Long-COVID Prevalence and Its Association with Health Outcomes in the Post-Vaccine and Antiviral-Availability Era.

After recovering from COVID-19, patients may experience persistent symptoms, known as post-COVID-19 syndrome or long COVID, which include a range of continuing health problems. This research explores the prevalence, associated factors, and overall health outcomes of long COVID during a period of extensive vaccination and antiviral treatment availability in Thailand. This observational study involved 390 adult patients with COVID-19 between January and March 2022.

The National Early Warning Score 2 with Age and Body Mass Index (NEWS2 Plus) to Determine Patients with Severe COVID-19 Pneumonia.

(1) Background: Early identification of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia at the initial phase of hospitalization is very crucial. To address this, we validated and updated the National Early Warning Score 2 (NEWS2) for this purpose. (2) Methods: We conducted a study on adult patients with COVID-19 infection in Chiang Mai, Thailand, between May 2021 and October 2021.

Neutralizing antibody and T-cell responses against SARS-CoV-2 variants by heterologous CoronaVac/ChAdOx-1 vaccination in elderly subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background: Data on humoral and cellular immune responses against SARS-CoV-2 after receiving heterologous CoronaVac/ChAdOx-1 (CoVac/ChAd) vaccination in subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are still limited. Therefore, we determined the neutralizing antibody (NAb) and T-cell responses against SARS-CoV-2 wild type (WT) and variants of concern (VOCs) in COPD patients.

Methods: The levels of NAb as well as specific CD4 and CD8 T-cell responses against SARS-CoV-2 WT and VOCs were determined in COPD patients before and after vaccination.

Levels and durability of neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron and other variants after ChAdOx-1 or BNT162b2 booster in CoronaVac-primed elderly individuals.

The outbreak of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant raised the need for vaccine boosting. We evaluated the efficiency of the third booster vaccine, ChAdOx-1 or BNT162b2, in causing a neutralizing antibody (NAb) response and its durability against the Omicron and other variants in elderly individuals previously vaccinated with 2-dose CoronaVac inactivated vaccine. After receiving 2-dose CoronaVac, only 2.

Validation of the Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index Risk Classification and the 2019 European Society of Cardiology Risk Stratification in the Southeast Asian Population with Acute Pulmonary Embolism.

Aim: To date, no studies representing the Southeast Asian population have validated the Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index (PESI) and 2019 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) risk stratification. Therefore, this study aimed to validate the PESI score, simplified PESI (sPESI), PESI risk classification, and 2019 ESC risk stratification in Southeast Asian patients with acute pulmonary embolism (APE).

Methods: The present study is a 10-year cross-sectional study.

Blood Lactate Level and the Predictor of Death in Non-shock Septic Patients.

Objective: To evaluate the association of initial blood lactate with mortality and subsequent septic shock in non-shock septic patients.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital, Chiang Mai University, Muang, Chiang Mai, Thailand. Inclusion criteria included septic patients admitted to a non-critical medical ward and had initial serum lactate at the emergency department (ED).

The National Early Warning Score 2(NEWS2) to Predict Early Progression to Severe Community-Acquired Pneumonia.

This study aimed to assess the predictive performance of the National Early Warning Score 2 (NEWS2) to identify the early progression to severe disease in patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). A prospective-cohort study was conducted among patients with CAP admitted to a university hospital between October 2020 and December 2021. The endpoint of interest was the progression to severe CAP, defined as the requirement for a mechanical ventilator, a vasopressor, or death within 72 h after hospital admission.

Predictive Ability of the National Early Warning Score in Mortality Prediction of Acute Pulmonary Embolism in the Southeast Asian Population.

Background: The National Early Warning Scores (NEWS) easily and objectively measures acute clinical deterioration. However, the performance of NEWS to predict mortality in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (APE) is still required. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of the NEWS in predicting the mortality of patients with APE.

Humoral and cellular immune responses against SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern induced by heterologous CoronaVac/ChAdOx-1 versus homologous ChAdOx-1 vaccination in the elderly.

Background: The concept of heterologous vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 infection has been adopted in Thailand with limited data on the induction of humoral and cellular immunity, particularly the CoronaVac/ChAdOx-1 (CoVac/ChAd) regimen in the elderly.

Objective: In this study, the immune responses of the elderly induced by heterologous CoVac/ChAd and homologous ChAdOx-1 (ChAd/ChAd) vaccinations were demonstrated.

Methods: A prospective observational study involving healthy participants aged ≥ 60 years who received heterologous CoVac/ChAd or homologous ChAd/ChAd vaccination was conducted.

Neutralizing Antibody and T-Cell Responses against SARS-CoV-2 Wild-Type and Variants of Concern in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Subjects after ChAdOx-1/ChAdOx-1 Homologous Vaccination: A Preliminary Study.

Data on immunogenicity of adenovirus-vectored vaccine in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients is limited. Therefore, we aimed to determine the humoral and cellular immune responses after homologous ChAdOx-1 vaccination in subjects with COPD. COPD subjects and age- and sex-matched healthy elderly receiving ChAdOx-1 homologous vaccination were included.

Clinical Characteristics, Risk Factors, and Outcomes of Acute Pulmonary Embolism in Asian Population.

Background: Acute pulmonary embolism (APE) is a common condition with increasing worldwide incidence. However, the clinical characteristics, risk factors, and clinical outcomes of APE in the Asian population especially in the Thai population are still limited. Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify the clinical characteristics, risk factors, and clinical outcomes of APE in the Asian population.

Correlation of Air Pollution and Prevalence of Acute Pulmonary Embolism in Northern Thailand.

Background: The relationship between the level of air pollution and acute pulmonary embolism (APE) has had inconsistent results.

Objective: This study aimed to analyze the relationship between the high level of air pollution exposure and APE.

Methods: A ten-year retrospective cohort, single-center study was performed on patients diagnosed with APE from October 2010 to December 2020.

Automatic Driver Drowsiness Detection Using Artificial Neural Network Based on Visual Facial Descriptors: Pilot Study.

Purpose: Driving while drowsy is a major cause of traffic accidents globally. Recent technologies for detection and alarm within automobiles for this condition are limited by their reliability, practicality, cost, and lack of clinical validation. In this study, we developed an early drowsiness detection algorithm and device based on the "gold standard brain biophysiological signal" and facial expression digital data.

Effect of particulate matter 2.5 on QT dispersion in patients with chronic respiratory disease.

PM2.5 air pollutants increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias. The prolonged corrected QT interval (QTc) and QT dispersion (QTd) is common in patients with chronic airway disease and is associated with heightened risk of ventricular tachyarrhythmia.

Correlation Analysis of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 RBD IgG and Neutralizing Antibody against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variants after Vaccination.

Various vaccines have been developed to control the COVID-19 pandemic, but the available vaccines were developed using ancestral SARS-CoV-2 wild-type (WT) strains. Commercial anti-SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain (RBD) antibody assays have been established and employed for validation of vaccine efficacy. However, these assays were developed before the SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) emerged.

Neutralizing antibody and T cell responses against SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern following ChAdOx-1 or BNT162b2 boosting in the elderly previously immunized with CoronaVac vaccine.

Background: The existence of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) in association with evidence of breakthrough infections despite vaccination resulted in the need for vaccine boosting. In elderly individuals, information on the immunogenicity of booster vaccinations is limited. In countries where the CoronaVac inactivated vaccine is the primary vaccine, the appropriate boosting regimen is not clear.

Peripheral Blood Monocyte to Lymphocyte Ratio for Prediction of Tuberculous Pleuritis.

Objective: To examine the peripheral monocyte to lymphocyte ratio (ML ratio) of patients with tuberculous (TB) pleuritis and the ML ratio changes after treatment.

Methods: Clinical and laboratory information were collected from patients with lymphocytic exudative pleural effusion admitted to Chiang Mai University Hospital from 2013 to 2019. This study compared the ML ratios between tuberculous pleuritis and other diagnoses in patients who were followed after treatment.

Validity and Reliability of a Thai Version of Family Satisfaction with Care in the Intensive Care Unit Survey.

Purpose: To examine reliability and validity of a Thai version of the Family Satisfaction with Intensive Care Unit (FS-ICU 24) questionnaire and use this survey in intensive care units (ICUs) in Thailand.

Materials And Methods: The standard English FS-ICU questionnaire was translated into the Thai language using translation and culture adaptation guidelines. After reliability and validity testing, we consecutively surveyed the satisfaction of family members of ICU patients over 1 year.

Tuberculosis among Healthcare Workers at Chiang Mai University Hospital, Thailand: Clinical and Microbiological Characteristics and Treatment Outcomes.

Tuberculosis (TB) among healthcare workers (HCWs) highly affects morbidity and TB transmission in hospitals. A retrospective cohort study of TB among HCWs (HCW-TB) was conducted using a registered database from 2003 to 2016 at Chiang Mai University Hospital to determine clinical and microbiological characteristics and treatment outcomes of HCW-TB. A total of 76 patients comprising 54 nurses (71.

Effects of seasonal smog on asthma and COPD exacerbations requiring emergency visits in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Background: Seasonal smog produces particulate matters that are less than 10 microns in diameter (PM₁₀), which are known to have several impacts on the respiratory system.

Objective: This study was to determine the association of an increased PM10 level due to seasonal smog in Chiang Mai and emergency visits for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations.

Method: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted between the months of January and March from 2006 until 2009.

Major affective disorders in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease compared with other chronic respiratory diseases.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) have significant impacts on quality of life including psychomotor domain.

Purpose: To evaluate three major affective disorders in subjects with COPD compared with other CRDs and nonill population.

Materials And Methods: The Thai version of Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) was used as a diagnostic instrument for three major affective disorders (generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and panic disorder) by face-to-face interview in assessing patients with CRDs [COPD, asthma, rhinasthma, all asthma (asthma and rhinasthma), and chronic rhinitis], and nonill subjects.

A comparative study of COPD burden between urban vs rural communities in northern Thailand.

Background: COPD prevalence and consequent burden are expected to rapidly increase worldwide. Until now, there has been no community-based study of COPD in Thailand.

Purpose: We aimed to compare the prevalence, clinical characteristics, disease severity, previous diagnosis, and management of COPD between urban and rural communities.

Risk factors of multidrug-resistant, extensively drug-resistant and pandrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii ventilator-associated pneumonia in a Medical Intensive Care Unit of University Hospital in Thailand.

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) caused by Acinetobacter baumannii remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Increasing antimicrobial resistance influences the selection of antibiotic treatment especially pandrug-resistant A. baumannii.

Ventilator-associated pneumonia: epidemiology and prognostic indicators of 30-day mortality.

We conducted a retrospective cohort study in the medical intensive care unit of Chaing Mai University Hospital to describe the epidemiology of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and identify prognostic indicators of 30-day VAP mortality. A total of 621 patients diagnosed with VAP between January 2005 and December 2011 were included. The overall 30-day mortality rate was 44.

Prognostic factors associated with mortality of drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii ventilator-associated pneumonia.

Background: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) caused by drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii is associated with high mortality in critically ill patients. We identified the prognostic factors of 30-day mortality in patients with VAP caused by drug-resistant A. baumannii and compared survival outcomes among multidrug-resistant (MDR), extensively drug-resistant (XDR) and pandrug-resistant (PDR) A.