Intracapsular hip fractures have poorer nutritional status and more complications than trochanteric fractures: A retrospective study of 255 Thai patients.

Poor nutritional status which is found in many hip fracture patients may be one explanation for their increased morbidity and mortality. A retrospective study was performed to study the nutritional profile in Thai patients with hip fracture who had been admitted to Siriraj Hospital from January 2005 to March 2006. The parameter that was used to determine the nutritional profile was the level of albumin. The nutritional differences in hip fractures were assessed. The incidence of protein depletion was significantly higher in patients with trochanteric hip fractures than patients with intracapsular hip fractures. However, the average serum albumin level was significantly lower in patients with the intracapsular fractures than patients with trochanteric fractures. In addition, we found that a moderate level of malnutrition was related to post-operative complications in patients with the intracapsular hip fractures. Therefore, the higher complication rates in patients with intracapsular fractures than in patients with trochanteric fractures may be caused by the poorer nutritional status.

Protein depletion in Thai patients with hip fractures.

OBJECTIVE: Study the prevalence of protein depletion and determine the effect of protein depletion on postoperative complications. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A retrospective study was performed in 255 Thai elderly patients who had been admitted to Siriraj Hospital because of a fracture of the hip. The level of albumin was the parameter used to determine the degree of protein depletion. The effects of protein depletion that were examined were the length of hospital stay and the development of complications. RESULTS: Ninety-seven patients (44.5%) in the study group were in a protein-depleted state during the period of hospitalization. The patients who were protein-depleted had a higher prevalence of complications and tended to stay in the hospital longer, compared with the nonprotein-depleted patients. CONCLUSION: Thai elderly patients who sustain the trauma of a fracture of the hip should be managed appropriately for the intake of nutrients during the hospitalized period to improve their health status.

Effects of tobacco smoking on alpha-2-macroglobulin and some biochemical parameters in Thai males.

This cross-sectional study was carried out among smokers and nonsmokers from suburban and urban residential areas in Bangkok, Thailand. One hundred eighty-six smokers and 102 nonsmokers, who voluntarily participated in the study, were investigated. The levels of alpha-2-macroglobulin (A2M), albumin, total protein, and other biochemical and hematological parameters as well as body mass index (BMI) measurements were taken. The levels of A2M, BUN and WBC counts were significantly higher in smokers than nonsmokers. Total protein and albumin concentrations were significantly lower in smokers than nonsmokers, but the levels of other biochemical parameters did not differ between the two groups. The relationship between BMI and median A2M levels in the smoker and nonsmoker groups showed the higher the BMI, the lower the serum A2M levels. Smokers had a higher percentage of hyperalpha-2-macroglobulinemia than nonsmokers. A2M concentrations correlated inversely with BMI, BUN, albumin, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and the quantity of cigarettes smoked for the total period of smoking (cigarette pack-years). Multiple regression analysis revealed that albumin and cigarette pack-years were the most closely related variables to A2M concentrations among smokers. These findings suggest cigarette smoking affects inflammation markers, increasing A2M and WBC and decreasing albumin. This effect may be the mechanism responsible for the development of chronic disease states associated with smoking since cigarette smoke contains many toxic compounds harmful to health.

Protozoal contamination of water used in Thai frozen food industry.

This study evaluated the prevalence of contamination of water that was used for food preparation. Since protozoal cysts can be found in small numbers in water, 1,000 liters of either untreated or treated water were filtered through activated carbon block filters (1 microm nominal porosity). Identification of protozoa was performed using specific monoclonal antibodies against Giardia and Cryptosporidium parasites followed by fluorescence microscopy. Twelve of 20 untreated water samples (60%) were found to be contaminated by Giardia cysts, with an average of 53.33 cysts/1,000 liters (geometric mean 39.43), whilst 7 samples (35%) were contaminated by Cryptosporidium oocysts, with an average of 28.57 oocysts/1,000 liters (geometric mean 26.92). Three samples of untreated water (15%) were positive for both organisms. In contrast, none of the treated water samples were contaminated.

Antimutagenic activity of Sesbania javanica Miq. flower DMSO extract and its major flavonoid glycoside.

The antimutagenic activity of Sesbania javanica Miq. or Sano, an edible vegetable flower DMSO extract against aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) benzo (a) pyrene [B(a)P], was evaluated by means of the Ames' test. The Sesbania javanica Miq. flower DMSO extract showed a strong inhibitory effect against AFB1 and B(a)P mutagens. A search to isolate the major flavonoid in Sesbania javanica Miq. flower extract found the flavonol glycoside, Quercetin 3-2(G)-rhamnosylrutinoside, which was confirmed by its physicochemical properties as a major constituent of the flower. Quercetin 3-2(G)-rhamnosylrutinoside (207 microg/plate) also showeda strong inhibitory effect against AFB1 and B(a)P with a more than 70% inhibition rate.

B vitamins, vitamin C and hematological measurements in overweight and obese Thais in Bangkok.

The dynamic changes of socio-economics leading to the industrialisation of countries are known to affect lifestyle and nutritional behaviours of the population. Review of the literature on the prevalence of obesity showed increasing numbers of the overweight and obese during the past decade. However, information on health and nutritional status of the obese in Thailand has not been widely publicized. This study reveals the vitamin status and hematological picture in 270 overweight and obese Thais in Bangkok, Thailand, compared with 175 normal subjects. No statistically significant differences in haemoglobin and hematocrit were observed in the overweight compared with the control subjects. The prevalence of anaemia was 9.8 per cent among male and 17.2 per cent among female overweight and obese subjects compared with 2.6 per cent and 21.2 per cent in male and female normal controls using the cut-off point of haemoglobin concentration as an indicator of anaemia. Prevalence of hypertension was exhibited in both male and female overweight and obese subjects. Even if there were no statistically significant differences in vitamin B1, B2 and B6 in overweight and obese subjects compared with the controls, high percentages of vitamin C and vitamin B2 deficiencies were observed. Vitamin B2 deficiency was detected in 19.7 per cent of overweight and obese males as well as in 28.7 per cent of overweight and obese females using glutathione reductase activity coefficient (alpha EGR) < 1.5 as the cut-off point. However, clinical signs of vitamin B2 deficiencies were rare. There was also a high percentage of vitamin C (antioxidant vitamin) deficiency in 51.5 per cent of the overweight and obese subjects and 41.7 per cent of the controls, respectively. The results suggest more attention should be paid to health study and nutritional problems for the overweight and obese population, especially concerning vitamins and oxidative stress. Further research is still needed in these aspects.