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Background: Clinical prediction rules (CPRs) are tools that classify the specific characteristics of patients who improve outcome from specific treatments. The specific-direction exercises are useful for non-specific low back pain (NSLBP) patients, but the predictors of CPRs are still limit. Objective: To develop and validate CPRs for predicting improvement of outcome of specific-direction exercise in NSLBP. Materials and Methods: Participant with NSLBP, aged 18 to 65 years, who showed the characteristic of centralization (CEN) or directional preference (DP) in mechanical diagnosis were recruited. The efficacy of specific-direction exercise compared with standard physical therapy within four weeks was first verified. Improvement of the Numeric Pain Scale (NPS) score by at least two points and improvement of the Thai version of the Modified Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire (Thai ODQ) score by at least 20% to 30% were examined. Then, four clinical predictors including current onset of NSLBP, pain area, pain characteristics, and Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ) score were tested for the ability to predict improved outcomes of specific-direction exercise in development and validation phase of CPRs. Results: NSLBP onset at less than six weeks and physical ability score of 14 points or less FABQ were significant predictors of the cumulative effect of specific-direction exercise, which increased the probability to improve the Thai ODQ score by 20% from baseline from 44.6% to 89.6%. NSLBP onset at less than six weeks was the only predictor that increased the probability of improving the Thai ODQ score by 30% from baseline from 45.2% to 71.9%. Conclusion: NSLBP onset at less than six weeks and physical ability score of 14 points or less FABQ were predictors of improved disability outcome within four weeks of specific-direction exercise that were supported by the validation phase of CPRs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Cause-specific mortality statistics by age and sex are primary evidence for epidemiological research and health policy. Annual mortality statistics from vital registration systems in Thailand are of limited utility because about 40% of deaths are registered with unknown or nonspecific causes. This paper reports the rationale, methods, and broad results from a comprehensive study to verify registered causes in Thailand. Methods A nationally representative sample of 11,984 deaths was selected using a multistage stratified cluster sampling approach, distributed across 28 districts located in nine provinces of Thailand. Registered causes were verified through medical record review for deaths in hospitals and standard verbal autopsy procedures for deaths outside hospitals, the results of which were used to measure validity and reliability of registration data. Study findings were used to develop descriptive estimates of cause-specific mortality by age and sex in Thailand. Results Causes of death were verified for a total of 9,644 deaths in the study sample, comprised of 3,316 deaths in hospitals and 6,328 deaths outside hospitals. Field studies yielded specific diagnoses in almost all deaths in the sample originally assigned an ill-defined cause of death at registration. Study findings suggest that the leading causes of death in Thailand among males are stroke (9.4%); transport accidents (8.1%); HIV/AIDS (7.9%); ischemic heart diseases (6.4%); and chronic obstructive lung diseases (5.7%). Among females, the leading causes are stroke (11.3%); diabetes (8%); ischemic heart disease (7.5%); HIV/AIDS (5.7%); and renal diseases (4%). Conclusions Empirical investigation of registered causes of death in the study sample yielded adequate information to enable estimation of cause-specific mortality patterns in Thailand. These findings will inform burden of disease estimation and economic evaluation of health policy choices in the country. The development and implementation of research methods in this study will contribute to improvements in the quality of annual mortality statistics in Thailand. Similar research is recommended for other countries where the quality of mortality statistics is poor.

Abstract Background Ascertainment of cause for deaths that occur in the absence of medical attention is a significant problem in many countries, including Thailand, where more than 50% of such deaths are registered with ill-defined causes. Routine implementation of standardized, rigorous verbal autopsy methods is a potential solution. This paper reports findings from field research conducted to develop, test, and validate the use of verbal autopsy (VA) methods in Thailand. Methods International verbal autopsy methods were first adapted to the Thai context and then implemented to ascertain causes of death for a nationally representative sample of 11,984 deaths that occurred in Thailand in 2005. Causes of death were derived from completed VA questionnaires by physicians trained in ICD-based cause-of-death certification. VA diagnoses were validated in the sample of hospital deaths for which reference diagnoses were available from medical record review. Validated study findings were used to adjust VA-based causes of death derived for deaths in the study sample that had occurred outside hospitals. Results were used to estimate cause-specific mortality patterns for deaths outside hospitals in Thailand in 2005. Results VA-based causes of death were derived for 6,328 out of 7,340 deaths in the study sample that had occurred outside hospitals, constituting the verification arm of the study. The use of VA resulted in large-scale reassignment of deaths from ill-defined categories to specific causes of death. The validation study identified that VA tends to overdiagnose important causes such as diabetes, liver cancer, and tuberculosis, while undercounting deaths from HIV/AIDS, liver diseases, genitourinary (essential renal), and digestive system disorders. Conclusions The use of standard VA methods adapted to Thailand enabled a plausible assessment of cause-specific mortality patterns and a substantial reduction of ill-defined diagnoses. Validation studies enhance the utility of findings from the application of verbal autopsy. Regular implementation of VA in Thailand could accelerate development of the quality and utility of vital registration data for deaths outside hospitals.

Abstract Background Almost 400,000 deaths are registered each year in Thailand. Their value for public health policy and planning is greatly diminished by incomplete registration of deaths and by concerns about the quality of cause-of-death information. This arises from misclassification of specified causes of death, particularly in hospitals, as well as from extensive use of ill-defined and vague codes to attribute the underlying cause of death. Detailed investigations of a sample of deaths in and out of hospital were carried out to identify misclassification of causes and thus derive a best estimate of national mortality patterns by age, sex, and cause of death. Methods A nationally representative sample of 11,984 deaths in 2005 was selected, and verbal autopsy interviews were conducted for almost 10,000 deaths. Verbal autopsy procedures were validated against 2,558 cases for which medical record review was possible. Misclassification matrices for leading causes of death, including ill-defined causes, were developed separately for deaths inside and outside of hospitals and proportionate mortality distributions constructed. Estimates of mortality undercount were derived from "capture-recapture" methods applied to the 2005-06 Survey of Population Change. Proportionate mortality distributions were applied to this mortality "envelope" and ill-defined causes redistributed according to Global Burden of Disease methods to yield final estimates of mortality levels and patterns in 2005. Results Estimated life expectancy in Thailand in 2005 was 68.5 years for males and 75.6 years for females, two years lower than vital registration data suggest. Upon correction, stroke is the leading cause of death in Thailand (10.7%), followed by ischemic heart disease (7.8%) and HIV/AIDS (7.4%). Other leading causes are road traffic accidents (males) and diabetes mellitus (females). In many cases, estimated mortality is at least twice what is estimated in vital registration. Leading causes of death have remained stable since 1999, with the exception of a large decline in HIV/AIDS mortality. Conclusions Field research into the accuracy of cause-of-death data can result in substantially different patterns of mortality than suggested by routine death registration. Misclassification errors are likely to have very significant implications for health policy debates. Routine incorporation of validated verbal autopsy methods could significantly improve cause-of-death data quality in Thailand.

Abstract Background In Thailand, 35% of all deaths occur in hospitals, and the cause of death is medically certified by attending physicians. About 15% of hospital deaths are registered with nonspecific diagnoses, despite the potential for greater accuracy using information available from medical records. Further, issues arising from transcription of diagnoses from Thai to English at registration create uncertainty about the accuracy of registration data even for specified causes of death. This paper reports findings from a study to measure validity of registered diagnoses in a sample of deaths that occurred in hospitals in Thailand during 2005. Methods A sample of 4,644 hospital deaths was selected, and for each case, medical records were reviewed. A process of medical record abstraction, expert physician review, and independent adjudication for the selection and coding of underlying causes of death was used to derive reference diagnoses. Validation characteristics were computed for leading causes of hospital deaths from registration data, and misclassification patterns were identified for registration diagnoses. Study findings were used to estimate cause-specific mortality patterns for hospital deaths in Thailand. Results Adequate medical records were available for 3,316 deaths in the study sample. Losses to follow up were nondifferential by age, sex, and cause. Medical records review identified specific underlying causes for the majority of deaths that were originally assigned ill-defined causes as well as for those originally assigned to residual categories for specific cause groups. In comparison with registration data for the sample, we found an increase in the relative proportion of deaths in hospitals due to stroke, ischemic heart disease, transport accidents, HIV/AIDS, diabetes, liver diseases, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Conclusions Registration data on causes for deaths occurring in hospitals require periodic validation prior to their use for epidemiological research or public health policy. Procedures for death certification and coding of underlying causes of death need to be streamlined to improve reliability of registration data. Estimates of cause-specific mortality from this research will inform burden of disease estimation and guide interventions to reduce avoidable mortality in hospitals in Thailand.

This study aimed to identify the recent risk factors for Opisthorchis viverrini infection and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) to improve disease prevention. The participants were divided into the following 3 groups based on their health status: healthy control (nonOV and nonCCA), those with O. viverrini infection (OV), and those with CCA. A questionnaire was used to explore their lifestyle and behaviors. Multivariate logistic regression and backward elimination were used to identify the significant risk factors. The results showed that the significant risk factors for both O. viverrini infection and CCA were age>50 years (odd ratio (OR)=8.44, P<0.001, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 2.98-23.90 and OR=43.47, P=0.001, 95% CI 14.71-128.45, respectively) and raw fish consumption (OR=8.48, P< 0.001, 95% CI 3.18-22.63 and OR=3.15, P=0.048, 95% CI 1.01-9.86, respectively). A history of O. viverrini infection was identified as an additional risk factor for CCA (OR=20.93, P=0.011, 95% CI 2.04-215.10). This study provided an update on the risk factors for O. viverrini infection and CCA. Asymptomatic patients with O. viverrini infection, particularly those>50 years old, should be carefully monitored to prevent CCA.

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness and safety of oral etoricoxib administration before colposcopic procedure for pain relief during and after colposcopy., Methods: A prospective double-blind, randomized controlled trial was conducted at the colposcopy unit of Thammasat University Hospital, Thailand from August 2022 to January 2023. The participants were women undergoing colposcopy. They were allocated into two groups: etoricoxib group and control group. Thirty minutes prior to colposcopy, the participants received etoricoxib or placebo tablet. A numerical rating scale was used to evaluate pain upon speculum insertion, 3% acetic acid application, directed cervical biopsy (CDB), endocervical curettage (ECC), and 10 minutes and 24 hours after colposcopy., Result: One hundred and ten women were recruited and were divided equally into study and control groups. The mean age of participants was 42.6 years old. One-fourth of cases (29/110) had cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or more histology. Subjects in etoricoxib group had less median pain scores during CDB, ECC, and 10-minute and 24-hour post procedure than the control group with statistical significance. Both groups had comparable side effects., Conclusion: Administration of oral etoricoxib 30 minutes before colposcopy could reduce pain during and up to 24-hour post colposcopy with minimal side effects.

Objective: To evaluate predictive factors between serum inflammatory markers and malignancy potential of endometrium., Methods: This retrospective study was conducted at the gynecological oncology unit, department of obstetrics and gynecology, at the faculty of medicine of Thammasat University. The study period was from 2017 to 2020. Endometrial cancer and benign gynecologic disease cases who underwent hysterectomy (with or without adnexectomy) during the study period were recruited. Demographic characteristics, histopathology reports and serum markers were also collected., Results: The study included a study group of 49 participants with endometrial cancer and a control group consisting of 119 cases of benign uterine disease. The study group had statistically significantly higher mean ages, proportional menopausal status and instances of underlying diseases when compared with the control group. Neutrophil/Lymphocyte ratios (NLR) and Platelet/Lymphocyte ratios (PLR) could not meaningfully predict the malignant potential of endometrium in hysterectomy specimens. NLR and PLR were statistically associated with depth of myometrial invasion (MI) in endometrial cancer cases. NLR equal to or greater than 1.93 predicted MI more than half thickness with sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) at a percentage of 83.3, 52.8, 37.0, 90.5 and 60.4, respectively. PLR equal to or greater than 134.95 predicted MI of greater than fifty percent thickness with sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, PPV and NPV at 75.0, 55.6, 36.0, 87.0 and 60.4 percent, respectively., Conclusion: NLR and PLR have positive associations with myometrial invasion of endometrial cancer.

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of auricular acupressure with or without magnetic plates to routine post cesarean pain management., Methods: This randomized controlled trial was conducted at Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Thammasat University Hospital, between January and June 2020. All participants were term primigravida pregnant women who underwent cesarean delivery during the study period. Participants were divided into three groups, namely control, placebo and study groups. Study (magnetic application) and placebo (non-magnetic application) groups received magnetic and non-magnetic auricular patches at both pinnas, respectively. Randomized assignments for each group were computer-generated, printed and kept in opaque sealed envelopes. The points in this study were Shenmen (TF4), Erzhong (HX1) and Penqiang (TF5). Visual analog scale (VAS) was immediately recorded up to 72 h after the operation., Results: A total of 195 cases were enrolled during the period of study. Each group had 65 participants. The mean participant's age was 31 years old. Demographic and clinical characters among the three groups were comparable. Pain scores within 12 h postoperative period of all three groups were comparable. Between 36 and 72 h post-operation, study groups had significantly lower VAS than the control group. One-quarter of participants had comparable nausea and vomiting side effects., Conclusions: Auricular acupressure at Shenmen (TF4), Penqiang (TF5) and Erzhong (HX1) with magnetic plate attachment could significantly relieve post cesarean pain between 18 and 72 h.

Objectives: Aims were to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in gynecologic malignancy cases. Value of screening tool (Caprini) for prediction of VTE was also assessed., Study Design: A retrospective study of gynecologic malignancy subjects who underwent major gynecological operation via exploratory laparotomy at Thammasat University Hospital, Pathum Thani, Thailand from January 2015 to December 2020. Participants were categorized into VTE and non-VTE groups. Caprini score, associated laboratory and clinical factors of both groups were evaluated., Results: A total of 392 subjects were recruited into the study. Prevalence of VTE was 7.4 (29/392) percent. VTE was diagnosed in subjects with endometrial, ovarian and cervical cancer at percentage of 7.8 (15/192), 7.9 (11/138) and 5.7 (3/53), respectively. Demographic characters of both groups were comparable. VTE group had significant more Caprini score, platelets count and platelet lymphocyte ratio (PLR) than non-VTE group. Modified Caprini score (2 multiply Caprini score plus 1 multiply PLR) was generated for better VTE prediction. Sensitivity and specificity of Caprini (≥5.5) and modified Caprini scores (≥22.8) were 72.4 vs 39.4, and 79.3 vs 52.1 percent, respectively., Conclusion: Prevalence of VTE among gynecologic malignancy cases was 7.4 percent. The modified Caprini score was an alternative VTE predictive tool. Cut-off point of modified Caprini score at equal or more than 22.8 was proposed.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess knowledge, attitude, and practices towards cervical cancer screening among postpartum subjects., Study Design: This cross-sectional study was conducted at inpatient obstetrics ward at Thammasat University Hospital (TUH), Thailand. The period of study was between July 2020 and July 2021. Subjects were term Thai pregnant women who had age between 20 and 45 years old and delivered at TUH. Demographic characters, knowledge, attitude and practices regarding cervical cancer screening were collected., Results: A total of 388 parturient was recruited into the study. Average age was 31 years old. Around 90 percent of subjects knew that every woman age between 21and 65 years old with or without children should be screened for cervical cancer despite having only 46.6 percent (181/388) of subjects that underwent postpartum cervical cancer screening. Almost half of the participant agreed that risky sexual behavior of both genders was not the cause of cervical cancer. Despite the availability of the HPV vaccine throughout the country, only 74.2 percent acknowledged that HPV was the cause and only 70.4% heard about the HPV vaccine. The mean attitude about the cervical cancer was relatively high with the mean of 3.19±0.46. Although the higher the score the better the attitude toward the statement, there were several correlations of having such attitude., Conclusion: Attention to postpartum cervical cancer screening was quite low even though high knowledge of cervical cancer and screening. Scant knowledge was not all of the troubles that we believed long time ago.

Aim: To compare effects of cold therapy on patient pain score during and after amniocentesis procedure., Methods: We performed a prospective randomized-controlled study comparing the anticipated pain, perceived pain during the procedure, and pain after 15 and 30 min of amniocentesis between pregnant women receiving cold therapy before (group 1), after (group 2), and both before and after amniocentesis (group 3) with a control group (group 4). Pain was measured using a visual analog scale (VAS) score., Results: A total of 480 participants were recruited and randomly assigned into four groups of 120 each. Anticipated pain scores in all groups were not statistically different. When compared with group 4, groups 1 and 3 experienced significant pain reduction during amniocentesis, while VAS scores at 15 and 30 min after amniocentesis in groups 1-3 were significantly lower as compared to group 4., Conclusion: Cold therapy both before and after amniocentesis procedure is most effective in pain reduction. It encourages the pregnant woman's cooperation during the procedure and provides a good amniocentesis experience. Application of cold compression is also beneficial in other aspects as it is simple, safe, convenient, and yet reusable and economically efficient for routine use in all pregnant women undergoing amniocentesis., (© 2021 Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology.)

Image 1., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2020 Center for Food and Biomolecules, National Taiwan University. Production and hosting by Elsevier Taiwan LLC.)

Background: This study aimed to survey quality of life (QoL) in endometrial cancer survivors between surgery with adjuvant therapy (radiation with or without chemotherapy) and surgery alone in Thammasat University Hospital, Thailand., Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Gynecologic Oncology clinic, Thammasat University hospital, Thailand between March 2011 and May 2019. Participants were endometrial cancer cases who underwent surgical staging with or without adjuvant treatment (study) and healthy women who came to gynecologic department for annual cervical screening (control). Assessment of QoL was investigated via the structural questionnaire designed by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-C30 (Thai version)., Results: During the period of the study, 94 participants who were diagnosed with endometrial cancer and underwent surgical staging were enrolled. There were 51, 43 and 51 cases in group A (surgery with adjuvant therapy), group B (surgery only) and group C (control), respectively. Control cases were participants who had comparable demographic characteristics and underwent gynecological checkup during the period of study. In part of physical functioning, group B had statistically better scores than group A. Participant in group B and C reported significantly better QoL in part of social functioning than group A. Symptom severity; appetite loss and constipation in group B was statistically less than in group A. Constipation problems in group A and C were comparable. Participants in group C had worse global health status than group A/B., Conclusion: Adjuvant treatment with either radiation or chemotherapy had negative impacts on QoL in endometrial cancer survivors. It impacted physical health, social function, appetite loss, and constipation. All endometrial cancer survivors had global health scores better than healthy peers. Thoroughly counseling to endometrial cancer survivors remains an important tool for increasing awareness of treatment complications and lowering psychological emotional stress., .

Objective: To examine the effectiveness of cryotherapy for reducing postoperative pain in patients who underwent exploratory laparotomy for gynecologic surgery., Materials and Methods: Patients who had indication for an exploratory laparotomy gynecologic procedure were selected by attending physicians to undergo abdominal surgery via low transverse skin incision. The participants were randomized into study and control groups with simple random sampling methods. Cold packs were applied at two hours after operation for 6 hours. The visual analog scale (VAS) score was recorded at two, 6, and 12 hours after operation., Result: One hundred cases were recruited and then divided into study and control groups equally. The mean age of both groups was 43 years. There was no difference in demographics data of both groups. Half of the participants in both groups underwent hysterectomies. At two hours after surgery, both groups had similar VAS scores. The study group had a lower VAS score at 6 and 12 hours after surgery than the control group with statistical difference. Morphine consumption within 24 hours after surgery in both the study and control groups was 2.8±3.4 and 3.0±4.4 mg, respectively, with no statistical difference. However the registration time of the first morphine requirement in the study group was statistically more prolonged than that of the control group. The lengths of hospital stay in both groups were similar. There was no complication reported in this study., Conclusion: Cryotherapy can reduce postoperative pain. In this presented study the patients who underwent gynecologic surgery had improved pain relief and prolonged time for the first dose of the analgesic drug.

Background: Dementia is a common medical disorder in the elderly. Oxidative stress plays a major role in the process of cognitive decline in dementia. Perilla seed oil demonstrates its neuroprotective effects via anti-oxidative mechanisms against dementia. We investigate neuroprotective effects of perilla seed oil as an additional treatment in patients with mild to moderate dementia., Method: A double-blind, randomized-control trial (perilla seed oil versus placebo) in patients with mild to moderate dementia was conducted. Perilla seed oil or placebo was added on with standard treatment for six months. Cognitive function was compared at nine months after enrollment., Result: 182 patients, with 94 in the experimental group and 88 in the placebo group, were able to complete the study. Cognitive function is not significantly different compared between groups. However, the total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol were significantly lower in the experimental group. Perilla seed oil had no adverse effect to kidney, liver, blood components or glucose metabolism., Conclusion: Perilla seed oil as additional neuroprotective therapy in patients with mild to moderate dementia does not improve cognitive function. Perilla seed oil significantly reduced total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol. A clinical trial is needed to prove the benefit of cholesterol-lowering effects with perilla seed oil in human., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Abnormal uterine bleeding in women aged 35 years or over is an important clinical sign of many gynecological conditions. The diagnoses of these conditions require the pathological report of the endometrial tissue. Outpatient-based endometrial biopsy is an excellent option compared to standard fractional uterine curettage or hysteroscopy with endometrial biopsy in providing a definite diagnosis for abnormal uterine bleeding as it is less painful and does not require high potency anesthesia. This study evaluates the effect of intrauterine lidocaine on the patient's pain score during endometrial biopsy by the Novak curette. We included patients aged 35 years or more who had abnormal uterine bleeding between December 2016 and March 2018. The study was conducted at Thammasat University Hospital, Pathum Thani, Thailand. 250 patients were randomly allocated to either receive intrauterine lidocaine (study group) or normal saline (control group). Assessment of pain severity was evaluated using a visual analogue scale (VAS) score at 6 time-points, namely, before performing the procedure, when grasping the cervix by the tenaculum, during the intrauterine instillation of lidocaine or normal saline, during the uterine curettage, and then 15 minutes and 2 hours after the procedure. This study showed that there was significant pain reduction in patients who received intrauterine instillation of lidocaine compared to placebo, during uterine curettage, as well as 15 minutes and 2 hours after procedure ( p <0.0001). Patient satisfaction was not significantly different between the two groups, while physician satisfaction significantly improved in the lidocaine group. Serious complications were not found during this study. (This research project had been approved for registration at Thai Clinical Trials Registry. TCTR identification number is TCTR20161031003.).

Background: Colposcopy is the standard investigation for women with abnormal cervical cytology. Waiting time to colposcopy could impact to psychological distress. Data about anxiety and depression in eastern countries patients were limited. Aim of this investigation was to evaluate anxiety and depression status in Thai women who were waiting for colposcopy compared to women who attended gynecology clinic for cervical cancer screening. Materials and methods: This study was conducted at the outpatient gynecology clinic of Thammasat University Hospital between January 2017 to March 2018. A Total of 200 women were recruited into the study. The cases were divided into the study and control group. Study group consisted of one hundred women with abnormal cervical cytology referred to colposcopy. One hundred of women who attended gynecology clinic for cervical cancer screening was classified as control group. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was used to determine anxiety in the participants. Results: Total of 200 women who met criteria of the study were recruited. The mean ages of both groups were 40 years old. Both groups were significantly different when it came to their education, 30 and 59 percent of study and control group had education level more than bachelor (p=0.003). The prevalence of anxiety was statistically significantly higher in study group than the control group (15% and 6%, respectively). There was only one case of depression in study. Waiting time and abnormal cervical cytology severity did not affected to anxiety level. Conclusions: Colposcopy and appointment caused anxiety. However anxiety was not associated with waiting time to colposcopy or Pap result’s severity., (Creative Commons Attribution License)

Abnormal vaginal bleeding is one of the most frequent problems found in gynecology. Endometrial histopathology is needed for definite diagnosis. It was obtained either from endometrial tissue sampling or from standard uterine curettage. Office endometrial tissue sampling is an easy and low morbid procedure. It is usually associated with pain and discomfort. Topical anesthetic agent is needed for pain relieving. This study was conducted in outpatient gynecology clinic, Thammasat University Hospital, Thailand. It was a double blind randomized controlled trial. A total of 140 participants were enrolled in study and control group. Each group consisted of 70 cases. Study group received topical spray of 10% lidocaine (40 mg) before endometrial aspiration. Topical spray of 0.9% normal saline was performed in control group. Novak curettage was an application for endometrial tissue obtaining in this study. Visual analog scale (10cm-VAS) was used for pain evaluation. Demographic character of both groups showed no statistical difference. The percentage of participants who had severe pain (VAS≥7) during tenaculum application and Novak curettage insertion and during procedure were 28.5% (20/70) versus 12.9% (9/70), 55.7% (39/70) versus 38.5% (27/70), and 78.5% (55/70) versus 60% (42/70) in control and study group, respectively. Both groups had no significant differences of postoperative pain at 15 minutes and 2 hours. This study indicates that topical lidocaine spray can relieve pain during endometrial tissue sampling.

Dementia is a broad-spectrum terminology for a degenerate in cognitive function severe enough to intervene in activities of daily living. Oxidative stress plays a major role in the neurodegenerative cascade, leading to the irreversible mechanism in dementia. Perilla seed oil is extracted from its seeds and contains a high source of antioxidative substances such as omega-3 fatty acid. With its prominent antioxidative property, perilla seed oil demonstrates neuroprotective effects against dementia in preclinical studies. We aim to prove the feasibility and safety of perilla seed oil as an additional antioxidative therapy in patients with dementia. This single-centered, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial randomized 239 patients with clinical diagnosis of mild to moderate dementia according to the Thai Mini-Mental State Examination (TMSE) score of 10 to 23 or the Thai Montreal Cognitive Assessment score of 12 to 25. Either two capsules containing 500 milligrams of perilla seed oil or similarly appearing two capsules containing 500 milligrams of olive oil (placebo) four times daily was added to conventional standard treatment of dementia for six months. Clinical side effects and routine laboratory results at baseline and after treatment were compared between both groups. Nausea and vomiting were the most common clinical side effects (3%) found equally in both groups. Three patients in the placebo group prematurely discontinued the medication, while only one patient in the treatment group quit the medication early. However, about 5% of patients in both groups could not comply with the regimen of the treatment. The routine laboratory results, including complete blood counts, kidney function tests, and liver function panels, at baseline and after treatment, were not significantly different in both groups. In conclusion, perilla seed oil was feasible and safe to add on with standard treatment in patients with mild to moderate dementia. Further study is needed to confirm its benefit to use as additional antioxidative therapy in patients with dementia.

Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is a chronic pain disorder which causes musculoskeletal pain and inflammation in the body's soft tissues. Thai Traditional Medicine uses hot herbal compresses as analgesic and anti-inflammatory treatment. There are no scientifically validated follow-up studies after treatment using hot herbal compresses. Effects of hot herbal compresses as an alternative treatment for MPS in the upper trapezius muscle compared with the standard treatment (diclofenac) were examined. Sixty patients with myofascial pain syndrome in the upper trapezius muscle were randomly divided into two groups and assigned to receive either hot herbal compress or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (diclofenac) treatment for 2 weeks. Clinical assessments included visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain score, cervical range of motion (CROM) for the neck and pressure pain threshold (PPT) tolerability before and after treatment. Within the groups, all treatments caused significant improvement in VAS and marginally increased effectiveness in PPT; however, only hot herbal compress treatment improved CROM. Hot herbal compress was more effective than diclofenac in all tests. Results provided comparable clinical efficacy between hot herbal compress and diclofenac after 2 weeks of treatment. Hot herbal compress proved to be an effective complementary or alternative treatment for MPS in the upper trapezius muscle.

Background: Recanalization therapies have been increasingly applied in clinical practice, which might change the outcomes of patients with large middle cerebral artery (MCA) infarction. The purpose of this study was to study the clinical course, prognostic factors, and long-term outcomes of patients with an acute large MCA infarction., Methods: Patients with an acute large MCA infarction who were treated between January, 2011 - March, 2014 were studied. The demographics and vascular risk factors were compared between patients with and without clinical outcomes of interest, favorable outcome and death., Results: From a total of 1538 patients, 200 patients with large MCA infarction were included. The mean age was 67 years. The mean National Institute of Health Stroke Scale score was 20. The mean time from onset to the hospital was 289 min. Intravenous recombinant-tissue-plasminogen activator (rtPA) was given in 50 patients (25%). The mean follow-up time was 13 months. 51 patients (51/191, 27%) had a favorable outcome (modified Rankin Scale 0-2) at the final follow-up. 81 patients (81/191, 42%) died. A younger age, less severe stroke, rtPA treatment, and large-artery atherosclerosis stroke subtype were related to a favorable outcome. Older age and presence of coronary artery disease were associated with death and rtPA treatment was inversely related to death., Conclusions: Prognosis of patients with a large MCA infarction is still poor. Favorable outcomes were found in only a fourth of the total patients, and a high mortality rate was still present. Intravenous rtPA treatment seemed to be related to a favorable outcome.

Background: Fasting in Ramadan has adverse effects on health of Muslims with diabetes. Key strategies to prepare the patients are to provide appropriate health education to the patients prior to Ramadan and to adjust anti-diabetic medicines during Ramadan., Objective: To study outcomes of the specific health care services that providing health education in parallel with counseling by Islamic leader, Material and Method: The Thai Muslims with type 2 diabetes mellitus were divided into two groups. There were 62patients in experimental group that was provided with specific health care service for Thai Muslims with diabetes in which health education prior to Ramadan and adjustment ofanti-diabetic medicine applied. The other was control group with 28patients that was provided only with original health care service. The results were monitored after Ramadan by interviews, weight and waist measurements, blood pressure measurement and blood tests., Results: Both mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure were well controlled in both groups and slightly decreased after Ramnadan. The mean diastolic blood pressure of the experimental group decreased after Ramadan (p-value = 0.041). From behavior point of view, it was found that the patients in the experimental group had consumed less sweetenedfood (p-value = 0.002). There was no incidence ofsevere hypoglycemia in either experimental or control group. The number and portion of patients with hypoglycemic symptoms in experimental group were lower than those in controlled group (p-value = 0.013)., Conclusion: Specific health care service by providing health education prior to Ramadan and adjustment ofanti-diabetic medicine application resulted in a positive effect as the patients tended to consume less sweetenedfood to keep blood sugar level in control. Fasting could affect the patients 'health in apositive way as it helps to control blood pressure, while in parallel, adjustment of anti-diabetic medicine application helps to prevent hypoglycemia. This health care service, which can be achieved in collaboration with a health care team and Islamic leaders, is useful and suitable for Thai Muslims with diabetes mellitus type 2.

Background: To investigate abnormal cervical histopathology (ACH) from hysterectomy specimens with normal preoperative Papanicolaou (Pap) smears., Materials and Methods: Medical records from May 2009 to April 2012 were retrospectively reviewed of subjects from whom hysterectomy specimens were taken in Thammasat University Hospital. All had normal preoperative Pap smears. ACH was the primary outcome. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered significant. A total of 483 subjects with an average age of 50.5 years were recruited. Benign cases of enlarged uterus and pelvic mass were present in 94% (430/483). Endometrial and ovarian cancer were found at 6.2 and 4.7%, respectively. In hysterectomy specimens there were 19 (4%) cases of ACH. Silent ACH with benign disease, endometrial and ovarian cancers were 1.2% (5/430), 33.3% (10/30) and 17.4% (4/23), respectively. The negative predictive value (NPV) and false negative rate of Pap smears were 96 and 4%, respectively. ACH in malignant cases were 27.9% (12/43) and 20% (2/10) in adequate (APS) and inadequate (IPS) Pap collection groups, respectively. ACH in benign condition were 0.68% (2/292) and 2.2% (3/138) in APS and IPS, respectively. ACH was more often found in hysterectomy specimens with indication of malignancy than benign conditions with statistical significance. One third of preoperative stage I endometrial cancer cases had cervical involvement., Conclusions: Silent ACH in normal preoperative Pap smear was 4 %. Inadequate Pap smear collection is still the major problem in this study. Reducing inadequate Pap smear collection could reduce the false negative rate.

Background: Time to colposcopy (TC) after abnormal Pap smears was evaluated for influence on cytohistologic correlation (CHC)., Materials and Methods: This retrospective study assessed the correlation between TC and CHC of women who had abnormal Pap smears. Colposcopic chart review included participants from 2010- 2013 who attended a colposcopic clinic, Thammasat University Hospital, Thailand., Results: Four hundred and sixty cases who had abnormal Pap smears were recruited. Pap reports were atypical smears with low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL), high grade SIL and cancer at 339, 114 and 7 cases, respectively. One hundred and twenty four patients underwent loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP). A half of the cases were colposcopically examined within 1-2 months after abnormal Pap collection. CHC was 88 percent and not affected at all by TC. Subjects who attended cervical cancer screening from affiliated health providers had shorter TC than those screened in our tertiary hospital., Conclusions: Time to colposcopy with abnormal Pap smears conducted at Thammasat University Hospital had a highest frequency of 42 days, in line with the literature. Length of TC does not affect the correlation between Pap and histopathologic reports. A longer waiting period for colposcopy did not alter progression or regression of the disease.

Higher mortality was found in very old patients with acute ischemic stroke treated with intravenous recombinant tissue-plasminogen activator (rtPA) as compared to younger patients. The benefit of thrombolytic treatment in this particular subgroup is still a subject of debate. The purpose of this study was to compare stroke outcomes in Thai patients aged over 70 years treated with and without intravenous rtPA. This was a retrospective review of sequential cases and was not a randomized controlled study. One-hundred and five patients with acute ischemic stroke aged over 70 years who were treated with intravenous rtPA and 105 patients without rtPA treatment (control group) were included in the study. Patients' base-line characteristics and study outcomes of interest were compared. There were significant differences in the base-line characteristics of the two groups. However, for the subgroup of patients aged over 80 years, these characteristics were similar. Those who were treated with intravenous rtPA had a higher rate of favorable outcomes (40% vs 16%; P=0.137) and a lower rate of mortality (22% vs 44%; P=0.128) than patients who did not receive rtPA treatment. In well-matched subgroups of patients aged over 80 years, our retrospective review revealed there was a trend of a higher rate of favorable outcome and lower mortality in patients receiving rtPA treatment. More study is needed to further confirm the suggested benefit of thrombolysis in Asian octogenarian acute stroke patients.

Context: There are limited data on the prevalence of vitamin D inadequacy in pregnant women living in Southeast Asia and changes in their vitamin D status during pregnancy., Objectives: To determine the prevalence of vitamin D inadequacy, its predictive factors and the changes in vitamin D status during the course of pregnancy., Design and Patients: A prospective study of 120 pregnant Thai women with gestational age <14 weeks., Measurements: Serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) and clinical data were obtained at the first visit, in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Vitamin D inadequacy was defined as 25OHD <75 nm., Results: The prevalences of vitamin D inadequacy were 83.3%, 30.9% and 27.4% for the first, second and third trimesters. The independent predictors of vitamin D inadequacy in the third trimester were not drinking vitamin-fortified milk (OR 11.42; 95% CI: 3.12-41.86), not taking prenatal vitamins (OR 9.70; 95% CI: 2.28-41.19) and having vitamin D deficiency in the first trimester (OR 10.58; 95% CI: 2.89-38.80). Vitamin D deficiency was not found in women taking prenatal vitamins. However, 20 women who took at least 400 IU/day of vitamin D from prenatal vitamins still had vitamin D insufficiency in the third trimester., Conclusions: Vitamin D inadequacy is common in pregnant Thai women, especially in the first trimester. Vitamin D supplementation may be needed prior to conception and during pregnancy. For areas with abundant sun exposure like Thailand, vitamin D supplementation at 400 IU/day is likely to prevent vitamin D deficiency, but is inadequate to prevent vitamin D insufficiency even at 800 IU/day., (© 2012 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.)

Objective: To analyze the relationships between the situational leadership styles, staff nurse job characteristic with job satisfaction and organizational commitment of head nurses working in hospitals under the jurisdiction of the Royal Thai Army, Material and Method: The cross-sectional analytical study was conducted in 128 head nurses working in hospitals under the jurisdiction of the Royal Thai Army. Data were collected by mailed questionnaires. A total of 117 completed questionnaires (91.4%) were received for analysis. Statistical analysis was done using Pearson's Product Moment Correlation Coefficient., Results: It was found that situational leadership styles were not correlated with job satisfaction and organizational commitment of head nurses. Staff nurse job characteristics had a low level of positive correlation with job satisfaction and organizational commitment of head nurses at 0.05 level of significance (r = 0.202 and 0.189 respectively)., Conclusion: The hospital administrators should formulate policy to improve working system, human resource management and formulate policies and strategies based on situational leadership. In addition, they should improve the characteristics of staff nurse job by using surveys to obtain job satisfaction and organizational commitment.

In Asia, there is limited information regarding symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in patients treated with intravenous (iv) recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA). The aim of this study was to identify independent factors associated with symptomatic ICH following iv rtPA. The study included 192 patients with acute ischemic stroke who were treated with iv rtPA. Baseline characteristics were compared between patients with or without ICH. Symptomatic ICH occurred in 5.7% of patients and asymptomatic ICH in 13.0% of patients. An international normalized ratio (INR) ≥1.0 (odds ratio [OR]=4.89, p=0.036), atrial fibrillation (OR=7.21, p=0.009) and blood glucose concentration >8.325 mmol/L (OR=9.00, p=0.004), were independent risk factors for symptomatic ICH. Atrial fibrillation (OR=3.56, p=0.012) and severe stroke (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale ≥15; OR=8.94, p<0.001) were independent risk factors for asymptomatic ICH. The prevalence of symptomatic ICH following iv rtPA in Thai patients was comparable to previous studies., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of diabetes care and the factors associated with the effectiveness at primary care settings., Material and Method: Data were obtained from reviewing of 1,795 medical patient files of patients with type 2-DM treated at forty-eight primary care settings. Information recorded included characteristics, body mass index, co-morbidity, fasting blood glucose (FBG) and HbA1c levels and health personnel mix types (physicians, pharmacists, nurses, health technical officers and community health workers). HbA1c level of diabetes in 542 of 1,795 medical patient files were analyzed. Glycemic controllability of diabetes patients was defined using FBG and HbA1c levels as the effectiveness indicators of diabetes care., Results: Of 1,795 patients, 40.8% were able to control their FBG levels and 22.7% of the 542 patients who have HbA1c data could control their HbA1c levels. Multivariate analysis confirmed that age and health personnel mix types are significant factors for glycemic controllability as measured by FBG level (p < 0.01). By measuring HbA1c level, age was also significant factor in diabetes care effectiveness (p = 0.012)., Conclusion: Age was a significant factor in controlling both FBG and HbA1c levels in type 2 diabetes whereas health personnel, physicians and pharmacists, are significant factors in increasing effectiveness of diabetes care. The policy makers should consider distributing these health personnel to primary care settings and this would be a challenge for the policy makers to develop such a strategy and to implement this policy.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of abnormal Pap smears as detected by liquid-based (LBP) and conventional (CPP) techniques in women who were patients in the gynecologic clinic, Thammasat University Hospital., Material and Method: Retrospective analysis of cervical cancer screening, histopathological findings and operative procedures was done between January 2009 and December 2009. Of the 6,332 participants who underwent gynecological examination and cervical screening and had a Pap smear result as atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance or worse would be performed a further colposcopic examination., Results: A total of 6,332 women were screened for cervical cancer in the one year period. A total of 169 abnormal Pap smears were found. Of 497 (8%) and 5,835 (92%) women were screened by LBP and CPP, respectively. The mean age of patients was 39.45 years old (14-90) and 1,550 (24.5%) women were post menopausal. The Prevalence of abnormal Pap smears was 4.0 and 2.6% in the LBP and CPP groups, respectively. Among LBP group, patients with atypical smear and LSIL (low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion) were 11 (2.29%) and 9 (1.8%), respectively. While CPP group, patient with atypical smear, LSIL, HSIL (high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion) and cancer were 73 (1.25%), 49 (0.84%), 25 (0.43%) and 2 (0.03%), respectively., Conclusion: The prevalence of abnormal Pap smear in women who attended gynecologic clinic of Thammasat University Hospital was 4.0% and 2.6 % per LBP and CPP group, respectively. There was no significant difference in the incidence of atypical smear and false positive result between LBP and CPP.

There is scarce information about ischemic stroke in young adults in Thailand. The purpose of this study was to explore the causes of ischemic stroke in Thai adults age 16-50 years. All ischemic strokes treated in persons in this age range between August 2006 and December 2008 were prospectively included. Stroke subtypes were classified according to Trial of ORG 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment criteria as large-artery atherosclerosis (LAA), cardioembolism (CE), small-artery occlusion (SAO), stroke of other determined cause (OC), or stroke of undetermined cause (UND). The study group comprised 99 patients, with a mean age of 40 years and a mean National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score of 8. In patients age <41 years, UND (32%; P = .0652) and OC (30%; P = .0167) were the most common stroke subtypes. In patients age 41-50 years, SAO (29%; P = .0947) and UND (21%) were the most common subtypes. Antiphospholipid syndrome (6%) and neurosyphilis (4%) were the leading causes of the OC subtype. Hyperlipidemia, smoking, and hypertension were common risk factors. Although the distribution of stroke subtypes was comparable with that found in previous studies from other countries, the identified causes were different., (Copyright © 2011 National Stroke Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) has been approved to treat eligible patients with acute ischemic stroke within 4.5 hours of onset. The rationale for using a lower dose in Asian patients came from concerns about intracerebral hemorrhage because of the racial differences in blood coagulation-fibrinolysis factors., Aim: The aim of this systemic review was to compare the data from previous studies to address the efficacy and safety of using low-dose vs standard-dose rtPA in treating patients with acute ischemic stroke., Material and Methods: Previous studies were searched and analyzed. The confidence interval was calculated at 95%. Baseline characteristics and outcomes of the patients were compared between two doses of rtPA (0.6 vs 0.9 mg/kg), using Z test for two independent proportions., Results: Patients who received standard-dose rtPA had significantly higher favorable outcome at 3 months (33.1 vs 47.2%, P<0.0001), without significant difference in the rates of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (3.5 vs 4.3%, P = 0.42) and mortality (13.1 vs 11.7%, P = 0.56). However, patients in the low-dose group were older and had more severe stroke., Conclusions: Patients receiving standard-dose rtPA seem to have higher rates of favorable outcome. However, there were significant differences in baseline characteristics between the two groups. A further, well-designed, randomized study in the same population is still needed to clarify the suspected benefit of the standard dose for East Asian patients.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2-3 (high-grade CIN) among women with Atypical Squamous Cells of Undetermined Significance (ASC-US) Pap smear., Material and Method: A retrospective medical record review of220 women with ASC-US cervical Pap smear, including age, menstruation status, parity, placed of residence, occupation, main complaint, and definite histopathological result between July 2007 and January 2010 was done., Results: The prevalence of high-grade CIN2 and CIN 3 in Thammasat University Hospital were 8.6% and 3.2% respectively No cancer was found in the present study. There was no statistically significant difference in the prevalence of high-grade CIN between the patients who were 50 years old or more and those who were younger., Conclusion: Prevalence of high-grade CIN in women with ASC-US was 11.8%. Immediate colposcopy is recommended in women with ASC-US

Objective: To determine the prevalence of abnormal cervical cytology by liquid based cytology (LBC) in pregnant women who attended the antenatal care clinic at Thammasat University Hospital., Material and Method: LBC was performed on specimens from the collecting vial containing preserved cell solution (Cytyc, Boxborough, MA) in pregnant women who attended antenatal care at the antenatal care clinic, Thammasat University Hospital between March and July 2010. One hundred forty three pregnant women were recruited in the present study. All cytological reports were reviewed by senior cytopathologists for accurate diagnosis using the Bethesda System 2001 criteria. Patients with abnormal results as "abnormal squamous/glandular cells of undetermined significant" or more over were referred for colposcopic examination., Results: One hundred forty three pregnant women participated in the present study. The average age was 27.09 years. There were 10 abnormal Pap smear results with four, five, and one cases of ASC-US, LSIL and HSIL respectively The prevalence of abnormal cervical cytology in this investigation was 7% with 0.7% high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplacia. Only 6% of participants had the correct understanding of the necessity of Pap smear testing. Thirty-one percent of multiparous pregnant women in the present study had no previous Pap smear screening. The majority of participants had coitarche before the age of 20., Conclusion: The prevalence of abnormal cervical cytology in pregnant patients attending the antenatal care clinic at Thammasat University Hospital was 7%. The cervical cytology and related education were highly recommended in antenatal care clinic to increase cervical cancer screening coverage among reproductive age women.

Background: Most Thai people believe that health care providers have a lower risk of any disease than their patients. This belief may lull Thai health care providers into accepting the false belief that they are at a lower risk of having the precancerous conditions that lead to cervical cancer., Objective: This study compares the prevalence of abnormal Pap smears from health care providers (HC) and non health care providers (NHC) by using the standard liquid-based Pap smear processing at Thammasat University Hospital's pathology department, Thailand., Material and Method: Both health care providers (HC) and non health care providers (NHC) were patients at the outpatient clinic, Thammasat University Hospital. They were screened for cervical cancer by using liquid-based Pap smear (LBP). Cytological diagnoses and specimen adequacy were classified using the Bethesda system 2001. All subjects who had abnormal cytology more than atypical squamous cells or atypical glandular cells were counseled to have performed a colposcopic directed biopsy for confirmation of pathology., Study Design: A total of 250 liquid-base Pap smears were processed and evaluated at the Gynecology clinic, Thammasat University Hospital from April 2008 to May 2008., Results: The groups of HC and NHC consisted of 122 and 128 women, respectively. In general, both the HC and NHC groups were similar in their age, religion, income and education level distributions. The range of ages was between 16 and 75 years, with the mean age equal to 40.2 +/- 10.5 years. Prevalence of abnormal Pap smears was 9.8% in HC and 9.4% in NHC (p-value = 0.90). HC showed atypical change (ASC, AGC), low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL) and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) at 0.8%, 1.6% and 7.4%, respectively. NHC had an incidence of atypical change, LSIL and HSIL at 0.8%, 0.8% and 7.8%. HC had an equal incidence of abnormal Pap smears prevalence to NHC. Further, the percentage of HC and NHC groups with histological confirmed cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 1 were not significantly different (4.92% vs. 6.25%, p-value = 0.70), likewise CIN 2/3 (1.64% vs. 1.56%, p-value = 1.00). According to our study the rate of abnormal Pap smears observed in both health care providers and clients was essentially the same., Conclusions: The prevalence of abnormal Pap smears in health care providers was statistically equivalent to that in their clients.

Background: Almost 400,000 deaths are registered each year in Thailand. Their value for public health policy and planning is greatly diminished by incomplete registration of deaths and by concerns about the quality of cause-of-death information. This arises from misclassification of specified causes of death, particularly in hospitals, as well as from extensive use of ill-defined and vague codes to attribute the underlying cause of death. Detailed investigations of a sample of deaths in and out of hospital were carried out to identify misclassification of causes and thus derive a best estimate of national mortality patterns by age, sex, and cause of death., Methods: A nationally representative sample of 11,984 deaths in 2005 was selected, and verbal autopsy interviews were conducted for almost 10,000 deaths. Verbal autopsy procedures were validated against 2,558 cases for which medical record review was possible. Misclassification matrices for leading causes of death, including ill-defined causes, were developed separately for deaths inside and outside of hospitals and proportionate mortality distributions constructed. Estimates of mortality undercount were derived from "capture-recapture" methods applied to the 2005-06 Survey of Population Change. Proportionate mortality distributions were applied to this mortality "envelope" and ill-defined causes redistributed according to Global Burden of Disease methods to yield final estimates of mortality levels and patterns in 2005., Results: Estimated life expectancy in Thailand in 2005 was 68.5 years for males and 75.6 years for females, two years lower than vital registration data suggest. Upon correction, stroke is the leading cause of death in Thailand (10.7%), followed by ischemic heart disease (7.8%) and HIV/AIDS (7.4%). Other leading causes are road traffic accidents (males) and diabetes mellitus (females). In many cases, estimated mortality is at least twice what is estimated in vital registration. Leading causes of death have remained stable since 1999, with the exception of a large decline in HIV/AIDS mortality., Conclusions: Field research into the accuracy of cause-of-death data can result in substantially different patterns of mortality than suggested by routine death registration. Misclassification errors are likely to have very significant implications for health policy debates. Routine incorporation of validated verbal autopsy methods could significantly improve cause-of-death data quality in Thailand.

Background: Cause-specific mortality statistics by age and sex are primary evidence for epidemiological research and health policy. Annual mortality statistics from vital registration systems in Thailand are of limited utility because about 40% of deaths are registered with unknown or nonspecific causes. This paper reports the rationale, methods, and broad results from a comprehensive study to verify registered causes in Thailand., Methods: A nationally representative sample of 11,984 deaths was selected using a multistage stratified cluster sampling approach, distributed across 28 districts located in nine provinces of Thailand. Registered causes were verified through medical record review for deaths in hospitals and standard verbal autopsy procedures for deaths outside hospitals, the results of which were used to measure validity and reliability of registration data. Study findings were used to develop descriptive estimates of cause-specific mortality by age and sex in Thailand., Results: Causes of death were verified for a total of 9,644 deaths in the study sample, comprised of 3,316 deaths in hospitals and 6,328 deaths outside hospitals. Field studies yielded specific diagnoses in almost all deaths in the sample originally assigned an ill-defined cause of death at registration. Study findings suggest that the leading causes of death in Thailand among males are stroke (9.4%); transport accidents (8.1%); HIV/AIDS (7.9%); ischemic heart diseases (6.4%); and chronic obstructive lung diseases (5.7%). Among females, the leading causes are stroke (11.3%); diabetes (8%); ischemic heart disease (7.5%); HIV/AIDS (5.7%); and renal diseases (4%)., Conclusions: Empirical investigation of registered causes of death in the study sample yielded adequate information to enable estimation of cause-specific mortality patterns in Thailand. These findings will inform burden of disease estimation and economic evaluation of health policy choices in the country. The development and implementation of research methods in this study will contribute to improvements in the quality of annual mortality statistics in Thailand. Similar research is recommended for other countries where the quality of mortality statistics is poor.

Background: Ascertainment of cause for deaths that occur in the absence of medical attention is a significant problem in many countries, including Thailand, where more than 50% of such deaths are registered with ill-defined causes. Routine implementation of standardized, rigorous verbal autopsy methods is a potential solution. This paper reports findings from field research conducted to develop, test, and validate the use of verbal autopsy (VA) methods in Thailand., Methods: International verbal autopsy methods were first adapted to the Thai context and then implemented to ascertain causes of death for a nationally representative sample of 11,984 deaths that occurred in Thailand in 2005. Causes of death were derived from completed VA questionnaires by physicians trained in ICD-based cause-of-death certification. VA diagnoses were validated in the sample of hospital deaths for which reference diagnoses were available from medical record review. Validated study findings were used to adjust VA-based causes of death derived for deaths in the study sample that had occurred outside hospitals. Results were used to estimate cause-specific mortality patterns for deaths outside hospitals in Thailand in 2005., Results: VA-based causes of death were derived for 6,328 out of 7,340 deaths in the study sample that had occurred outside hospitals, constituting the verification arm of the study. The use of VA resulted in large-scale reassignment of deaths from ill-defined categories to specific causes of death. The validation study identified that VA tends to overdiagnose important causes such as diabetes, liver cancer, and tuberculosis, while undercounting deaths from HIV/AIDS, liver diseases, genitourinary (essential renal), and digestive system disorders., Conclusions: The use of standard VA methods adapted to Thailand enabled a plausible assessment of cause-specific mortality patterns and a substantial reduction of ill-defined diagnoses. Validation studies enhance the utility of findings from the application of verbal autopsy. Regular implementation of VA in Thailand could accelerate development of the quality and utility of vital registration data for deaths outside hospitals.