Clinical presentation and treatment of 2 patients with infection caused by Chromobacterium violaceum in Vietnam.

Chromobacterium violaceum is a rare but severe and often fatal cause of disease in humans. We present 2 clinical cases of sepsis and skin abscesses / cellulitis caused by C. violaceum seen in a referral hospital for infectious diseases in Vietnam. Both patients survived, but appropriate antibiotic treatment was only installed after culture of the organism. We reviewed and summarised the characteristics of C. violaceum infection and treatment.

Clinical characteristics of COVID-19 patients treated in emergency COVID-19 hospitals in Vietnam: Experience from Phutho province, Vietnam.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics, patient's management approaches, and outcomes of the COVID-19 patients in Phu Tho Province, Vietnam. Methods: A retrospective, multicenter study of 2166 COVID-19 patients in 13 hospitals in Phutho Province, Vietnam. The subjects were divided into 3 groups based on vaccination status: unvaccinated group, 1st dose of vaccine group, 2nd dose of vaccine group. The clinical characteristics, management approaches, and outcomes were collected and compared between the 3 groups. Results: The hospitalization rate of the 3 groups decreased from the unvaccinated group, the 1st dose of vaccinated group, to the 2nd dose of vaccinated group, 42.61%; 30,24% and 27,15% respectively. The 19-40 years old group had the highest hospitalization rate (38,1%) together with the group that had not accepted the full COVID 19 vaccination dose (57,64%). The 2nd dose of vaccinated group had the lowest percentages of high temperature, cough, dyspnea, chest pain and sore throat. The unvaccinated group had the highest heart rate, respiratory rate and SpO2 compared to the two other groups. The percentage needing Immunomodulation and Anticoagulant Therapy was highest (6.8% and 1.4 % respectively) in the unvaccinated group. The percentage receiving Antiviral Therapy was highest (42,5%) in those who had received the 2nd dose of vaccine. Conclusions: COVID-19 vaccination improved the symptoms of the patients and should be accepted in all ages.

Corporate restructuring and firm performance in Vietnam: The moderating role of digital transformation.

In the digital age, firms should continually innovate and adapt to remain competitive and enhance performance. Innovation and adaptation require firms to take a holistic approach to their corporate structuring to ensure efficiency and effectiveness to stay competitive. This study examines how corporate restructuring impacts firm performance in Vietnam. We then investigate the moderating role of digital transformation in the corporate restructuring-firm performance nexus. We use content analysis, with a focus on particular terms, including "digitalization," "big data," "cloud computing," "blockchain," and "information technology" for 11 years, from 2011 to 2021. The frequency index from these keywords is developed to proxy the digital transformation for the Vietnamese listed firms. A final sample includes 118 Vietnamese listed firms with sufficient data for the analysis using the generalized method of moments (GMM) approach. The results indicate that corporate restructuring, including financial, portfolio, and operational restructuring, has a negative effect on firm performance in Vietnam. Digital transformation also negatively affects firm performance. However, corporate restructuring implemented in conjunction with digital transformation improves the performance of Vietnamese listed firms. These findings largely remain unchanged across various robustness analyses.

Opioid Therapy for Cancer Pain in Vietnam: Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceived Barriers Among Health Care Professionals, Policymakers, and Regulators.

PURPOSE: We aimed to assess knowledge, attitudes, and perceived barriers among health care professionals (HCPs), policymakers, and regulators in Vietnam related to opioid therapy for cancer pain. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study in Vietnam from June to August 2022. Participants completed a questionnaire on their demographic characteristics, knowledge and attitudes toward opioid therapy, and barriers to accessing opioids for cancer pain. RESULTS: Two hundred seven HCPs and 15 policymakers/regulators completed the questionnaire. Poor knowledge about opioids in cancer pain was found in 63.3% of HCPs and 80.0% of policymakers/regulators. Poor knowledge was associated with a lack of training in cancer pain management or palliative care (PC; prevalence ratio [PR], 1.14 [95% CI, 1.04 to 1.24]). Negative attitudes toward opioid therapy in cancer pain were held by 64.7% of HCPs and 80.0% of policymakers/regulators. Negative attitudes were associated with the unavailability of oral morphine in the workplace (PR, 1.10 [95% CI, 1.01 to 1.20]). The most common major barriers reported were the absence of national policy on pain management and PC (34.7%), inadequate training in opioid use for cancer pain (33.8%), lockdown of health facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic (32.4%), limited opioid availability in local health facilities (32.4%), and excessively restrictive regulation of opioid dispensing in pharmacies (32.4%). CONCLUSION: This study found a knowledge deficit and negative attitudes toward opioid therapy for cancer pain among HCPs and policymakers/regulators. Improving education and training in opioid therapy is essential. Recognizing major barriers can guide strategies to enhance safe opioid accessibility for cancer pain management in Vietnam.

Longitudinal patterns of natural hazard exposures and anxiety and depression symptoms among young adults in four low- and middle-income countries.

We estimated the effect of community-level natural hazard exposure during prior developmental stages on later anxiety and depression symptoms among young adults and potential differences stratified by gender. We analyzed longitudinal data (2002-2020) on 5585 young adults between 19 and 26 years in Ethiopia, India, Peru, and Vietnam. A binary question identified community-level exposure, and psychometrically validated scales measured recent anxiety and depression symptoms. Young adults with three exposure histories ("time point 1," "time point 2," and "both time points") were contrasted with their unexposed peers. We applied a longitudinal targeted minimum loss-based estimator with an ensemble of machine learning algorithms for estimation. Young adults living in exposed communities did not exhibit substantially different anxiety or depression symptoms from their unexposed peers, except for young women in Ethiopia who exhibited less anxiety symptoms (average causal effect [ACE] estimate = - 8.86 [95% CI: - 17.04, - 0.68] anxiety score). In this study, singular and repeated natural hazard exposures generally were not associated with later anxiety and depression symptoms. Further examination is needed to understand how distal natural hazard exposures affect lifelong mental health, which aspects of natural hazards are most salient, how disaster relief may modify symptoms, and gendered, age-specific, and contextual differences.

Dengue virus serotypes and related factors in children with dengue hemorrhagic fever in Southern Vietnam.

INTRODUCTION: After the Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic, a high number of cases and severe dengue in children were reported in some provinces in the south of Vietnam. This study aimed to determine the distribution of dengue virus serotypes and their correlation with demographic factors, disease severity, clinical manifestations, and laboratory findings. METHODOLOGY: This study employed a cross-sectional design. Ninety-six dengue-infected children admitted to Can Tho Children's Hospital between October 2022 and March 2023 were included. Confirmation of dengue infection was achieved through the real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: Among the identified serotypes, DENV-2 accounted for the highest proportion (71.87%), followed by DENV-1 (23.96%), and DENV-4 (4.17%). DENV-3 was not detected. No significant demographic, disease severity, or laboratory differences were observed among the identified dengue serotypes. However, DENV-2 was associated with a higher occurrence of mucous membrane hemorrhages and gastrointestinal bleeding compared to other serotypes. CONCLUSIONS: Although DENV-2 was the most prevalent serotype responsible for dengue in children in southern Vietnam, it did not lead to more severe cases compared to other serotypes. This finding is crucial for evaluating the illness's prognosis.

Spatial and temporal-trend assessment of desertification-sensitive land using the desertification sensitivity index in the provincial Ninh Thuan, Vietnam.

Desertification is a specific land-degrading process, reducing soil productivity and potentially threatening global food security. Therefore, spatially and temporally identifying and mapping desertification-sensitive areas is essential for better management. The current study aimed to (1) assess spatial areas sensitive to desertification and (2) examine the changing tendency of the desertification-sensitive areas over the past 25 years in the provincial Ninh Thuan. The desertification sensitivity index (DSI) was computed based on the Medalus model using 10 quantitative parameters, grouped into the soil, climate, and vegetation quality indexes, computed for the years 1996, 2005, 2010, and 2016. GIS was used to map desertification-sensitive areas associated with five DSI classes. Results showed that classes II and III had the highest area percentage, followed by classes IV and V, and class I. The classes most sensitive to desertification (classes IV and V) covered around 13 to 17%, and classes II and III were 25 to 32% of the total study area, respectively. The coastal areas located in the southeastern parts were more sensitive to desertification than the other parts. Over the four examined periods, the areas of classes IV and V increased while those of classes II and I decreased. These indicated that the study province tended to increase in its desertification sensitivity with a severe increase in the coastal areas over the past 25 years. The key factors involved in these changes could be related the human activities and climate variation, which could be more serious in southeastern areas than in the other areas.

Genomic characterization of Aeromonas spp. isolates from striped catfish with motile Aeromonas septicemia and human bloodstream infections in Vietnam.

Aeromonas spp. are commonly found in the aquatic environment and have been responsible for motile Aeromonas septicemia (MAS) in striped catfish, resulting in significant economic loss. These organisms also cause a range of opportunistic infections in humans with compromised immune systems. Here, we conducted a genomic investigation of 87 Aeromonas isolates derived from diseased catfish, healthy catfish and environmental water in catfish farms affected by MAS outbreaks in eight provinces in Mekong Delta (years: 2012-2022), together with 25 isolates from humans with bloodstream infections (years: 2010-2020). Genomics-based typing method precisely delineated Aeromonas species while traditional methods such as aerA PCR and MALDI-TOF were unable identify A. dhakensis. A. dhakensis was found to be more prevalent than A. hydrophila in both diseased catfish and human infections. A. dhakensis sequence type (ST) 656 followed by A. hydrophila ST251 were the predominant virulent species-lineages in diseased catfish (43.7 and 20.7 %, respectively), while diverse STs were found in humans with bloodstream infections. There was evidence of widespread transmission of ST656 and ST251 on striped catfish in the Mekong Delta region. ST656 and ST251 isolates carried a significantly higher number of acquired antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes and virulence factors in comparison to other STs. They, however, exhibited several distinctions in key virulence factors (i.e. lack of type IV pili and enterotoxin ast in A. dhakensis), AMR genes (i.e. presence of imiH carbapenemase in A. dhakensis), and accessory gene content. To uncover potential conserved proteins of Aeromonas spp. for vaccine development, pangenome analysis has unveiled 2202 core genes between ST656 and ST251, of which 78 proteins were in either outer membrane or extracellular proteins. Our study represents one of the first genomic investigations of the species distribution, genetic landscape, and epidemiology of Aeromonas in diseased catfish and human infections in Vietnam. The emergence of antimicrobial resistant and virulent A. dhakensis strains underscores the needs of enhanced genomic surveillance and strengthening vaccine research and development in preventing Aeromonas diseases in catfish and humans, and the search for potential vaccine candidates could focus on Aeromonas core genes encoded for membrane and secreted proteins.

Low HBV knowledge is associated with low HBV vaccination uptake in general adult population despite incentivization of HBV vaccination.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination in Vietnamese adults remains low and unequally distributed. We conducted a study on HBV-naïve adults living in Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam, to determine barriers associated with HBV vaccination uptake after removing the financial barrier by providing free coupons for HBV vaccination. METHODS: After being screened for HBsAg, anti-HBs, and anti-HBc, 284 HBV-naïve study participants aged 18 and over (i.e., negative for HBsAg, anti-HBs, and anti-HBc total) were provided free 3-dose HBV vaccine coupons. Next, study participants' receipt of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd doses of HBV vaccine was documented at a pre-specified study healthcare facility, where HBV vaccines were distributed at no cost to the participants. Upon study entry, participants answered questionnaires on sociodemographics, knowledge of HBV and HBV vaccination, and related social and behavioral factors. The proportions of three doses of HBV vaccine uptake and their confidence intervals were analyzed. Associations of HBV vaccine initiation with exposures at study entry were evaluated using modified Poisson regression. RESULTS: 98.9% (281 of 284) of study participants had complete data and were included in the analysis. The proportion of participants obtaining the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd doses of HBV vaccine was 11.7% (95% Confidence Interval [95% CI] 8.0-15.5%), 10.7% (95%CI 7.1-14.3%), and 8.9% (95%CI 5.6-12.2%), respectively. On the other hand, participants were more likely to initiate the 1st dose if they had adequate knowledge of transmission (adjusted relative risk [aRR] = 2.58, 95% CI 1.12-5.92), adequate knowledge of severity (aRR = 6.75, 95%CI 3.38-13.48), and annual health-checking seeking behavior (aRR = 2.04, 95%CI 1.07-3.87). CONCLUSION: We documented a low HBV vaccination uptake despite incentivization. However, increased vaccine initiation was associated with better HBV knowledge and annual health check-up adherence. When considering expanding HBV vaccination to the general adult population, we should appreciate that HBV knowledge is an independent predictor of vaccine uptake.

Microplastic Pollution in High Population Density Zones of Selected Rivers from Southeast Asia.

Southeast Asia (SEA) faces significant environmental challenges due to rapid population growth and economic activity. Rivers in the region are major sources of plastic waste in oceans. Concerns about their contribution have grown, but knowledge of microplastics in the area is still limited. This article compares microplastic levels in sediment and water from urban zones of three major rivers in SEA: Chao Phraya River (Thailand), Saigon River (Vietnam), and Citarum River (Indonesia). The study reveals that in all three rivers, microplastics were found, with the highest concentrations in Chao Phraya's water (80 ± 60 items/m3) and Saigon's sediment (9167 ± 4559 items/kg). The variations in microplastic sizes and concentrations among these rivers may be attributed to environmental factors and the exposure duration of plastic to the environment. Since these rivers are important water supply sources, rigorous land-use regulations and raising public awareness are crucial to mitigate plastic and microplastic pollution.

Corporate governance for sustainable development in Vietnam: Criteria for SOEs based on MCDM approach.

This research explores the nexus between corporate governance and sustainable development, focusing on State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) in Vietnam. Recognizing the pivotal role of SOEs in the national economy, this study employs a Multi-Criteria Decision-Making approach (MCDM) to assess and enhance the corporate governance frameworks of these entities. First, the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) model is employed to identify the most qualified prospective SOEs firms based on several quantitative criteria. Then, the spherical fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (SF-AHP) model is used to identify priority weights for a given set of qualitative criteria, the Evaluation based on distance from average solution (EDAS) model is implemented to rank enterprises in the SOEs sector. To validate the proposed models, a case study conducted within the Vietnamese electric power industry is utilized. The MCDM methodology integrates diverse factors such as business management, corporate social responsibility, and corporate governance shareholder to construct a comprehensive evaluation framework. By applying this approach, the study aims to identify the key drivers and barriers influencing corporate governance practices within Vietnamese SOEs. The study's findings illustrate the efficacy of the suggested approach in evaluating corporate governance performance, providing valuable insights for policymakers, corporate leaders, and stakeholders involved in shaping the governance landscape of SOEs in Vietnam. By aligning corporate governance with sustainable development principles, the research aims to contribute to the ongoing discourse on responsible business practices, offering practical recommendations to enhance the performance and resilience of SOEs in the pursuit of long-term socio-economic and environmental sustainability.

Anthropogenic particle abundance and characteristics in seawater and intertidal sediments of the Tonkin Bay Coast (North Vietnam).

Microplastics (MPs, plastic items from 1 µm to 5 mm in size) are present in all environmental compartments. The evaluation of their concentration, fate, and spatial distribution is still a challenge for the scientific community. This concern is just debuting in developing countries, (i.e., Asia, South America, and Africa). This study deals with the MP contamination in the abiotic marine compartments of Northern Vietnam: seawater and intertidal sediments. Four sites located in the intertidal zone or near the coastline in Tonkin Bay, Vietnam were studied. A total of 16 samples (eight for each compartment) were collected in July 2020 (rainy season) and January 2021 (dry season). Anthropogenic particles (total observed fibers and fragments) were found at levels ranging from 3 to 303 particles/m3 in seawater and from 63 to 955 particles/kg dry weight in sediments. Most of these were fibers less than 300-µm long. Higher levels of seawater at the Nam Dinh site were found in the rainy season compared to the dry one. As the river flow was estimated six times higher during the rainy season than during the dry season, these results suggest the river discharge is a potential source of contamination for the coastal zone. The temporal variability was lower for the sediments than for the seawater, suggesting the long-term integration of the anthropogenic particles in this compartment. A small portion of sorted particles were analyzed by µFTIR (8.35%), and this sub-sample was only composed of fragments. Still, fragments were mostly composed of polypropylene (PP, 82%), polyethylene (PE, 9%), and polystyrene (PS, 9%). The fragment size was similar in the two studied compartments, but it was dependent on polymer types since PS fragments (140 ± 17 µm) were smaller than those made of PE (622 ± 123 µm) and PP (869 ± 905 µm). Future works should investigate the smallest fraction of MP (even nanoplastics) as well as find solutions in order to mitigate MP contamination in the marine environment.

The pioneers of Vietnam's epidemiological transition: an ethnographic study of pregnant women's experiences of gestational diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is an abnormal glucose metabolism diagnosed during pregnancy that can have serious adverse consequences for mother and child. GDM is an exceptional health condition, as its management serves not only as treatment but also as prevention, reducing the risk of future diabetes in mother and child. OBJECTIVES: This qualitative study aimed to explore how pregnant women experience and respond to GDM, focusing particularly on the role of the family environment in shaping women's experiences. METHODS: The research was carried out in Vietnam's Thái Bình province in April-May 2023. We conducted in-depth ethnographic interviews with 21 women with GDM, visiting them in their homes. Our theoretical starting point was phenomenological anthropology, and the data were analysed using a thematic analysis approach. RESULTS: At the centre of women's experiences was the contrast between GDM as a biomedical and a social condition. Whereas GDM was biomedically diagnosed and managed in the healthcare system, it was often deemed insignificant or non-existent by family members. This made GDM a biomedically present but socially absent health condition. This paradox posed challenges to women's GDM self-care, placing them in pioneering social positions. CONCLUSIONS: The biomedical presence yet social absence of GDM turned women into pioneers at biomedical, digital, epidemiological, and family frontiers. This article calls for appreciation of pregnant women's pioneering roles and for health systems action to involve women and families in the development of GDM policies and programmes at a time of sweeping global health changes.

Main findings: Vietnamese women's experiences of gestational diabetes were affected by social splits between clinic and home; between biomedical and family worlds.Added knowledge: Gestational diabetes places pregnant women in Northern Vietnam in pioneering roles on biomedical, digital, epidemiological, and family frontiers.Global health impact for policy and action: Pregnant women should be involved in the development of policies and programmes addressing gestational diabetes, with particular attention to the connections between clinical and family worlds.

Sleep Disorders and Traffic Accidents: Unveiling the Hidden Risks.

BACKGROUND Numerous countries, Vietnam included, have persistently high annual rates of traffic accidents. Despite concerted government efforts to reduce the annual traffic accident rate, the toll of fatalities and consequential injuries from these accidents rises each year. Various factors contribute to these incidents, notably including alcohol consumption while driving, inadequate awareness of traffic regulations, and substandard traffic infrastructure. However, an under-recognized risk in developing nations such as Vietnam is the prevalence of sleep disorders. Conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and obesity hypoventilation syndrome, while prevalent, remain inadequately assessed and treated. These disorders represent significant yet largely unaddressed contributors to the heightened risk of traffic accidents. CASE REPORT We describe the case of a 55-year-old Vietnamese man hospitalized due to long-standing respiratory complications and profound daytime sleepiness. Over the past 2 years, the patient gained 10 kg. Consequently, he frequently experienced drowsiness, leading to 4 traffic accidents. Despite previous hospitalizations, this sleep disorder had gone undiagnosed and untreated. Diagnostic assessments confirmed concurrent obstructive sleep apnea and obesity hypoventilation syndrome through polysomnography and blood gas analyses. Treatment involving non-invasive positive airway pressure therapy notably alleviated symptoms and substantially improved his quality of life within a concise 3-month period. CONCLUSIONS Obstructive sleep apnea and obesity hypoventilation syndrome are contributory factors to excessive daytime somnolence, significantly increasing vulnerability to traffic accidents. Regrettably, this critical intersection remains inadequately addressed. Addressing these concerns comprehensively through dedicated research initiatives should be imperative before considering the universal issuance of driver's licenses to all road users in Vietnam.

Distracted on duty: A theory-based exploration of influences leading to mobile phone distracted riding among food delivery workers.

Using mobile phones while riding is a form of distracted riding that significantly elevates crash risk. Regrettably, the factors contributing to mobile phone use while riding (MPUWR) among food delivery riders remain under-researched. Addressing this literature gap, the current study employs the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model and various socio-economic factors to examine the determinants of MPUWR. The research incorporates data from 558 delivery workers in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The study utilizes two analytical methods to empirically test the hypotheses, considering non-linear relationships between variables: Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) and Artificial Neural Network (ANN). The results reveal mixed impacts of factors connected to job resources. Although social support appears to deter MPUWR, work autonomy and rewards seemingly encourage it. Furthermore, a predisposition towards risk-taking behaviour significantly impacts the frequency of mobile phone usage among delivery riders. Interestingly, riders with higher incomes and those who have previously been fined by the police exhibit more frequent mobile phone use. The findings of this study present valuable insights into the crucial factors to be addressed when designing interventions aimed at reducing phone use among food delivery riders.

Adult cancer patients' barriers to and satisfaction with care at a National Cancer Hospital in Vietnam.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the overall satisfaction with oncological care, including barriers to care, and identified its associated predictors among adult cancer patients in Vietnam. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we enrolled 300 adult cancer patients receiving inpatient care at a large urban oncological hospital between June and July 2022. Multivariable linear regression analyses examined associations between patient experiences and overall satisfaction ratings with cancer care. RESULTS: The mean overall satisfaction with oncological care was 8.82 out of 10, with 98.0% recommending this facility to their friends and family. In an adjusted model, being female (ß = 0.29, 95%CI: 0.04, 0.53), endorsing satisfaction with patient-nurse communication (ß = 0.33, 95%CI: 0.13, 0.53), patient-doctor communication (ß = 0.40, 95%CI: 0.11, 0.70), and psychoeducation about oncological medication management (ß = 0.30, 95%CI: 0.14, 0.45) were positively associated with overall ratings. In contrast, individuals with delays in treatment scheduling reported lower overall satisfaction with oncological care (ß = -0.38, 95%CI: -0.64, -0.13). Patients perceived health system, social/environmental, and individual barriers to care: worries about income loss due to attending treatment (43.3%); fear, depression, anxiety, and distress (36.8%); concerns about affordability of treatment (36.7%) and transportation problems (36.7%); and excessive waiting times for appointments (28.8%). CONCLUSION: This study showed high overall patient satisfaction with cancer care quality. Patient-centered communication strategies and psychoeducation about oncological medication management may be targeted to further enhance the cancer inpatient experience. Raising awareness about treatment options and services, and integrating mental health awareness into oncological care may ameliorate patient distress and facilitate greater satisfaction with oncological treatment processes.

The value of APGA score, fibrosis index for diagnosing liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Background: Various non-invasive methods have been studied for assessing the fibrosis stage in patients with chronic hepatitis B. However, the performance of APGA, Fibrosis index in diagnosing liver fibrosis remains unclear globally and specifically in Vietnam. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was performed among 242 patients treated at Thong Nhat Hospital. Results: Both the APGA index and Fibrosis index showed good accuracy in diagnosing significant fibrosis (≥ F2), advanced liver fibro-sis (≥ F3), and cirrhosis (F4) with an area under the curve (AUROC) greater than 0.7. AUROC value of APGA index, Fibrosis index for diagnosing signifcant fibrosis (≥ F2) were 0.828, 0.767 respectively. AUROC value of APGA index, Fibrosis index for diagnosing advanced liver fibrosis (≥ F3) were 0.784, 0.755 respectively. AUROC value of APGA index, Fibrosis index for diagnosing cirrhosis (F4) were 0.736, 0.782 respectively. APGA index and the Fibrosis index were significantly positively correlated with the fibrosis stage (p < 0.001), with the APGA index showing the strongest correlation (r = 0.51, p < 0.001). Conclusions: The APGA values of 6.23, 7.88, and 8.99 can serve as cutoff points for the diagnosis of significant fibrosis (≥F2), advanced fibrosis (≥F3), and cirrhosis (F4) when combined with ARFI data.

Study protocol: Early neurological deterioration in patients with minor stroke, frequency, predictors, and outcomes in Vietnam single-centre study.

Early neurological deterioration (END) is progressive neurological deterioration with an increase in NIHSS score of 2 points or more in the first 72 hours from the onset of acute ischemic stroke. END increases the risk of poor clinical outcomes at day 90 of ischemic stroke. We will study the frequency, predictors, and outcomes of patients with END in a case-control study at a comprehensive stroke centre in Vietnam. of the design is a descriptive observational study, longitudinal follow-up of patients with minor stroke hospitalized at the Stroke Center of Bach Mai Hospital from December 1, 2023, to December 1, 2024. Minor stroke patients characterized by NIHSS score ≤ 5 hospitalized within 24 hours of symptom onset will be recruited. The estimated END rate is about 30%, relative accuracy ε = 0.11, 95% reliability, expected 5% of patients lost data or follow-up, and an estimated sample size of 779 patients. This study will help determine the END rate in patients with minor stroke and related factors, thereby building a prognostic model for END. Our study determined the END rate in patients with minor stroke in Vietnam and also proposed risk factors for minor stroke management and treatment.

Hyponutrition among newly diagnosed gastric cancer.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to determine the malnutrition status among Vietnamese patients newly diagnosed with gastric cancer (GC). BACKGROUND: GC remains the top rank of common and deadly diseases. With limited clinical manifestation, most GC patients were diagnosed at late stages when tumor is not radically resected. Malnutrition was associated with poor prognosis of GC, such as prolonged hospitalization, limited treatment efficacy and low survival rate. METHODS: The cross-sectional descriptive study recruited 77 patients newly diagnosed with GC and 90 healthy individuals (HC). The data used for this study were approved by the local Ethical Committee. The data were analysed on STATA 14.0 and GraphPad Prism 8.0. RESULTS: We observed the male dominant distribution in GC cohort and over 65% of GC were firstly diagnosed at advanced stages (III and IV). Anemia was detected in about 50% of GC patients. Hyponutrition was prevalent in newly diagnosed GC. We found the decreased tendency of anemia related indexes from HC to early stages (I and II) and advanced stages (III and IV) of GC patients. CONCLUSION: Anemia and hypoproteinemia occurred frequently among Vietnamese newly diagnosed GC. The nutrition therapy would benefit GC patients (Tab. 4, Fig. 4, Ref. 20).

Health-state utility of patients with HER2-positive breast cancer in Vietnam: A multicenter cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer may have poor prognoses and short overall and disease-free survival. Most previous studies focused on assessing the quality of life and health-state utility of the general population of breast cancer patients. The number of studies for HER2-positive breast cancer patients is negligible. This study investigated the health-state utility and its associated factors among Vietnamese patients with HER2-positive breast cancer. METHODS: We conducted face-to-face interviews with 301 HER2-positive breast cancer patients to collect data. Their health-state utility was measured via the EQ-5D-5L instrument. The Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests were employed to compare the differences in utility scores between two groups and among three groups or more, respectively. Factors associated with patients' heath-state utility were identified via Tobit regression models. RESULTS: Pain/discomfort (56.1%) and anxiety/depression (39.5%) were the two issues that patients suffered from the most, especially among metastatic breast cancer patients. The severity of distress (depression, anxiety, and stress) in patients was relatively mild. Of 301 patients, their average utility score was 0.86±0.17 (range: 0.03-1.00), and the average EQ-visual analogue scale (VAS) score was 69.12±12.60 (range: 30-100). These figures were 0.79±0.21 and 65.20±13.20 for 102 metastatic breast cancer patients, significantly lower than those of 199 non-metastatic cancer patients (0.89±0.13 and 71.13±11.78) (p<0.001), respectively. Lower health-state utility scores were significantly associated with older age (p = 0.002), lower education level (p = 0.006), lower monthly income (p = 0.036), metastatic cancer (p = 0.001), lower EQ-VAS score (p<0.001), and more severe level of distress (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings showed a significant decrement in utility scores among metastatic breast cancer patients. Patients' health-state utility differed by their demographic characteristics (age, education level, and income) and clinical characteristics (stage of cancer and distress). Their utility scores may support further cost-effectiveness analysis in Vietnam.