The effectiveness of traditional Thai massage versus massage with herbal compress among elderly patients with low back pain: A randomised controlled trial.

Objectives: To determine the effectiveness of including an herbal compress in a traditional Thai massage regimen for the care of low back pain in the elderly.

Design And Methods: This study was a randomised controlled trial. The sample consisted of 140 patients suffering from non-specific chronic low back pain, who were randomly assigned to either the TTM (n = 70) or TMH (n = 70) group.

Use of personal protective measures by Thai households in areas with avian influenza outbreaks.

Thailand has had multiple poultry outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 since its first emergence in 2004. Twenty-five human cases of HPAI H5N1 avian influenza have been reported in the country, including 17 fatalities, and contact with infected dead or dying poultry has been identified as a risk factor for human infection. This study assessed the use of protective equipment and hand hygiene measures by Thai poultry-owning households during activities involving poultry contact.

Genetic diversity and population structure of Plasmodium falciparum in Thailand, a low transmission country.

Background: The population structure of the causative agents of human malaria, Plasmodium sp., including the most serious agent Plasmodium falciparum, depends on the local epidemiological and demographic situations, such as the incidence of infected people, the vector transmission intensity and migration of inhabitants (i.e.

Physicians' attitudes and practices regarding advanced end-of-life care planning for terminally ill patients at Chiang Mai University Hospital, Thailand.

This study examined physicians' attitudes toward advanced directives and practices for the end-of-life care at Chiang Mai University Hospital, Thailand. The data were collected from 55 physicians (24 instructors and 31 residents) using self-reported questionnaires. The majority of the participants affirmed the usefulness of the advance directive (AD) for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and respected the patients' wish for this directive, although advanced end-of-life care and resuscitation planning with the patients was limited.

Lipid profile, plasma apolipoproteins, and risk of a first myocardial infarction among Asians: an analysis from the INTERHEART Study.

Objectives: This study sought to determine the prevalence of lipid and lipoprotein abnormalities and their association with the risk of a first acute myocardial infarction (AMI) among Asians.

Background: Patterns of lipid abnormalities among Asians and their relative impact on cardiovascular risk have not been well characterized.

Methods: In a case-control study, 65 centers in Asia recruited 5,731 cases of a first AMI and 6,459 control subjects.

Propofol infusion versus intermittent meperidine and midazolam injection for conscious sedation in ERCP.

Background And Aim: ERCP generally requires longer time than standard endoscopy. Only few studies have shown benefit of intermittent propofol over conventional sedation. This study was conducted to compare satisfaction, recovery score, and recovery/safety profiles for ERCP sedation between continuous infusion of propofol and conventional sedation.

Importance of delayed perfusion with primary angioplasty on short-term mortality in acute myocardial infarction patients.

Background: Early primary coronary interventions (PCI) in acute ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is associated with improved outcome and mortality rate but delayed reperfusion especially after 6 hours is still doubtful in terms of clinical benefits because most myocardial muscle are infarcted after 6 hours of onset of chest pain.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to compare the mortality rate of patients treated with PCI within 6 hours of symptom onset to those treated between 6 to 24 hours after the onset of STEMI.

Material And Method: The present study included consecutive patients from the data of the Fast Track Registry of King Chulalongkorn Hospital from June 1, 1999 to October 31, 2003 to compare the thirty-day mortality of patients treated with early or delayed PCI (0-6 hours vs.

Effectiveness of advance directives for the care of terminally ill patients in Chiang Mai University Hospital, Thailand.

The key hypothesis behind advance directives (ADs) proposes that, if an intervention enhances a person's right to choose, a dying person will not opt for expensive, life-prolonging medical care and an ethically acceptable saving of resources will result. In order to assess the acceptability and effectiveness of ADs in reducing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) attempts and in-hospital death among terminally ill patients in a tertiary care hospital in northern Thailand, a non-randomized, controlled intervention study using an after-only unequivalent control group design was conducted. The majority of the subjects and the surrogates preferred to employ ADs in expressing their preferences on CPR and there was a high level of agreement between the subjects and surrogates on the decision.

Creating and testing the concept of an academic NGO for enhancing health equity: a new mode of knowledge production?

Context: Collaborative action is required to address persistent and systematic health inequities which exist for most diseases in most countries of the world.

Objectives: The Academic NGO initiative (ACANGO) described in this paper was set up as a focused network giving priority to twinned partnerships between Academic research centres and community-based NGOs. ACANGO aims to capture the strengths of both in order to build consensus among stakeholders, engage the community, focus on leadership training, shared management and resource development and deployment.

Health Research Profile to assess the capacity of low and middle income countries for equity-oriented research.

Background: The Commission on Health Research for Development concluded that "for the most vulnerable people, the benefits of research offer a potential for change that has gone largely untapped." This project was designed to assess low and middle income country capacity and commitment for equity-oriented research.

Methods: A multi-disciplinary team with coordinators from each of four regions (Asia, Latin America, Africa and Central and Eastern Europe) developed a questionnaire through consensus meetings using a mini-Delphi technique.

The Thai version of the quality-of-life in epilepsy inventory (QOLIE-31-Thai version): translation, validity and reliability.

Objective: To assess the validity and reliability of the QOLIE-31-Thai Version.

Material And Method: The original questionnaire of the QOLIE-31 was first translated into Thai and, then, item comprehension was assessed. Back translation into English and cross-cultural modification were conducted.

Prescription pattern for treatment of hemorrhoids under the universal coverage policy of Thailand.

The Universal Coverage Policy (UCP) or "30 Baht Scheme" was launched in Thailand in 2001. The policy caused a cutback in the budgets of all public hospitals and health service centers. Traditional medicine was then viewed as an alternative to save costs.

Factors affecting the experiences of drug use by adolescents in a Bangkok slum.

The purpose of this research was to study the demography, financial status, social status, knowledge of amphetamines, perceived harmfulness of amphetamines, and life skills in the prevention of drug abuse in adolescents. The factors leading to drug use among young people were also studied. The study group was composed of 354 subjects aged 12 to 22 years, living in 2 slums in Bangkok.

Attitudes toward advance directives and the impact of prognostic information on the preference for cardiopulmonary resuscitation in medical inpatients in Chiang Mai University Hospital, Thailand.

Our previous study revealed that cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was performed in 65.7% of 411 terminally ill patients who died in a tertiary-care university hospital in northern Thailand. Advance directives (ADs) are needed to ensure that life-sustaining therapies are used more appropriately.

Prevention of chronic kidney and vascular disease: toward global health equity--the Bellagio 2004 Declaration.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) not only reflects target organ injury in systemic vascular disease in the general population and in association with diabetes, hypertension, and smoking, but it is recognized as one of the major risk factors in the pathogenesis and outcome of cardiovascular disease. Recent surveys have revealed that the prevalence of CKD, particularly the hidden mild form (mildly elevated levels of serum creatinine or urinary albumin excretion), is surprisingly high in the general population. In recent years, the global epidemic of type 2 diabetes has led to an alarming increase in the number of patients with CKD.

A study of 225 Malayan pit viper bites in Thailand.

This study evaluated factors affecting the severity of bite site necrosis and systemic symptoms resulting from envenomation among patients bitten by Malayan pit vipers (Calloselasma rhodostoma) in Thailand. We studied 145 victims prospectively. An additional 80 medical records were obtained for a retrospective study.

A study of Thai cobra (Naja kaouthia) bites in Thailand.

This study evaluated factors affecting the severity of bite site necrosis and systemic symptoms resulting from envenomation among patients bitten by Thai cobras (Naja kaouthia) in Thailand. We studied 45 victims prospectively. An additional 40 medical records were obtained for a retrospective study.

Patterns, appropriateness, and predictors of antimicrobial prescribing for adults with upper respiratory infections in urban slum communities of Bangkok.

Upper respiratory tract infections (URIs) are the most common infections worldwide. Their frequent inappropriate treatment with antibiotics is likely to increase antibiotic resistance, contribute to morbidity and mortality, and waste scarce resources. Using data from registration books and prescriptions, we measured patterns and assessed appropriateness and predictors of antibiotic prescribing for viral and bacterial URIs treated in health centers located in two slum communities in Bangkok, Thailand.

Demographic and epidemiologic transition in the developing world: role of albuminuria in the early diagnosis and prevention of renal and cardiovascular disease.

The developing world is facing a real pandemic of renal and cardiovascular disease. With the decrease of infectious disease morbidity and mortality, and the exposure to more westernized life style, signs of increasing renal and cardiovascular disease is particularly shown in the tremendous rise in type 2 diabetes and its sequelae. A group of doctors and scientists from all over the world have convened in Bellagio to halt this dramatic disease change and burden to the developing countries.

Association of psychosocial risk factors with risk of acute myocardial infarction in 11119 cases and 13648 controls from 52 countries (the INTERHEART study): case-control study.

Background: Psychosocial factors have been reported to be independently associated with coronary heart disease. However, previous studies have been in mainly North American or European populations. The aim of the present analysis was to investigate the relation of psychosocial factors to risk of myocardial infarction in 24767 people from 52 countries.

Sexual behaviors and opinions on sexuality of adolescents in a slum community in Bangkok.

This study was a survey research aiming to investigate sexual behaviors and opinions on sexuality of adolescents in a slum community. The study group comprised of 377 adolescents aged 12-22 years in a slum community in Bangkok randomly selected, and data were collected using self-administered questionnaires. Results indicated that 18.

Single hydrogen peroxide vaginal douching versus single-dose oral metronidazole for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of single hydrogen peroxide vaginal douching and a single oral dose of metronidazole for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis.

Method: A randomized trial was performed at the outpatient clinic in King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital. 142 patients diagnosed as having bacterial vaginosis were randomly allocated into two groups.

Compliance with treatment of adult epileptics in a rural district of Thailand.

Background: Epilepsy, a disease when seizures can occur from antiepileptic drug withdrawal, requires regular drug taking. Non-compliance, therefore, is a major factor contributing to sub-optimal control of the seizures.

Purpose: To determine the factors associated with noncompliance in epileptics in rural Thailand.

Prevalence of epilepsy in rural Thailand: a population-based study.

Background: A study of the community-based burden of illness based upon prevalence is needed to plan intervention strategy.

Purpose: To determine the prevalence of epilepsy in a rural population in Thailand.

Method: From January to June, 2000, all of the people in Talardkav sub-district were invited to be interviewed and examined by a neurologist who visited their village.