The Prevalence of Xerostomia in Older Thai Individuals with Type II Diabetes Mellitus and Its Association with Type of Toothpaste and Oral Functions: A Cross-Sectional Study Using Questionnaires.

AIM: To investigate the prevalence of xerostomia in older people with diabetes mellitus and its impacts on oral functions, as well as to determine potential risk factors for xerostomia. METHODS: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted on 623 older type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) Thai people using valid structural questionnaires. Patients were interviewed, and data were recorded. Xerostomia was assessed using subjective symptom questionnaires. Risk factors for xerostomia were analyzed using bivariate and multiple logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: Among the study participants, 38.4% of the older T2DM people had xerostomia, which is associated with sex, age, type of toothpaste, years of diabetes, hemoglobin A1c level, other systemic diseases, medication, smoking, alcohol consumption, and denture wearing. It was significant that xerostomia was associated with toothpaste containing spicy herbal extracts (OR: 9.32 [3.46 to 15.25]), while toothpaste containing artificial sweeteners tended to lower the risk of xerostomia. In addition, older T2DM adults with xerostomia had greater impaired oral functions, which include difficulties in speaking (OR: 3.31 [1.11 to 9.80]), tasting (OR: 5.12 [3.26 to 8.06]), swallowing (OR: 3.59 [2.32 to 5.53]), and chewing (OR: 3.34 [1.15 to 5.82]). CONCLUSIONS: Xerostomia is prevalent in older Thai people with T2DM. The results suggest that toothpaste containing spicy herbal extracts might increase the risk of xerostomia, resulting in various oral function problems. Therefore, greater awareness of xerostomia in this group should be raised to monitor dental health, and professionals should work in parallel with other aspects of oral health promotion.

Prevalence of depression and stress among the first year students in Suranaree University of Technology, Thailand.

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the level of depression and stress among the first-year students at Suranaree University of Technology (SUT) and to compare the level of depression and stress among the samples, classified by demographic factors, including gender, domicile, and problem. This research has been approved by the SUT's Research Ethics Committee. The study period was between July and August 2018. The online, self-report questionnaire was used as a research instrument to collect data from the sample of SUT first-year students. The total number of first-year students at SUT was 3,552 and the response rate was 65.15%. The major findings revealed that 7.0% and 51.1% of them were suffering from depression, and pathological stress, respectively. In addition, the prevalence of depression and pathological stress was higher in female samples than in other gender groups. The findings would suggest that related activities should be organized to promote students' awareness of their suffering and self-control in order to prevent further depression and pathological stress.

Analysis of Risk Areas of Opisthorchis viverrini in Rural Communities by Using SUT-OV-001.

Background: Opisthorchis viverrini is still a serious problem in rural areas of Thailand particularly Northeastern and Northern region. Active surveillance is required to determine the update data for further prevention and control planning. Objective: To determine the population at risk and analyze the risk areas for O. viverrini in rural communities of Nakhon Ratchasima province, Thailand. Material and Method: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between October 2015 and March 2016 at Kang Sanam Nang district, Nakhon Ratchasima province, Thailand. The population at risk for O. viverrini was screened by SUT-OV-001 with Cronbach' alpha coefficient, 0.724. O. viverrini infection was examined by using Kato thick smear. The risk areas were analyzed by using geographic information system. Results: Three hundred ninety seven people were recruited for this study. The majorities were female (53.15%), age group 41 to 50 years old (35.01%), educated with primary school (59.45%), agriculture (85.64%), and of income of 2,000 baht (47.36%). The majorities of them were high-risk (49.62%), followed by moderate risk (36.02%), and low-risk (7.3%). Risk areas were classified as very-high-risk areas, found in Beng Samrong (11.44 km(2)), followed by Keang Sanam Nang (5.21 km(2)). High-risk areas were found in Bueng Phalai sub-district (70.16 km(2)), followed by Bueng Samrong (30.45 km(2)), and Non Samran (27.33 km(2)). O. viverrini infection was 3.02%, and distributed in the moderate risk areas (four cases), high-risk areas (three cases), low-risk areas (three cases), and very-high-risk areas (two cases). Conclusion: The present study indicates the population at risk for O. viverrini and risk areas in the rural communities by using SUT-OV-001 and GIS. These tools are useful to display the risk areas for further prevention and control planning and monitor.

Primary Care Intervention to Prevent and Control Cholangiocarcinoma: Lesson from Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.

Background: Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a bile duct cancer. It includes intra-and extra-hepatic bile duct. It is most commonly found in Thailand particularly in the northeast and north region. Those regions have been reported as the highest of incident of the world. Objective: Primary car interven in the risk areas of CCA among population in Nakhon Ratchasima province,Thailand. Material and Method: A community-based study was conducted among three districts of Nakhon Ratchasima province, Thailand including Bua Yai, Chum Phuang, and Mueang Yang district between July and December 2015. Mix method was used in this study that included cross-sectional survey, action research, and application of Geographic Information System. The study was composed of five steps, develop Korat CCA network, CCA screening by using Korat CCA verbal screening test, detection of liver fluke and CCA in the population at risk by using Kato Katz thick smear technique and ultrasonography, health behavior modification, and development of Geographic Information System for CCA database. Results: Three hundred fifty five participants were tested for liver fluke infection and the infection rate was found to be 2.25%. Eight cases from 88 participants at risk had a dilated bile duct. Populations at risk in each district were selected for health modification briefing that used the social engagement model. Seven community rules were agreed, cooked fish consumption, stop under-cooked fish, hygienic defecation, CCA campaign, food safety club, annual health check, an ongoing monitoring by village health volunteer and local public health officer. Conclusion: Infection in Nakhon Ratchasima is high. A community briefing and rules were agreed. A geovisual display of the population at risk for CCA is now available.