The Metabolic Syndrome and Health Behaviors in School Children Aged 13-16 Years in Ubon Ratchathani: UMeSIA Project.

BACKGROUND: Although metabolic syndrome (MetS) has become a significant public health problem worldwide, little evidence exists to describe the prevalence of MetS in school children using MetS different classifications, and its association with health-related behaviors. METHODS: Using data on 393 children and adolescents aged 13-16 years participating in the Ubon Ratchathani Metabolic Syndrome in Adolescent (UMeSIA) Project, the prevalence of MetS was determined using the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) 2007 definition and other three classifications reported in the previous literature. The prevalence of the MetS was compared across sex, a family history of diabetes, type of schools, and health behaviors using chi-square test. The prevalence of MetS and proportion of abnormalities in MetS components were compared across different MetS classifications using Cochran Q test. RESULTS: The prevalence of MetS in Thai school children was 3.1%, 5.8%, 6.9%, and 11.2% when using IDF, Cook's, Ford's, and De Ferranti's classifications respectively (Difference in MetS prevalence across the four MetS classifications, P < 0.001). Using IDF classification, prevalence was higher in male than female students (5.9% and 1.2%, respectively, P < 0.001) and higher in those with a family history of diabetes than those without (8.5% and 2.3%, respectively, P < 0.001). Students from a sports school had considerably lower MetS prevalence than those from conventional schools (1.9% and 3.5% respectively, P < 0.001). Those with MetS spent significantly longer time watching TV than those without (median (interquartile range) time to watch TV 180.0 (120.0, 240.0) and 120.0 (60.0, 180.0) min per day respectively, P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of MetS in Thai school children was modest and varied greatly when different MetS definitions were applied. Interventions to optimize time spent watching TV and increase physical activity may be beneficial in reducing the risk of the MetS in children and adolescents.

Prognostic factors of human papillomavirus genotypes of invasive cervical carcinoma: an analytical cross-sectional study in lower north-east Thailand.

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer (CXCA) caused by persistent infections by high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) can lead to multi-step carcinogenesis. The best management strategy and significant prognosis for cervical cancer patients remain unclear. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the associations of the two most common HR-HPVs with clinical outcomes of progression and recurrence status as well as prognosis outcomes of patients. MATERIAL AND METHOD: An analytical cross-sectional study of patients registered at Ubon Ratchathani Cancer Hospital was conducted from 2007 to 2010. Clinical data, histopathological features, and clinical outcomes of progression and recurrence status were recorded. HPV type-specific E6/E7 nested multiplex polymerase chain reaction (NMPCR) was performed to identify HR-HPV16 and 18 using extracted deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) from embedded paraffin. Clinical findings and HPV genotypes were analyzed using Fisher's exact test. Association studies of crucial factors and HR-HPV genotypes were performed using logistic regression analysis (odds ratio [OR]) and 95% confidence interval [CI]). A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The study found single HPV16 infection in 57.3%, single HPV18 in 17.3%, mixed HR-HPV16/18 in 13.1%, and non-HPV16, 18, or 16/18 in 12.3%. The findings showed significant association among their genotypes and histopathological types and grading (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.014). Clinical outcomes of progression and recurrence status with increased severity of clinical staging were associated significantly (p = 0.001 and p = 0.002). HPV18 type-specific was shown as a poor prognostic type with its relevance to the severity of disease higher than that of HPV16. CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION: HPV16 and 18 remain the major type-specifics especially in relation to invasive CXCA, requiring further therapeutic vaccination study and proper prognosis. HR-HPV type-specific is very important during cervical carcinogenesis but other crucial contributing factors for prognostic outcomes should be further elucidated.