A case report of tumor-induced osteomalacia: eight year followed-up.

Tumor-induced osteomalacia (TIO) is a rare but potentially curable disease. It is caused by excessive renal clearance ofphosphate induced by a substance secreted from the tumor Here, the authors report a Thai patient who presented with multiple pathologic fractures, low serum phosphorus, and low tubular maximum reabsorption of phosphorus/glomerular filtration rate (TmPO4/GFR). The clinical, biochemical and bone abnormalities improved 6 months after the surgery. Two years follow-up showed no recurrence of the disease. Physicians should be aware of this condition when encountering with adult onset osteomalacia.

Health belief model about diabetes mellitus in Thailand: the culture consensus analysis.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes is a chronic disease, which requires patient participation. The outcome of treatment depends on the patient health belief model (HBM) and illness perception. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the HBM and illness perception in diabetic patients by culture consensus analysis model. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Fifty diabetic patients were randomly selected at the out patient diabetic clinic from 4 hospitals, Maharaj Lampang hospital, Maharaj Nakorn rachasrima hospital, Hadyai hospital, and Lerdsin hospital to represent 4 regions of Thailand. Data from each patient was collected by using questionnaire. Anthropac version 4.98 was used to do consensus analysis RESULTS: Two-hundred diabetic patients from four political regions were assessed Only Songkla culture showed a diabetes heath belief pattern at the eigenvalue ratio at 3.8 and competency score at 0.72 +/- 11 (mean +/- SD). This pattern was created because Sonkla had more diabetes knowledge sources compared to other regions (p = 0.01). The ability of Songkla member to fit in the group was not related to any medical and socioeconomic factor (p > 0.05). The authors postulated that past experience or culture might determine this. Songkla diabetes beliefs were described and compared to biomedically correct information. The treatment process based on HBM and illness perception concepts were also discussed. The result of the research led to a Lerdsin diabetes self help group in the hospital. CONCLUSION: From this study, Thailand does not have HBM about diabetes mellitus. Only the Songkla community does. Past experience and culture might determine the pattern of HBM in this community.

No effect of garlic extract supplement on serum lipid levels in hypercholesterolemic subjects.

OBJECTIVE: The authors assessed the effects of an enteric-coated Thai garlic extract tablet standardized for allicin-releasing potential on serum lipid levels in hypercholesterolemic subjects. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: The authors performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 136 hypercholesterolemic subjects (cholesterol concentrations > or = 5.2 mmol/L; mean age +/- SD: 47.0 +/- 6.6 yr). All subjects were given dietary advice to lower fat intake within 4 weeks and were advised to eat normally during the study period. The subjects were randomly assigned to receive an enteric-coated Thai garlic extract tablet once daily (standardized to 1.12% allicin or 5.6 mg/tablet), or placebo after the evening meal for 12 weeks. Seventy subjects (32.9% male; mean age +/- SD and BMI of 47.0 +/- 6.6 yr and 24.6 +/- 3.3 kg/m2) received the garlic extract treatment while 66 subjects (37.9% male, mean age +/- SD and BMI of 47.0 +/- 6.0 yr and 24.3 +/- 3.4 kg/m2) received placebo. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant changes in serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol after the 12-week treatment as analyzed on repeated measures by analysis of variance. In addition, no changes in plasma glucose, liver and renal functions were found. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with an enteric garlic-coated Thai garlic extract and dietary advice did not produce any significant changes in lipid levels in subjects with hypercholesterolemia.