Search

A 68-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital for elective total knee arthroplasty in both knees without preceding heparin exposure. She developed adrenal haemorrhage and thrombocytopaenia on postoperative day 12, followed by right leg arterial occlusion and multiple venous intra-abdominal sites thrombosis. After given unfractionated heparin to treat arterial occlusion, platelet count was gradually declined. Spontaneous heparin-induced thrombocytopaenia was diagnosed by heparin-induced platelet activation test with light transmission aggregometry. The patient was successfully treated with fondaparinux and intravenous immunoglobulin. Apixaban was given after recovery of platelet count. Resolution of both thrombus along aorta and adrenal haemorrhage were shown by CT of whole abdomen after 2 months of treatment. Our case demonstrates that this serious complication is important but seldom recognised early.

Background The association between gastrointestinal (GI) cancer and a high incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) is well known. Previous randomized controlled studies demonstrated that direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) effectively treat cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT). However, some DOACs appeared to increase the risk of bleeding, particularly in patients with GI malignancies. Therefore, the current systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of DOACs in GI cancer-associated thrombosis. Methods Two investigators individually reviewed all studies that compared DOACs and low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWHs) in GI cancer-associated thrombosis and were published in MEDLINE and EMBASE before February 2022. The effect estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) from each eligible study were combined using the Mantel–Haenszel method. Results A total of 2226 patients were included in the meta-analysis. The rates of major bleeding in the DOAC and LMWH groups were not significantly different (relative risk [RR]: 1.31; 95% CI: 0.84–2.04; P = 0.23; I2 = 41%). However, the rate of clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding (CRNMB) was significantly higher in the DOAC group (RR: 1.76; 95% CI: 1.24–2.52; P = 0.002; I2 = 8%). The risks of recurrent VTE in the groups did not significantly differ (RR: 0.72; 95% CI: 0.49–1.04; P = 0.08; I2 = 0%). Conclusions The current data suggest that treatment of GI cancer-associated thrombosis with DOACs significantly increases the risk of CRNMB. However, the risk of major bleeding was not significantly different. The efficacy of DOACs for preventing recurrent VTE in GI cancer was comparable to that of LMWHs. Trial registration INPLASY202180113.

BackgroundThe association between gastrointestinal (GI) cancer and a high incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) is well known. Previous randomized controlled studies demonstrated that direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) effectively treat cancer-associated VTE (CAT). However, some DOACs appeared to increase the risk of bleeding, particularly in patients with GI malignancies. Therefore, the current systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of DOACs in GI cancer-associated thrombosis.MethodsAll relevant studies that compared DOACs and low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) in GI cancer-associated thrombosis that were published before December 2020 were individually searched in two databases (MEDLINE and EMBASE) by two investigators. The effect estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CI) from each eligible study were combined using the Mantel-Haenszel method.ResultsA total of 1,418 patients were included in this meta-analysis. The rate of major bleeding was not significantly different between groups (relative risk [RR]: 1.57, 95% CI: 0.93-2.65, P=0.09, I2=34%). However, the rate of clinically relevant non-major bleeding (CRNMB) was significantly higher in the DOACs group (RR: 1.98, 95% CI: 1.34-2.91, P=0.0005, I2=0%). The risk of recurrent VTE was not significantly different between groups (RR: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.41-1.28, P=0.27, I2=0%).ConclusionsThe current data suggests that treatment of GI cancer-associated thrombosis with DOACs significantly increases the risk of CRNMB, and a trend towards major bleeding risk in DOACs group. The efficacy of DOACs for preventing recurrent VTE in GI cancer was comparable to that of LMWHs.Trial registration: INPLASY202180113

BackgroundVaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT) is a rare but fatal complication of Coronavirus Disease 2019 vaccine. Many reports of VITT have mostly been in the Caucasian population. Here, we present first reported case from an oriental population.Case presentationA 26-year-old female who had severe headache and severe thrombocytopenia 8 days after administration of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine developed by AstraZeneca. Although no thrombosis was demonstrated by imaging studies, she had very highly elevated d-dimer level during hospitalization. Serology for antibody against platelet factor 4 was positive on several days with very high optical density readings. Furthermore, we found the antibody could induce spontaneous platelet aggregation without the presence of heparin. We decided to treat her with intravenous immunoglobulin, high-dose dexamethasone, and a prophylactic dose of apixaban. She improved rapidly and was discharged from the hospital 6 days after admission. Neither thrombocytopenia nor thrombosis was subsequently detected at three weeks follow-up.ConclusionsDespite lower rate of thrombosis, VITT can present in Asian population. Early detection and prompt treatment of VITT can improve patients’ clinical outcome. Thromboprophylaxis of non-heparin anticoagulants also results in prevention of clot formation.

N/A

Malayan pit vipers (Calloselasma rhodostoma) are major health hazard in Southern Thailand causing systemic bleeding by defibrination and thrombocytopenia. Twenty minute whole blood clotting test (20WBCT) is a useful and informative bedside test recommended by WHO for diagnosis of significant coagulopathy following snakebite envenoming since it to some extent predicts the need for anti-venom therapy. Prothrombin time (PT), international normalized ratio (INR) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) are standard clotting assays that are widely used for diagnosis of coagulopathy. The purpose of this study is to compare 20WBCT with the standard clotting assays (PT, INR, APTT, fibrinogen) in management of Malayan pit viper bitten-patients. We studied 296 victims prospectively during a 3-year period. In total, 115 (38.9%) cases showed a positive 20WBCT (un-clot) suggesting systemic envenomation. Thrombocytopenia (platelet count less than 100,000/μL), prolonged PT, prolonged APTT, INR ≥ 1.2, and fibrinogen level100 mg/dl were found in 12.2%, 47.6%, 18.9%, 34.8% and 40.9%, respectively. Significant predictors for thrombocytopenia by multivariate analysis included systemic bleeding (p 0.001), higher INR (p 0.001), 20WBCT showing unclotted blood (p = 0.049), and longer bite-to-hospital time (p = 0.031). When a fibrinogen level below 100 mg/dl was determined as hypofibrinogenemic condition, INR had the highest area under ROC curve followed by 20WBCT and APTT, respectively, to identify such as hypofibrinogenemic condition. The diagnostic accuracy of 20WBCT and INR at or more than 1.155 were better than APTT at any cut-off points. INR1.155 had a sensitivity of 78.5% and specificity of 90.3% while 20WBCT had sensitivity of 81.0% and specificity of 90.3%. CONCLUSIONS: Both 20WBCT and INR are useful to assess coagulation abnormality in Malayan pit viper-bitten patients.

Hemoglobin E (Hb E) possesses an influence on HbA1c levels. Careful interpretation of HbA1c is needed in areas with a high prevalence of Hb E, including Thailand. Therefore, the normal levels of HbA1c in non-diabetic Hb E subjects were collected and assessed.A cross-sectional study was conducted in Hb E subjects aged 18 years and above (N=70). An oral glucose tolerance test was performed. HbA1c levels were measured with 3 assays: ion exchange HPLC, immunoassay (ImmA), and enzymatic assay (EnzA). Individuals who received regular blood transfusions and diabetic patients were excluded.Among 34 subjects with heterozygous Hb E (EA), the mean (±SD) HbA1c levels by HPLC, ImmA, and EnzA were 5.63±0.55%, 4.73±0.62%, and 5.29±0.37%, respectively. Among 29 subjects with homozygous Hb E (EE), the mean (±SD) HbA1c levels by HPLC, ImmA, and EnzA were 3.37±0.69%, 4.37±0.76, and 4.91±0.28%, respectively. Immunoassay and enzymatic methods seem preferable over HPLC for this population. The HbA1c level of 5.7 (99There are subjects with hemoglobin E whose HbA1c levels are deemed inaccurate due to the techniques used. Within this study normal HbA1c levels were determined by 3 different assays. The HbA1c level of 5.7 by immunoassay (Advia, 1600) is proposed as the cut-off point for diagnosing subjects at risk of diabetes.

Background and aims Diagnosis of thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) relies on microscopic schistocyte determination by an experienced microscopist. In addition, schistocytes can be found in non‐TMA–related disorders such as thalassaemia. We aimed to compare the accuracy of the automated haematology analyser Sysmex XN‐3000 for schistocyte detection, to that of the microscopy approach, in patients suspected of having schistocytosis. Methods Consecutive blood samples were collected between April 2016 and March 2017 at Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. Specimens were collected from adults with suspected TMA or with thalassaemia trait and/or disease. All blood samples were examined by both microscopy and the analyser. Samples were considered to be positive for schistocytes (ie, schistocytosis) if they had a schistocyte count ≥1% by microscopy. The analyser's ability to determine schistocytosis was assessed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Sensitivity, specificity, positive (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of an appropriate cut‐off point were calculated, with manual microscopy as the standard. Quantitative agreement in schistocyte counts between the two approaches was assessed using 95% limits of agreement, Bland‐Altman plots, intraclass correlation coefficient, and concordance correlation coefficient. Results Ninety‐seven blood samples (62 suspected TMA and 35 thalassaemia) were collected. ROC curve analysis of the analyser for determining schistocytosis showed an area under the curve of 0.803 (95% confidence interval, 0.689‐0.917, P < 0.001). A cut‐off point of 0.6% yielded 86.1% sensitivity, 77.8% specificity, 94.4% PPV, and 56.0% NPV. The automated schistocyte count did not quantitatively agree with schistocyte counts by microscopy, neither in all blood specimens (mean of difference: −1.09; 95% limits of agreement, −11.9 to 9.7) nor in the subgroups (TMA, −0.88; 95% limits of agreement, −6.60 to 4.84; thalassaemia, −2.4; 95% limits of agreement, −14.10 to 9.30). The differences in the estimation of fragmented red blood cells between the methods tended to increase at higher schistocyte counts. Conclusion Sysmex XN‐3000 can be used for qualitative measurement of schistocytosis, but should not be used as a quantitative tool for schistocyte counting. Improvements are needed before this analyser's schistocyte detection feature can be recommended for use in clinical practice.

Copper deficiency is an uncommon, but treatable cause of hematologic abnormalities. We present and describe two interesting cases in this report. The first case was a 37-year-old man with history of short bowel syndrome and long-term total parenteral nutrition (TPN) presenting with pancytopenia and chronic symmetrical polyarthritis that resembled rheumatoid arthritis. The second case was a 64-year-old man with malabsorption from Cronkhite-Canada Syndrome (CCS) and history of subtotal gastrectomy presenting with macrocytic anemia and neutropenia. Bone marrow examination in both cases revealed cytoplasmic vacuolization of myeloid and erythroid precursors. After copper supplementation was initiated, hematological abnormalities and arthritis were significantly improved. We encourage clinicians to recognize early and identify copper deficiency in patients who have unexplained cytopenia, especially if there is history of upper gastrointestinal tract surgery, malabsorption, or long-term TPN.

Background Random skin biopsy (RSB) is a method for diagnosis of intravascular lymphoma (IVL). However, the indications for RSB to diagnose IVL have not yet been established. The aim of this study was to determine the appropriate indications for RSB to diagnose IVL. Methods Thirty-two patients with fever of unknown origin (FUO) and without skin lesion underwent RSB for diagnosis of IVL. Clinical data, including fever, neurological symptoms, hematologic disorders, organomegaly, bone marrow (BM) study, hypoxemia and serum level of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), were evaluated. Results Seven of 32 patients were definitively diagnosed with IVL. In addition to FUO, 2 IVL patients also suffered from dyspnea and neurological disorders. Patients who had FUO with accompanying hematologic disorders, high LDH, negative BM study and no lymphadenopathy or hepatosplenomegaly had a significant tendency to have IVL by RSB (P = .03). FUO with hypoxemia was also identified as a significant indication for RSB (P = .02). Conclusions RSB is a reliable method for diagnosis of IVL, especially in patients with FUO and any 1 or more of the 4 following abnormalities: (1) hematologic abnormalities; (2) high serum LDH; (3) hypoxemia; and/or, (4) unusual neurological symptoms with co-existing hematologic abnormalities and without lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly or BM abnormality.

In diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), bone marrow (BM) involvement confirmed by BM biopsy confers a poor prognosis. However, in clinical practice, there may be disagreement in results between BM biopsy and BM aspiration in determination of BM involvement. It is unknown which of BM biopsy or BM aspiration better correlates with clinical outcome.To evaluate clinical outcome of BM involvement as confirmed by BM aspiration vs. confirmation by BM biopsy in patients with DLBCL.Clinical data, treatment, and outcome of 126 DLBCL patients with available BM aspirate slides who attended the Hematology Clinic at Siriraj Hospital between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2009 were reviewed. BM aspirate slides were revised and interpreted by hematologists.BM involvement was found in 12.7% (16/126) by BM biopsy and 24.6% (31/126) by BM aspiration. Regarding BM biopsy results, rates of complete remission (CR) among patients with unequivocal involvement, equivocal involvement, and without involvement were 75.0%, 57.1%, and 77.7%, respectively (p = 0.464). Two-year overall survival (OS) rates among the three groups were not significantly different (p = 0.663). Regarding BM aspiration results, CR rates among patients with unequivocal involvement, equivocal involvement, and without involvement were 80.6%, 75.8%, and 72.7% (p = 0.755). Two-year OS rates among the three groups were not significantly different (p = 0.118). In multivariate analysis, BM involvement as determined by either BM biopsy or BM aspiration was not associated with CR rate or 2-year OS rates. However, the International Prognostic Index (PI) and use of rituximab were found to be signifcantly associated with CR rate and OS.In patients with DLBCL, BM involvement confirmed by either BM biopsy or BM aspiration appears not to influence the rate of complete remission or 2-year overall survival.

Hereditary hemochromatosis is an iron overload disorder that can lead to the impairment of multiple organs and is caused by mutations in one or more different genes. Type 1 hemochromatosis is the most common form of the disease and results from mutations in the HFE gene. Juvenile hemochromatosis (JH) is the most severe form, usually caused by mutations in hemojuvelin (HJV) or hepcidin (HAMP). The autosomal dominant form of the disease, type 4, is due to mutations in the SLC40A1 gene, which encodes for ferroportin (FPN). Hereditary hemochromatosis is commonly found in populations of European origin. By contrast, hemochromatosis in Asia is rare and less well understood and can be masked by the presence of iron deficiency and secondary iron overload from thalassemia. Here, we provide a comprehensive report of hemochromatosis in a group of patients of Asian origin. We have identified novel mutations in HJV, HAMP, and SLC40A1 in countries not normally associated with hereditary hemochromatosis (Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Thailand). Our family studies show a high degree of consanguinity, highlighting the increased risk of iron overload in many countries of the developing world and in countries in which there are large immigrant populations from these regions.

S100 T-cell lymphomas are infrequent, and except 1 all have been CD4 negative. On the basis of an index case of CD4 S100 T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia (T-PLL), we studied S100 protein expression in 19 additional T-PLLs and 56 other T-cell lymphomas that are usually CD4, including 15 angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphomas, 24 anaplastic large cell lymphomas (16 ALK and 8 ALK), 7 mycosis fungoides/Sezary syndrome, and 10 peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified (PTCL, NOS). Two additional S100 CD4 PTCL, NOS cases were also reviewed. Thirty percent (6/20) of T-PLLs were S100 compared with 0/56 other T-cell lymphomas with previously unstudied S100 reactivity (40 CD4, 2 CD8, 11 CD4/CD8, 3 unknown) (P=0.0007). There were no significant differences between the S100 and S100 T-PLLs with regard to the male:female ratio (2:1 vs. 1:1), age (71.6±7.7 vs. 65.4±9.3), peripheral blood lymphocyte count (67.2±116.6 vs. 101.1±159.7×10/L), or median survival (463 vs. 578 d, where known). The 2 S100 PTCL, NOS cases occurred in a 7-year-old boy and a 45-year-old woman. Both had involvement of the bone marrow and peripheral blood but were morphologically unlike T-PLL and lacked TCL1 gene rearrangement. These results demonstrate that S100 T-cell lymphomas include a subset that are CD4 and most often, but not exclusively, are T-PLL. Although having diagnostic implications, there were no documented clinical differences between the S100 and S100 T-PLLs.

To evaluate the effect of program training atmosphere on the academic performance among internal medicine residents.Data of satisfaction survey among internal medicine residents in academic year 2012, conducted by the Royal College of Physicians of Thailand, were retrieved. Association between training environment rating scores in three major aspects (program training structure, faculty nurturance, and support system) and board certifying examination scores, were then assessed.There were 12 training centers with 535 residents in that academic year. The mean satisfaction score for second-year residents was 77.1 ± 6.1, and the mean written examination score was 56.4 ± 4.6, with the modest correlation (r = 0.515, p = 0.087). For the third-year residents, the mean satisfaction score was 78.5 ± 6.5 and the mean clinical examination score was 71.1 ± 1.6, with no correlation (r = -0.004, p = 0.991). In the subgroup analysis in second-year residents, program training structure had strongest influence (r = 0.569, p = 0.053), as compared to faculty nurturance (r = 0.425, p = 0.169), andsupport system (r = 0.492, p = 0.104).Perception of positive training environment, especially the program training structure, may influence the performance of internal medicine residents in term of knowledge achievement as determined by written examination score. However, it has no effect in terms of clinical skill accomplishments, as determined by clinical examination scores.

Type IV hemochromatosis is associated with dominant mutations in the SLC40A1 gene encoding ferroportin (FPN). Known as the “ferroportin disease,” this condition is typically characterized by high serum ferritin, reduced transferrin saturation, and macrophage iron loading. Previously FPN expression in vitro has been shown to cause iron deficiency in human cell lines and mediate iron export from Xenopus oocytes. We confirm these findings by showing that expression of human FPN in a human cell line results in an iron deficiency because of a 3-fold increased export of iron. We show that FPN mutations A77D, V162Δ, and G490D that are associated with a typical pattern of disease in vivo cause a loss of iron export function in vitro but do not physically or functionally impede wild-type FPN. These mutants may, therefore, lead to disease by haploinsufficiency. By contrast the variants Y64N, N144D, N144H, Q248H, and C326Y, which can be associated with greater transferrin saturation and more prominent iron deposition in liver parenchyma in vivo, retained iron export function in vitro. Because FPN is a target for negative feedback in iron homeostasis, we postulate that the latter group of mutants may resist inhibition, resulting in a permanently “turned on” iron exporter.

To determine the prevalence, clinical profile, and risk factors of high on-clopidogrel treatment platelet reactivity in Thai patients with chronic stable angina scheduled for percutaneous coronary intervention.The patients were prospectively recruited from the consecutive patients undergoing coronary angiography and planned for elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Ten ml of blood samples were cautiously drawn from the antecubital vein of the patients to determine the hemoglobin and platelet count. Platelet aggregation test was performed by light transmittance aggregometry using platelet-rich plasma. Platelets were stimulated with 5 microM adenosine diphosphate (ADP). Platelet aggregation was expressed as the maximal percent change in light transmittance from baseline. High on-clopidogrel treatment platelet reactivity was defined as post treatment maximal platelet aggregation46% with 5 micromol/l ADP used as agonist.The present study consecutively enrolled two hundred four patients diagnosed with chronic stable angina planned for PCI. Seventy-nine patients demonstrated the high on-clopidogrel treatment platelet reactivity (38.7%). Among these patients, 48% were men with a mean age of 66 years. Diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease were detected in 34.2%. Original clopidogrel (Plavix) was prescribed in 72% of the patients and 28% received generic clopidogrel (Apolets). The prevalence of high on-clopidogrel treatment platelet reactivity increased in the older patients, patients with CKD and patients receiving angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB). However from multivariate analysis, none of the risk factors, including age, BMl, diabetes mellitus, smoking, CKD, ARB use, and type of clopidogrel (Plavix versus Apolets) had a statistically significant association with the high on-clopidogrel treatment platelet reactivity.The prevalence of high on-clopidogrel treatment platelet reactivity in the present study was 38.7%. No significant association was demonstrated between age, BMI, diabetes mellitus, smoking, CKD, ARB use, type of clopidogrel, and high on-clopidogrel treatment platelet reactivity.

Acute pulmonary lipiodol embolism is a rare but possibly fatal complication of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE). The authors report a 63-years-old woman with unresectable large (7.4 x 7.9 cm) hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who had been diagnosed pulmonary lipiodol embolism after the first TACE. Intraoperative angiography did not show the communication between pulmonary circulation and tumor feeding artery. After lipiodol injection, she developed oxyhemoglobin desaturation immediately and chest computed tomography (CT) angiography showed lipiodol embolism at basal segments of both lower lobes. She also developed fever after TACE without any evidence of infection. Oxyhemoglobin desaturation had improved to baseline spontaneously within 7 days. Fever persisted for 16 days. Two weeks after TACE, follow-up CT of liver revealed the absence of almost lipiodol granule in lungs. The patient did not receive TACE again because of pulmonary metastasis. In this article we reviewed the cases of pulmonary lipiodol embolism that had been reported in the literature including clinical risk factors, possible mechanisms and the pathophysiology of this complication.

Accidental intrathecal vincristine administration results in progressive ascending radiculomyeloencephalopathy usually leading to fatal outcome. No specific therapy for intrathecal vincristine toxicity has been reported. We report a 63-year-old man with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma at the right testis who inadvertently received intrathecal vincristine. Direct CSF aspiration and irrigation was done 30 minutes after the incident. Ventriculostomy and lumbar drain was placed. Intrathecal irrigation was started at 6.5 hours using FFP-containing lactate solution and continued for 11 days. In addition, antineurotoxic and neuroprotective agents were given. His neurological symptom deteriorated slowly and he died on day 12. Among 16 reported cases undergoing lumbar drainage and/or irrigation, 56.3% can survive 30 days or more and 37.5% had survive more than 6 months. Immediate CSF drainage and early irrigation is related to good outcome (prolonged survival with no encephalopathy). In our case, his poor outcome might be due to the delayed starting of irrigation. In conclusion, the appropriate and effective management of this complication is unknown. However, emergency cerebrospinal fluid drainage and irrigation remains the principal of management.

Since trephine bone marrow biopsy is an invasive procedure, the identification of a subgroup of patients with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) who have a minimal risk of bone marrow involvement would be helpful. This study is aimed to determine the incidence of bone marrow involvement (BMI) by NHL and the predictors of no BMI to not only avoid this invasive procedure but also decrease the cost of investigation.Data from 320 patients with NHL at division of hematology between January 2008 and June 2009 were reviewed and analyzed.The cell types of NHL were classified as B-cell in 283 patients (88.4%), T-cell in 37 patients (11.6%) and incidence of BMI is 24.4% and 18.9% in B- and T-cell, respectively. Factors significantly associated with BMI in univariate analysis were the hepatic and splenic involvement (p = 0.03 and0.01, respectively), significant weight loss (p = 0.02), presence of lymphadenopathy (LN) below diaphragm (p = 0.02), anemia (p = 0.001), low percent of blood neutrophil (p0.001), high percent of blood lymphocyte (p0.001), low absolute neutrophil count (p = 0.002), high absolute lymphocyte count (p = 0.045), low platelet count (p0.001), high LDH (p = 0.026), and high alkaline phosphatase (p = 0.020). On the multivariate analysis, factors associated with BMI included LN below diaphragm, anemia, low percent of blood neutrophil and low platelet count. Excluding Burkitt lymphoma and mantle cell lymphoma, NHL patients with no LN below diaphragm, no hepaticsplenic involvement, no significant weight loss, hemoglobin (Hb)11 g/dL and platelet150,000/uL had BMI in 3/78 (3.8%).The incidence of bone marrow involvement in NHL is 23.8%. Excluding Burkitt lymphoma and mantle cell lymphoma, NHL patients with no LN below diaphragm, no hepaticsplenic involvement, no significant weight loss, Hb11 g/dL and platelet150,000/uL had low risk of BMI.

To assess the predictive value of in-training evaluation for determining future success in the internal medicine board certifying examination.Ninety-seven internal medicine residents from Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital who undertake the Thai Board examination during the academic year 2006-2008 were enrolled. Correlation between the scores during internal medicine rotation and final scores in board examination were then examined.Significant positive linear correlation was found between scores from both written and clinical parts of board certifying examination and scores from the first-year summative written and clinical examinations and also the second-year formative written examination (r = 0.43-0.68, p0.001). Monthly evaluation by attending staffs was less well correlated (r = 0.29-0.36) and the evaluation by nurses or medical students demonstrated inverse relationship (r = -0.2, p = 0.27 and r = -0.13, p = 0.48).Some methods of in-training evaluation can predict successful outcome of board certifying examination. Multisource assessments cannot well extrapolate some aspects of professional competences and qualities.

Warfarin anticoagulation is the standard treatment for patients with thromboembolic diseases. Prior studies recommended commencing warfarin with the initial doses between 5 mg and 10 mg for the first 1 or 2 days. However, lower warfarin loading dose is advised for the elderly and patients with co-morbid diseases. Moreover, warfarin requirement is also affected by several genetic factors, which differ among various ethnic populations. Currently, the optimal initiating dose of warfarin in Thai patients is unknown. However, based on the observation of the clinical practice at Siriraj hospital, a lower starting dose (3 mg/day) of warfarin was commonly given to patients who required long-term anticoagulant therapy.To investigate the efficacy and safety of 3-mg warfarin initiating dose.A retrospective study of inpatients who received warfarin 3 mg/day for the first two days of oral anticoagulation therapy with the target INR of 2.0-3.0 at Siriraj hospital from January 2004-December 2007 was performed. The efficacy of 3-mg warfarin loading dose was determined by assessing the proportion of patients who achieved the target INR of 2.0-3.0 between day 3 and day 5 of warfarin treatment.Total of 164 patients was included in the study. Eighty-six patients (52.4%) were males. The mean age was 55.1 + 16.8 years (range 16-88 years). The mean body weight and serum albumin were 61.5 +/- 12.2 kg and 3.7 +/- 0.7 g/dl, respectively. Prosthetic heart valve replacement was the most common indication for warfarin anticoagulation therapy (36%), followed by deep vein thrombosis (32.3%). The mean cumulative weekly dose of warfarin was 22.3 +/- 5.8 mg. The median time to therapeutic INR (2.0-3.0) was 6 days. Forty-seven patients (29%) achieved therapeutic INR between day 3 and day 5 of warfarin treatment. Time to therapeutic INR was not affected by age, gender, body weight, serum albumin, or concomitant medication use. Interestingly, patients who received warfarin due to prosthetic heart valve replacement were more likely to achieve therapeutic INR between day 3 and day 5 when compared to those with other indications with adjusted OR 16.25 (95% CI 5.13-51.44, p0.001). Bleeding complication was rare (0.6%) and was not associated with excessive anticoagulation.3-mg warfarin initiating dose appeared to be safe in adult Thai patients. However, the efficacy of 3-mg starting dose as determined by the proportion of patients who achieved the target INR between day 3 and day 5 of warfarin treatment was relatively less efficient when compared with that previously reported with a 5-mg loading dose. Further randomized, prospective study is required to examine the efficacy of 3-mg versus higher warfarin starting dose in Thai patients.

A national survey of patients with hemophilia and other congenital bleeding disorders in Thailand was conducted in the years 2000 to 2002. Questionnaires were sent to physicians working at hospitals throughout the country. Although the overall response rate to the questionnaires was 19%, the two highest rates of 80% and 73.7% were found at university and regional hospitals, respectively, where most of the patients received their diagnosis and treatment. A total of 1,450 patients comprised of hemophilia 1,325 cases, von Willebrand disease, 69 cases, congenital factor VII deficiency, 15 cases, hereditary platelet dysfunction, 22 cases, and undefined causes of congenital bleeding disorders, 19 cases. Most were pediatric patients15 years of age. Treatment was mainly given on demand for a bleeding episode, while only 8.6% received additional home treatment for early bleeding episodes. Replacement therapy primarily relied on fresh frozen plasma, cryoprecipitate and cryo-removed plasma. Factor concentrate was seldom used because of the high price. As a result, hemophilia care services in Thailand should be strengthened by providing comprehensive education for medical personnel, making available simple laboratory kits to determine hemophilia A and B, ensuring an adequate supply of blood components and affordable factor concentrate, and establishing home care treatment.

Genetic hemochromatosis (HH) is a common inherited disorder in populations of European origin in which different types of genetic hemochromatosis (type 1–4) have been characterized. Most hemochromatosis-type 1 patients are homozygotes or compound heterozygotes for two HFE mutations C282Y and H63D. Studies of several non-HFE iron overload families led to identification of mutations in hemojuvelin and hepcidin (juvenile form-HFE2A and B), transferrin receptor 2 (HFE3) and ferroportin (HFE4) as a cause of different forms of hemochromatosis. In the Far East, inherited hemochromatosis has rarely been reported and may have been misdiagnosed due to the high prevalence of secondary iron loading from hemoglobin disorders. This report describes, for the first time, non-HFE iron overload in patients from Southeast Asia. The affected Thai family presented with a distinctive clinical phenotype including macrocytosis and elevated transferrin saturation (>95%), increased non-transferrin bound iron (NTBI) as well as raised serum ferritin and marked hepatic hemochromatosis. Our patients tolerated therapeutic phlebotomy well. DNAs from peripheral blood leukocytes were firstly analyzed for three common HFE mutations (C282Y, H63D and IVS5+1 G→A). Subsequently, we screened all coding sequences, promoters and exon/intron boundaries of the HFE, HAMP, TfR2, HJV and SLC40A1 genes using denaturing high performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC). The entire coding region and splice sites of these genes were amplified and directly sequenced. We identified a novel mutation (C326Y) in ferroportin (SLC40A1, IREG-1, MTP-1), a membrane iron transport protein due to a G→A substitution at nucleotide 1281 in exon 7. This mutation was confirmed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis using Sfa NI. Six hundred Thai and two hundred Vietnamese chromosomes were analyzed for the C326Y mutation by RFLP analysis and it was not detected in any of the healthy controls studied. This result suggested that the G→A substitution is not a common polymorphism and is likely to be the causative mutation for the phenotype in this family. Previous reported mutations of ferroportin, including A77D and V162del, which lead to type IV hemochromatosis, were characterized by increased serum ferritin despite normal transferrin saturation, in contrast to our patients’ phenotype. These autosomal dominant mutants are postulated to lead to disease due to loss of iron exporting function. Preliminary in vivo assay using transient transfection of wild-type and ferroportin mutants in HeLa or 293T cells revealed, as expected, a loss of function and diminished surface membrane localisation in A77D and V162del mutants. Surprisingly, the C326Y mutant was indistinguishable from wt ferroportin in both iron status of the cell and protein localization suggesting different pathophysiology leading to iron overload in our patients.