The incidence and prevalence of ankylosing spondylitis in Thailand using ministry of public health database.

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS), an inflammatory condition affecting axial and peripheral joints, exhibits varying prevalence worldwide. This study sought to ascertain AS incidence and prevalence in Thailand from 2017 to 2020. Utilizing national databases, individuals aged 18 and above with primary AS diagnoses (ICD-10 code M45) were identified.

Clinical outcomes and associated factors with mortality in systemic sclerosis patients with sarcopenia.

Background: Despite the high incidence of sarcopenia in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients, there is currently limited evidence on their outcomes.

Objectives: Our study aimed to determine clinical courses, outcomes, and identify factors associated with mortality in the SSc patients with sarcopenia.

Methods: A historical cohort study was conducted in 180 adult SSc patients diagnosed with sarcopenia according to the criteria of Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019, who were attending the Scleroderma Clinic at Khon Kaen University between July 2019 and November 2021.

Clinical courses and predictors of left ventricular systolic dysfunction in systemic sclerosis: A cohort study.

Background And Objectives: Left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) is a cardiac involvement that is the leading cause of death among patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). We aimed to define the clinical course and predictors of LVSD among SSc patients.

Methods: We conducted a cohort study among adult patients with SSc who were followed up from 2013 to 2020.

Outcomes of myocarditis in systemic sclerosis: A 3-year follow-up.

Background And Objectives: The clinical course, the outcomes of myocarditis, and the imaging progression of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in systemic sclerosis (SSc) are still unknown. We aimed at defining changes in cardiac MRI findings, the clinical course, and the outcomes of SSc patients previously defined as having myocarditis by cardiac MRI. Methods: This prospective cohort study included SSc patients, who had previously been diagnosed with myocarditis through cardiac MRI at the Scleroderma Clinic of Khon Kaen University, between 2018 and 2020 and had had annual follow-ups of cardiac MRI for at least 3 years.

Levels of anti-topoisomerase I antibody correlated with short onset of cardiopulmonary involvement in Thai systemic sclerosis patients.

Anti-topoisomerase-I antibody (ATA) is associated with disease severity and internal organ involvement in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). The correlation between ATA levels and the clinical course of SSc is unclear. We aimed to determine the correlation between ATA level and survival time and the onset of internal organ fibrosis in SSc patients.

Incidence of Systemic Vasculitis and Clinical Outcomes in Systemic Sclerosis: 2-Years Follow-Up of Asymptomatic Positive for Anti-Neutrophilic Cytoplasmic Antibody.

Purpose: Anti-neutrophilic cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) overlap with systemic sclerosis (SSc) is uncommon. We aimed to determine the incidence of AAV and define clinical outcomes relevant to asymptomatic screening positive for ANCA in SSc after 2 years of follow-up.

Patients And Methods: The study was a cohort study of 185 Thai adult SSc patients testing for ANCA and having a 2-year follow-up at the Scleroderma Clinic, Khon Kaen University, Thailand.

Incidence and Prevalence of Septic Arthritis in Thailand: A Database from the Ministry of Public Health.

Background: A better understanding of the epidemiological profile of septic arthritis or pyogenic arthritis in Thais could improve care and provide information for better infectious control. We aimed to determine the incidence and prevalence of septic arthritis in Thailand between 2017 and 2020.

Methods: A descriptive epidemiological study was performed using demographic data from patients over 18 years of age having a primary diagnosis of M00 pyogenic arthritis between 2017 and 2020.

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.

Sleep quality and clinical association with sleep disturbance in systemic sclerosis.

Background: Poor sleep quality is a common and potentially debilitating problem in systemic sclerosis (SSc). To date, no data clarifies the potential factors related to poor sleep quality and the clinical associations with sleep disturbance among Thais with SSc-mainly the diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc) subset. We aimed to evaluate sleep quality and identify the clinical association with sleep disturbance among SSc patients.

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.

Attitudes and factors affecting decision-making regarding COVID-19 vaccination among autoimmune rheumatic disease patients.

Background: Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) vaccine hesitancy is a significant threat to the success of COVID-19 vaccination programs.

Objectives: We aimed to assess attitudes and factors affecting the decision-making vis-à-vis COVID-19 vaccination among patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARDs).

Method: A cross-sectional survey of adults with ARDs was conducted between January 2022 and April 2022.

Prevalence and clinical association of sarcopenia among Thai patients with systemic sclerosis.

Patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) have some potential factors associated with an increased risk of sarcopenia. There has been currently no study to examine such associations in SSc patients. We aimed to determine the prevalence of sarcopenia among SSc patients and examine its association with clinical manifestations and laboratory tests.

Predictors for Dry Eye Diseases in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis.

Purpose: To evaluate the prevalence of dry eye disease (DED) in patients with both limited and diffuse subtypes of systemic sclerosis (SSc) and to determine the predictive factors associated with the occurrence of DED.

Patients And Methods: This was a prospective consecutive cross-sectional study of patients with SSc. Each patient underwent a comprehensive ophthalmological evaluation.

Development and validation of machine learning for early mortality in systemic sclerosis.

Clinical predictors of mortality in systemic sclerosis (SSc) are diversely reported due to different healthcare conditions and populations. A simple predictive model for early mortality among patients with SSc is needed as a precise referral tool for general practitioners. We aimed to develop and validate a simple predictive model for predicting mortality among patients with SSc.

Prevalence and clinical associations with primary hypogonadism in male systemic sclerosis.

Background: Systemic sclerosis may affect male and female fertility. Premature ovarian failure has been reported in female systemic sclerosis patients, but the effects on male fertility in systemic sclerosis have not been studied.

Objectives: We aimed to determine the prevalence and clinical associations with primary hypogonadism among male systemic sclerosis patients.

Fingerprint comparison between before disease onset and after systemic sclerosis diagnosis: a monocentric cross-sectional study.

Background: Skin tightness is a hallmark of systemic sclerosis (SSc), and the fingers are an affected body part, so much so that fingerprints can be significantly affected among those with extensive skin tightness of the finger.

Objective: We aimed to compare the difference between the current and past (pre-disease onset) fingerprints of SSc patients.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study among adult SSc patients who attended the Scleroderma Clinic, Khon Kaen University, between October 2019, and September 2020.

Skin thickness affects the result of tuberculin skin test in systemic sclerosis.

Background: Skin thickness is a prominent clinical feature of systemic sclerosis (SSc), but there is no consensus on the cut-off for a positive tuberculin skin test (TST) size and the limitation of the TST for a diagnosis of tuberculosis in SSc. We aimed to identify the cut-off size of an indurated TST and the sensitivity and specificity of the test for the diagnosis of tuberculosis in SSc patients.

Methods: A cross-sectional study of 168 adult Thai SSc patients was conducted.

Skin model for improving the reliability of the modified Rodnan skin score for systemic sclerosis.

Background: The gold standard for skin thickness assessment in systemic sclerosis (SSc) is the modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS); however, inter- and intra-rater variation can arise due to subjective methods and inexperience. The study aimed to determine the inter- and intra-rater variability of mRSS assessment using a skin model.

Methods: A comparative study was conducted between January and December 2020 at Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen University, Thailand.

Management review of scleroderma renal crisis: An update with practical pointers.

Scleroderma renal crisis (SRC) represents severe, fatal internal organ involvement brought on by systemic sclerosis. A high rate of renal replacement therapy and mortality persists despite various treatments. Depending on the stage of SRC, a vasodilator called angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor is the treatment of choice.

Prevalence of peripheral eosinophilia and clinical associations in systemic sclerosis patients.

Background: Peripheral eosinophilia (eosinophilia) is observed among systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients. The association between eosinophilia and SSc in terms of pathogenesis remains uncertain. We aimed to determine the prevalence of the clinical, serological, and cytokine associations with eosinophilia in SSc patients.

Prevalence of moderate to severe lower urinary tract symptoms in systemic sclerosis.

Objective: Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are common in SSc. The severity of symptoms can affect the quality of life (QOL); however, LUTS is often neglected during routine assessments. We determined the prevalence of moderate to severe LUTS in SSc and its associated factors.

The prevalence and clinical features associated of hypothyroidism among Thai systemic sclerosis patients.

Thyroid disease, particularly hypothyroidism, has been reported in systemic sclerosis (SSc). Some clinical features of SSc can also present in hypothyroidism. Our aims were to determine the prevalence of, and describe clinical features associated with, hypothyroidism in SSc patients.

Clinical Outcomes of Asymptomatic Cardiac Involvement in Systemic Sclerosis Patients After a 2-Year Follow-Up (Extended Study).

Background: Asymptomatic cardiac involvement in systemic sclerosis (SSc) has been reported. Long-term follow-up might elucidate the clinical implications of these abnormalities. The aim was to identify the clinical outcomes of asymptomatic cardiac involvement in SSc patients after 2 years of follow-up.

Prevalence and predictive factors of osteoporosis in Thai systemic sclerosis.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is recognized as a chronic inflammatory disease and several SSc-associated factors may increase the risk of osteoporosis and its related fractures. To determine the prevalence and predictive factors of osteoporosis in Thai SSc, a cross-sectional study was designed in adult SSc patients at Scleroderma clinic, Khon Kaen University Hospital. The prevalence of osteoporosis with the 95% confidence interval (CI) were determined and the odds ratio (OR) with 95%CI were assessed the clinical association with osteoporosis.