms of the cytotoxic T lymphocytes associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4) genes in rheumatic disease patients are limited in Southeast Asia. This pilot study aimed to determine CTLA-4 polymorphisms in Thai patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and systemic sclerosis (SSc), and correlate them with serology. METHOD: One-hundred RA, 70 SLE and 50 SSc patients, and 99 healthy controls (HCs) were included in this study. Polymorphisms of the CTLA-4 gene at +49A/G, -318C/T, -1661A/G and -1722T/C loci were determined by polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism methods. Patient serum samples were determined as follows: RA (rheumatoid factor [RF] and anticyclic citrullinated peptide [anti-CCP]), SLE (antinuclear antibodies [ANA], anti-double-stranded DNA [anti-dsDNA], anti-Smith [anti-Sm], anti-ribonucleoprotein [anti-RNP], and anti-Sjögren's syndrome antigen A [SSA]), and SSc (ANA, anti-RNP, anti-SSA, anti-topoisomerase-1 [anti-Scl70], and anti-centromere antibodies [ACA]). RESULTS: Among the 4 loci studied (+49A/G, -318C/T, -1661A/G and -1722T/C) only the A allele frequency at the +49A/G was significantly higher in the RA patients than their HCs (47.25% vs 35.86%, P = .029, odds ratio [OR] 1.60; 95% CI 1.04-2.47). It also was significantly higher in the subgroup of RA patients with positive RF and anti-CCP than their HCs (47.50% vs 35.86%, P = .020, OR 1.62; 95% CI 1.06-2.47 and 48.89% vs 35.86%, P = .012, OR 1.71; 95% CI 1.11-2.64, respectively). No polymorphisms at these 4 loci were observed in SLE or SSc patients. CONCLUSION: The A allele at +49A/G locus of the CTLA-4 gene was associated with RA in Thais.

Time trends in the risk of HIV infection among men who have sex with men in Chiang Mai, Thailand: an observational study.

A cross-sectional study on men who have sex with men (MSM) for the HIV prevention project was conducted to assess the prevalence of HIV infection-related behaviors among 551 MSM recruited in 2008-2009 and 1910 MSM in 2014-2018 for voluntary counseling and testing at a HIV clinic in Chiang Mai. Overall, the study found that the prevalence of HIV infection was significantly decreased from 12.9% (71/551) in the earlier study (2008-2009) to 8.2% (157/1910) in the recent study (2014-2018) (p = 0.001). By comparison, in 2008-2009 and 2014-2018, there was no statistically significant difference in consistent condom use (39.0% [186/477] vs. 38.9% [591/1512], p = 0.969), while unprotected anal sex with casual partners significantly increased (44.5% [159/357] vs. 51.9% [645/1242], p = 0.014) and receptive anal sex significantly increased (37.7% [180/477] vs. 45.1% [860/1905], p = 0.004). However, previous HIV testing within 1 year increased significantly from 64.6% (197/305) to 74.7% (677/906, p = 0.001). In exploratory multivariate analysis, the factors associated with HIV infection included gay men, age below 20 years, being self-employed, being an employee, having only receptive anal sex, having both receptive/insertive anal sex, being a former substance user, using online dating, having a history of sexually transmitted infection symptoms, self-perception as being at high risk for HIV, last HIV testing >1 year, and never previously testing for HIV. The data represent the trend of health-seeking behavior improvements. The findings demonstrated the need for a novel sexual health service in an endemic setting and health promotion for online partner-seeking.

Caesarean delivery is associated with increased blood pressure in young adult offspring.

We examined the associations between caesarean section (CS) delivery and cardiovascular risk factors in young adults in Thailand. Participants were 632 offspring from a birth cohort in Chiang Mai (Northern Thailand), born in 1989-1990 and assessed in 2010 at a mean age of 20.6 years, including 57 individuals (9.0%) born by CS and 575 born vaginally. Clinical assessments included anthropometry, blood pressure (BP), carotid intima-media thickness, and fasting blood glucose, insulin, and lipid profile. Young adults born by CS had systolic BP (SBP) 6.2 mmHg higher (p < 0.001), diastolic BP 3.2 mmHg higher (p = 0.029), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) 4.1 mmHg higher (p = 0.003) than those born vaginally. After covariate adjustments, SBP and MAP remained 4.1 mmHg (p = 0.006) and 2.9 mmHg (p = 0.021) higher, respectively, in the CS group. The prevalence of abnormal SBP (i.e., pre-hypertension or hypertension) in the CS group was 2.5 times that of those born vaginally (25.0% vs 10.3%; p = 0.003), with an adjusted relative risk of abnormal SBP 1.9 times higher (95% CI 1.15, 2.98; p = 0.011). There were no differences in anthropometry (including obesity risk) or other metabolic parameters. In this birth cohort in Thailand, CS delivery was associated with increased blood pressure in young adulthood.

Higher maternal BMI early in pregnancy is associated with overweight and obesity in young adult offspring in Thailand.

BACKGROUND: Rates of overweight and obesity among women of reproductive age have been steadily increasing worldwide and in Thailand. There is mounting evidence that maternal obesity during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of obesity and other adverse health outcomes in the offspring, but such data are lacking for Thailand. We examined the associations between maternal body mass index (BMI) and anthropometry (particularly the likelihood of obesity) and cardiometabolic parameters in young adult offspring. METHODS: This was a prospective follow-up study of a birth cohort in Chiang Mai (Thailand). Pregnant women carrying singletons were recruited at their first antenatal visit (< 24 weeks of gestation) and followed until delivery in 1989-1990. Participants were their young adult offspring followed up in 2010. Maternal BMI was recorded at the first antenatal visit. The offspring underwent clinical assessments, including anthropometry, lipid profile, insulin sensitivity (HOMA-IR), blood pressure, and carotid intima-media thickness. The primary outcome of interest was the likelihood of obesity in the offspring. RESULTS: We assessed 628 young adults (54% were females) at 20.6 ± 0.5 years of age (range 19.1-22.1 years). The young adult offspring of mothers with overweight/obesity was 14.1 kg (95%CI 9.7, 18.5; p < 0.0001) and 9.4 kg (95% CI 6.1, 12.8; p < 0.0001) heavier than those born to mothers with underweight or normal weight, respectively, and had BMI 3.46 kg/m2 (95%CI 2.26, 4.67; p < 0.0001) and 5.27 kg/m2 (95%CI 3.67, 8.68; p < 0.0001) greater, respectively. For every 1-kg/m2 increase in maternal BMI, the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of offspring obesity was 25% greater (95%CI 1.10, 1.42; p < 0.001). Thus, the aOR of obesity in offspring of mothers with overweight/obesity was 4.6 times greater (95%CI 1.86, 11.26; p < 0.001) and nearly 17-fold greater (95%CI 1.96, 146.4; p = 0.010) compared to young adults born to mothers with normal weight or underweight, respectively. There were no observed associations between maternal BMI status and offspring metabolism or blood pressure. DISCUSSION: Maternal overweight/obesity early in pregnancy was associated with increased BMI and greater odds of obesity in their young adult offspring in Thailand. These findings highlight the public health importance of fostering healthier lifestyle choices among women of reproductive age.

Predicting factors of adverse pregnancy outcomes in Thai patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: A STROBE-compliant study.

ABSTRACT: Studies on predicting factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs) in Thai patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are limited. This retrospective observation study determined APOs and their predictors in Thai patients with SLE.Medical records of pregnant SLE patients in a lupus cohort, seen from January 1993 to June 2017, were reviewed.Ninety pregnancies (1 twin pregnancy) from 77 patients were identified. The mean age at conception was 26.94 ±â€Š4.80 years. At conception, 33 patients (36.67%) had active disease, 23 (25.56%) hypertension, 20 (22.22%) renal involvement, and 6 of 43 (13.95%) positive anti-cardiolipin antibodies or lupus anti-coagulants, and 37 (41.11%) received hydroxychloroquine. Nineteen patients (21.11%) had pregnancy loss. Of 71 successful pregnancies, 28 (31.11%) infants were full-term, 42 (46.67%) pre-term and 1 (11.11%) post-term; 19 (26.39%) were small for gestational age (SGA), and 38 (52.58%) had low birth weight (LBW). Maternal complications occurred in 21 (23.33%) pregnancies [10 (11.11%) premature rupture of membrane (PROM), 8 (8.89%) pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH), 4 (4.44%) oligohydramnios, 2 (2.22%) post-partum hemorrhage, and 1 (1.11%) eclampsia]. Patients aged ≥ 25 years at pregnancy and those ever having renal involvement had predicted pregnancy loss with adjusted odds ratio (AOR) [95% CI] of 4.15 [1.10-15.72], P = .036 and 9.21 [1.03-82.51], P = .047, respectively. Renal involvement predicted prematurity (6.02 [1.77-20.52, P = .004), SGA (4.46 [1.44-13.78], P = .009), and LBW in infants (10.01 [3.07-32.62], P < .001). Prednisolone (>10 mg/day) and immunosuppressive drugs used at conception protected against prematurity (0.11 [0.02-0.85], P = .034). Flares and hematologic involvement predicted PROM (8.45 [1.58-45.30], P = .013) and PIH (9.24 [1.70-50.24], P = .010), respectively. Cutaneous vasculitis (33.87 [1.05-1,094.65], P = .047), and renal (31.89 [6.66-152.69], P < .001), mucocutaneous (9.17 [1.83-45.90], P = .007) and hematologic involvement (128.00 [4.60-3,564.46], P = .004) during pregnancy predicted flare; while prednisolone (>10 mg/day) and immunosuppressive drug use at conception reduced that risk (0.08 [0.01-0.68, P = .021).APOs remain a problem in Thai pregnant SLE patients. Renal involvement and SLE flares were associated with the risk of APOs.

Birth order is associated with an increased risk of obesity in young adults in Thailand.

BACKGROUND: There is a growing body of evidence showing that early life events are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases later in adult life. However, there is a paucity of data in this field from Asian populations. In this study, we examined the association of birth order with obesity risk and cardiometabolic outcomes in young adults in Thailand. METHODS: Participants were the offspring from a birth cohort study in Chiang Mai (northern Thailand), who were followed up at ~20.5 years of age. Clinical assessments included anthropometry, blood pressure, fasting blood samples and carotid intima-media thickness. Insulin sensitivity was estimated using homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Participants were stratified into two groups: first-borns and later-borns. Health outcomes between groups were compared using multivariable models adjusting for important confounders, in particular maternal body mass index (BMI). RESULTS: A total of 559 participants were studied: 316 first-borns (46% males) and 243 later-borns (47% males). Adjusted models showed anthropometric differences, with first-borns being 2.3 kg heavier (p=0.023) with a BMI 0.86 kg/m2 greater (p=0.019) than later-borns. Thus, rates of obesity were higher in first-borns than in later-borns (6.6% vs 2.9%), so that first-borns had an adjusted relative risk of obesity 3.3 times greater than later-borns [95% CI 1.42 to 7.88; p=0.006]. There were no observed differences in cardiovascular or metabolic parameters assessed, including HOMA-IR. CONCLUSION: As observed in other populations, first-borns in Thailand had greater BMI and an increased risk of obesity in young adulthood. However, we observed no other cardiometabolic differences between first- and later-borns.

Ankle-Brachial Index and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness Progression by Using Ultrasound Among Patients With HIV Infection Versus End-Stage Renal Disease.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients contributed to accelerated cardiovascular disease. Comparing the effect on atherosclerosis of the 2 diseases has never been explored. A prospective cohort study enrolled participants who were more than 18 years of age without stroke, coronary, and peripheral arterial disease events. Each HIV-infected person had continuously used antiretroviral therapy and ESRD and required intermittent hemodialysis. We assessed patients using the ankle-brachial index (ABI) and carotid intimal media thickness (CIMT) at enrollment, and 1 year later. The main outcome was the progression of ABI and CIMT per year. Demographic, comorbidities, and serum profiles were collected on entry. A total of 789 HIV-positive and 41 ESRD with HIV-negative patients were recruited. After adjusting for potential confounders at baseline, the ESRD die not significantly decrease ABI by 0.015 in 1 year (P=0 .252). The HIV-infected group had a significantly decreased ABI by 0.020 in 1 year (P < .001), but the reduced rate in the HIV-infected group was not statistically different from those in the ESRD group (P = 0.901). When adjusted for potential confounders, the ESRD had a significant increase of CIMT by 0.111 mm in 1 year (P<0.001). The HIV patients had a significant increase of 0.250 mm CIMT in 1 year (P<0.001). This progression rate was statistically greater in the HIV-infected group versus the ESRD group. HIV infection and ESRD had comparable rates of ABI and CIMT progression in our study. Then, early prevention in asymptomatic atherosclerosis should include not only patients with ESRD but also HIV-infected patients.

Lower insulin sensitivity in young adults born preterm in Thailand.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies reported impaired glucose homeostasis among preterm survivors, but consisted almost exclusively of Caucasians. It is unknown whether Asians born preterm display similar impairments. AIM: To assess glucose homeostasis and other cardiometabolic outcomes among young adults born preterm in Thailand. METHODS: Participants were 575 young adult offspring of mothers from the Chiang Mai Low Birth Weight Study, born in 1989 to 1990 and followed up in 2010: 54.1% females, median age 20.6 years, including 33 individuals (5.7%) born preterm. After an overnight fast, participants underwent clinical assessments, including blood sampling (glucose, insulin, and lipid profile). Insulin sensitivity was assessed using HOMA-IR and insulin secretion estimated using HOMA-ß. RESULTS: In unadjusted analyses, young Thai adults born preterm were 3.2 cm shorter (P = .037), 6 kg lighter (P = .016), and had HOMA-ß 34% higher (P = .026) than those born at term. Adjusted analyses accounting for important confounders showed marked impairments in glucose homeostasis among preterm survivors: fasting insulin levels were 32% greater (P = .011), with HOMA-IR and HOMA-ß that were 31% (P = .020) and 43% higher (P = .005), respectively, compared to peers born at term. There were no other contrasting observations between groups, with anthropometric differences disappearing after adjustment for confounders. DISCUSSION: Young adults in Thailand born preterm were more insulin resistant than peers born at term. The observed impairments in glucose metabolism among young Thai adults born preterm corroborate findings reported mostly on Caucasians. The challenge for general practitioners and public health professionals is to encourage those born preterm to make healthier lifestyle choices early on.

A Randomized Controlled Trial on the Outcome in Comparing an Alginate Silver Dressing With a Conventional Treatment of a Necrotizing Fasciitis Wound.

Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a high morbidity and mortality disease and also demands high economic resources. The standard treatment of NF is surgical debridement and proper dressing for wound bed preparation. The efficacy of silver alginate dressing can inhibit the growth of microorganisms and keep the environment clean for wound bed preparation. However an optimal dressing to manage such wounds has yet to emerge. NF patients who were admitted between April 2013 and May 2016 were randomized to have wound dressing using either silver dressing (Ag group) or normal saline solution gauze (NSS group). The 4 main outcomes for comparison between the 2 groups were the duration of wound bed preparation, total cost during hospital stay, the duration of hospital stay, and the pain score. Thirty-nine patients were included in the study: 19 patients in the NSS group and 20 patients in the Ag group. The mean duration of wound bed preparation in the NSS group was 31.87 days, and in Ag group it was 21.39 days, but this trend was not statistically significant ( P = .057). The mean cost of treatment in the NSS and Ag groups was not significantly different ( P = .434; US$3308.83 and US$2647.82, respectively). The duration of hospital days in the 2 groups was not significantly different either (29.19 days [NSS group] and 20.99 days [Ag group]; P = .222). The pain score was significantly lower in the Ag group than those in the NSS group. Although silver dressing seems to be expensive, the cost of total treatment during hospital stay and the duration of hospital stay were not significantly different between groups. However, the mean duration of wound bed preparation seems to trend favoring toward the silver dressing group.