Quantifying the noncarcinogenic and carcinogenic risks resulting from the inhalation of PM-bound metals: A multicity analysis and implications for public health.

Toxic metals in PM represent a growing public health concern because of their potential health effects. Ambient PM samples were collected from five provinces around Bangkok from December 2020 to December 2021. The concentrations of PM and metals (arsenic, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, nickel, lead, and vanadium) were analyzed.

Assessment of tuberculosis transmission probability in three Thai prisons based on five dynamic models.

This study aimed to assess and compare the probability of tuberculosis (TB) transmission based on five dynamic models: the Wells-Riley equation, two Rudnick & Milton-proposed models based on air changes per hour (ACH) and liters per second per person (L/s/p), the model proposed by Issarow et al, and the Applied Susceptible-Exposed-Infected-Recovered (SEIR) TB transmission model. This study also aimed to determine the impact of model parameters on such probabilities in three Thai prisons. A cross-sectional study was conducted using data from 985 prison cells.

The Association Between PM2.5 Exposure and Diabetes Mellitus Among Thai Army Personnel.

Objectives: This study investigated the association between baseline exposures to particulate matter with a diameter < 2.5 microns (PM2.5) and subsequent temporal changes in PM2.

Metabolic effects of kidney donation: A Bayesian analysis of matched cohorts.

The kidney is a notable site of glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, and fatty acid oxidation. Loss of a kidney after kidney donation might, therefore, affect the glucose and lipid metabolism of the donors. This matched cohort study investigated the effect of nephrectomy on glucose and lipid metabolisms using Bayesian hypothesis testing.

Effect of behavioral activation on time and frequency domain heart rate variability in older adults with subthreshold depression: a cluster randomized controlled trial in Thailand.

Background: Increased prevalence of depression highlights the need for effective interventions. Behavioral activation (BA), which can easily be adapted for non-clinical populations, has been the recommended treatment for depression. It is based on a model of psychopathology explaining that losses or chronically low levels of positive reinforcement yield behavioral and emotional changes in depression and that encouraging individuals to increase their engagement in reinforcing activities can improve their mood and enhance their valuable life experiences.

Predictive validity of the Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths & Injuries (STEADI) program fall risk screening algorithms among community-dwelling Thai elderly.

Background: Fall risk screening using multiple methods was strongly advised as the initial step for preventing fall. Currently, there is only one such tool which was proposed by the U.S.

Predictive validity of three home fall hazard assessment tools for older adults in Thailand.

This study aimed to examine the predictive validity of two internationally well-known instruments, the Modified Home Falls and Accidents Screening Tool (Modified HOME FAST) and the Modified Home Falls and Accidents Screening Tool-Self Report (Modified HOME FAST-SR), and the newly developed Thai Home Falls Hazard Assessment Tool (Thai-HFHAT) (69 items) in predicting falls among older Thai adults. It also aimed to examine the predictive validity of the two abbreviated versions (44 and 27 items) of the Thai-HFHAT, which were developed post hoc to accommodate older adults' limited literacy and poor vision and to facilitate the identification of high-impact home fall hazards that are prevalent in the Thailand context. A prospective cohort study was conducted among 450 participants aged 60 years and above who were assessed by the aforementioned tools at baseline, for which data on fall incidence were then collected during the one-year follow-up.

Effectiveness of Behavioral Activation in Treating Thai Older Adults with Subthreshold Depression Residing in the Community.

Background: In recent years, behavioral activation (BA) has attracted increased interest as an effective depression treatment. However, empirical evidence supporting its effectiveness in non-Western countries is currently limited.

Objective: To examine the effectiveness of BA in reducing depressive symptoms, stress, and anxiety among Thai older adults with subthreshold depression.

Incidence and risk factors associated with injuries during static line parachute training in Royal Thai Army.

Background: Incidence and risk factors of parachute injuries has been studied in developed countries, but not in trainees of the airborne forces in the Royal Thailand Army.

Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted among 992 military personnel who attended the basic airborne training program from February to July 2018. Information sheets were used to collect data about (a) personal demographics; (b) environmental conditions surrounding the parachute practice; and (c) parachute-related injuries.

Increased Risk Of Type 2 Diabetes And Abnormal FPG Due To Shift Work Differs According To Gender: A Retrospective Cohort Study Among Thai Workers In Bangkok, Thailand.

Purpose: The gender differential evidence of the association between shift work and type 2 diabetes risk remains scarce. This longitudinal study determines whether the association between shift-work exposure and type 2 diabetes risk and abnormal fasting plasma glucose (FPG) differs according to gender; the study aims to find the association between shift work and changes in physiological, behavioral, and psychosocial stress.

Patients And Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted among 5947 workers (4647 female and 1300 male) aged ≤60 years old in Bangkok, Thailand.

The Stay Independent Brochure as a Screening Evaluation for Fall Risk in an Elderly Thai Population.

Introduction: The Stay Independent Brochure (SIB) is a widely used fall-risk self-assessment tool, which is part of the Stopping Elderly Accident, Deaths & Injuries (STEADI) program in the US. However, the validity and reliability of the SIB have not been established in an elderly Thai population.

Objective: To construct a fall risk screening tool based on the SIB in a Thai elderly population and investigate its psychometric effect in a community context.

Shift Work and Leukocyte Count Changes among Workers in Bangkok.

Objectives: Previous epidemiological evidence for the association of shift work exposure and increased leukocyte count is cross-sectional in nature, thus limiting cause-effect inference. We therefore used a longitudinal design to: (i) compare leukocyte counts at baseline between shift and day workers and (ii) examine the time trend of leukocyte counts over the follow-up period for these workers.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted among 6737 workers aged <60 years at two large organizations (a humanitarian organization and a university) in Bangkok, Thailand who had participated in at least two annual health check-ups during the period 2005-2016.

Immediate and long-term effects of a very-low-calorie diet on diabetes remission and glycemic control in obese Thai patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Aim: A very-low-calorie diet (VLCD) can reverse the underlying defects of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) in obese subjects. We determined the efficacy, safety, and durability of VLCD in Thai patients with DM and obesity.

Methods: Twenty Thai patients with DM and obesity were enrolled.

Adiponectin gene rs1501299 polymorphism is associated with increased risk of anterior cruciate ligament rupture.

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture is one the most common musculoskeletal soft tissue injuries of the knee. Although the exact mechanisms of this injury remain uncertain, genetic variants have been considered to be an intrinsic risk factor associated with ACL rupture. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to determine whether the adiponectin +276G/T polymorphism is associated with susceptibility to ACL rupture in a Thai population.

Identification of Potential Leverage Points for Self-Management Support Intervention in Thais with Type 2 Diabetes.

Background: Although social-ecological models and multi-level interventions have been recommended for implementing the holistic self-management support for patients with type 2 diabetes, they are complex, costly, and need long-term effort. A more realistic approach would be to identify and implement a single or limited leverage point(s) that is most effective and feasible to create change.

Objective: To assess the independent relationships of the social-environmental supports with self-management behaviors in Thai patients with type 2 diabetes.

Validation and comparison study of three urbanicity scales in a Thailand context.

Background: Validity and reliability of an urbanicity scale is of utmost importance in developing effective strategies to minimize adverse social and health consequences of increased urbanization. A number of urbanicity scales for the quantitative assessment of the "static" feature of an urban environment has been invented and validated by the original developers. However, their comparability and robustness when utilized in another study context were not verified.

Effectiveness of a self-management support program for Thais with type 2 diabetes: Evaluation according to the RE-AIM framework.

Delivering diabetes self-management support is an enormous challenge for healthcare providers with limited human resources. We conducted a cluster randomized controlled trial to assess the effectiveness of a DSMS program incorporating the computer-assisted instruction. The RE-AIM (Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance) framework was applied to evaluate the DSMS program.

A prospective, cluster-randomized controlled trial of exercise program to prevent low back pain in office workers.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of an exercise program focusing on muscle stretching and endurance training on the 12-month incidence of low back pain (LBP) in office workers.

Methods: A 12-month prospective cluster-randomized controlled trial was conducted in healthy office workers with lower-than-normal trunk extension flexibility or trunk muscle endurance. Healthy office workers (n = 563) were randomly assigned at the cluster level into either intervention (n = 282) or control (n = 281) groups.

Effects of an exercise programme on preventing neck pain among office workers: a 12-month cluster-randomised controlled trial.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of an exercise programme focusing on muscle stretching and endurance training on the 12-month incidence of neck pain in office workers.

Methods: A 12-month prospective cluster-randomised controlled trial was conducted in healthy office workers with lower-than-normal neck flexion movement or neck flexor endurance. Participants were recruited from 12 large-scale enterprises.

Prevalence of and factors associated with musculoskeletal symptoms in the spine attributed to computer use in undergraduate students.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the 3-month prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms at the spine attributed to computer use and to identify biopsychosocial factors associated with the prevalence in undergraduate students.

Participants: Undergraduate students who studied at a public university in Thailand.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with a self-administered questionnaire delivered to 3,545 students.

Development of needs and resources for self-management assessment instrument in Thais with type 2 diabetes: cross-cultural adaptation.

Objective: (1) To develop the Chronic Illness Resources Survey (CIRS) questionnaire for Thais with type 2 diabetes and (2) to examine validity and reliability of the instrument.

Material And Method: The present study consisted of two phases, phrase I was development of the comprehensive assessment form, for which the qualitative study was utilized and Glasgow's original CIRS was used as the initial input, and phrases II was tested for validity and reliability of the assessment form, for which quantitative study design was utilized.

Results: Final version of Thai comprehensive CIRS composed of 60 items in seven subscales, physician and health care team, family and friends, personal, community, neighborhood, media and policy, and community organization.

A prospective study of incidence and risk factors for the onset and persistence of low back pain in Thai university students.

This study aimed to examine the 12-month incidence and risk factors for the onset and persistence of low back pain (LBP) in undergraduate students. A 1-year prospective study was carried out among 684 healthy students in a large public university in Thailand. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire and a physical examination.

Development of diabetes telephone-linked care system for self-management support and acceptability test among type 2 diabetic patients.

Objective: Develop the diabetes telephone-linked care system for self-management support and test acceptability in terms of system uses, satisfaction and perception of easiness, helpfulness, and emotion with the system.

Material And Method: The automated telephone system with diabetes knowledge interactive voice response (IVR) subsystem was developed to provide diversified curriculum arrangement including general knowledge module (Knowledge IVR, suggestive segment module (Suggestive IVR) and 10 QA sets for assessment with tailored information feedback (QA IVR). The system could deliver 1,120 messages over five weeks among 112 intervened participants of the on-going randomized controlled trial on its impact on glycemic control.