Biomedical subjects

F P Schelp

Publications and source records attributed to F P Schelp.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1998

Nutritional status of school children in an endemic area of iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) after one year of iodine supplementation.

To improve the health and nutritional status of school children in an area of iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) by means of different iodine fortifications in salt, fish sauce and drinking water, anthropometric assessment for nutritional measurement, including hematological status, were performed. There was a significant difference in the weight and height of the children from the four schools investigated, before and after supplementation in each school. The prevalence of anemia (as indicated by hematological measurement) and iodine deficiency (as indicated by urinary iodine concentration in the children from the four schools) were assessed and compared before and after iodine supplementation; a decrease in prevalence was found in all school children, however, serum ferritin did not change before and after supplementation.

Anemia↗

PubMed1998

Treatment of Opisthorchis viverrini and intestinal fluke infections with Praziquantel.

The study was carried out from September to November 1997 in Phrae Province of northern Thailand. A total of 95 adult patients with Opisthorchis-like ova in their stools were randomly treated with two different manufactured Praziquantels. Group 1, consisting of 49 patients, received a single dose of 40 mg per kg Praziquantel manufactured by the Thai Government Pharmaceutical Organization. Group 2 (46 patients) received Biltricide at the same dosage. Haplorchis taichui, H. yokogawai, Echinostome spp., O. viverrini, Taenia saginata and Enterobius vermicularis were expelled in the stools after treatment. Minute intestinal flukes were detected in 64% of patients. O. viverrini was found in lower proportion of 17%. By formalin-ether concentration examination one stool specimen from each patient, the cure rate in both groups on the 30th day of treatment was 100%. The side effects of the two different Praziquantel treatments were mild with no significant difference. Praziquantel, regardless of its manufacture, proved effective against O. viverrini and other minute intestinal flukes (H. taichui, H. yokogawai and Echinostome spp).

Adolescent↗

PubMed1997

Prevalence of abnormal glucose tolerance in Khon Kaen Province and validity of urine stick and fasting blood sugar as screening tools.

Three hundred and fifty-five individuals, 152 males and 203 females, aged between 30 and 74 years, were randomly selected in a two stage selection process from rural communities in three districts of Khon Kaen Province, Northeast Thailand. The prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) in the rural area of Northeast Thailand were measured. In addition, the validity of the urine stick and fasting blood sugar as screening tools against the two hours glucose loading test as golden standard were determined. The survey was conducted in July 1995. The glucose loading test was performed on 277 individuals. IGT and NIDDM were classified according to current World Health Organization suggestions. Prevalence rates for IGT were 18.1 per cent and for NIDDM 11.9 per cent. No difference was found between males and females, also when controlled for age. NIDDM prevalence increased with age but IGT rates already were high in the younger age groups. This finding suggests that IGT precedes NIDDM in Thailand. The validity of the urine stick as a screening tool in communities was insufficient, with a sensitivity of less than 20 per cent. When using fasting blood sugar as a screening test, the sensitivity was close to 44 per cent and the specificity 90 per cent. It is concluded that the urine stick is not a useful screening tool and the method of using blood sugar concentrations for screening have to be improved before it can be applied within communities.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Risk factors for chronic diseases among road sweepers in Bangkok.

The nutritional and health status of road sweepers in Bangkok was investigated. Fifty-seven males and one hundred thirty-four females from 10 districts were selected for the study. The districts were sampled as cluster at random. From each district selected about 50% of road sweepers volunteered to participate in the investigation. Through questionnaires the age, marital status, place of origin, drinking and smoking habits were assessed. Anthropometric measurements, blood pressure and the lipid profile of these subjects were determined. According to a physical check-up and X-rays taken, all individuals investigated were apparently healthy. The age of the study group varied between 26 and 57 years. The median for the males was 47 years and for the females 37.5 years. Almost all the road sweepers were married. Smoking and alcohol drinking was widespread. Over- and undernutrition was found among the group investigated. 26.3% of the males and 1.5% of the females were undernourished. According to their systolic values, 15.8% of the males and 6.7% of the females were suffering from hypertension, and 38.6% of the males and 15.7% of the females had hypertension according to their diastolic values. 58.2% of the females and 29.3% of the males were overnourished. 57.9% of the males and 59.7% of the females had cholesterol levels above 200 mg/dl. Pathological values of LDL cholesterol were determined in 26.3% of the males and 28.4% of the females. The habit of consuming tonic drinks was widespread among the workers. The study concluded that behavior risk factors are highly prevalent in the group of workers belonging to the lower socio-economic class. Further investigations are presently being undertaken to study the after-effects of air pollution among this group of workers. The results will be subsequently reported in future publications.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Vitamin B12, folic acid, ferritin and haemoglobin status of rural women in child-bearing age in northeast Thailand.

Serum vitamin B12, folic acid, ferritin and haematological variables were investigated in six hundred and seven women from 12 villages of 3 districts namely Chumpae, Srichumpu and Pupaman of Khon Kaen province, Northeast Thailand within the age range of 15-45 years. The cut-off point of haemoglobin concentration < 12 g/dl was applied for defining the normal and anaemic group (17.3%). The result showed that the concentration of ferritin, folic acid and vitamin B12 in the anaemic group were less than that of the normal group. Forty six out of 607 women or 7.6 per cent were found to be undernourished and 27.2 per cent of females were overnourished. The prevalence of deficiencies of vitamin B12, folic acid and ferritin were 6.3 per cent, 4.3 per cent and 12.5 per cent respectively.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1995

Vitamin B1, B2 and B6 during the course of pregnancy of rural and urban women in northeast Thailand.

The vitamin B1, B2 and B6 status was investigated in a group of rural and urban pregnant women in the northeast of Thailand during the course of pregnancy. The vitamin status of all three vitamins did not change during the course of pregnancy even for the group of rural women. Differences between the group of village women and those females from a high socio-economic urban fraction of the population were only observed for the vitamin B2 status. The B2-dependent enzyme activation coefficient varies between 46.5 up to 56.7% for the rural and between 8.9 to 18.5% for the urban women. Vitamin B6 deficiencies as measured by the activation coefficient varied above 30% up to 40% and more for both groups of women. A functional significance could only be established for vitamin B2 deficiency. The increase of the activation coefficient correlated with an increase in the serum concentration levels of transferrin. Transferrin in turn was inversely correlated with haemoglobin.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

Vitamin B12, folic acid, ferritin and haematological variables among Thai construction site workers in urban Bangkok.

Serum vitamin B12, folic acid, ferritin and haematological variables were investigated in eighty-seven male and nineteen female construction site workers in Bangkok. Haemoglobin concentration, haematocrit and MCHC were found to be higher in male than in female workers. Serum ferritin was slightly higher in males than in females. Serum B12 was found to be higher in male than in female workers and serum folic acid level were significantly higher in female than in male workers. Vitamin B12 deficiency was found in 2.3 per cent and folic acid deficiency in 6.9 per cent of the male workers. Serum vitamin B12 and folic acid levels were normal for female workers. The adequate serum levels of vitamin B12 and folic acid might be the result of the habit of the workers to consume tonic drinks which contain glucose, caffeine, and vitamins especially vitamins B6, and B12.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1995

alpha 1-antitrypsin phenotype PiMZ, a risk factor for liver cirrhosis but not for liver cancers in Thailand.

The risk of developing liver cirrhosis, hepatoma (HCC) and bile duct carcinoma (BDC) have been associated with homozygous alpha 1-antitrypsin (AT) deficiency especially linked to the Z allele. While the association between liver cancers and AT deficiency remains debatable, the risk of adult AT deficiency carriers to develop liver cirrhosis has not been assessed quantitatively. Liver cancers and liver diseases with subsequent liver cirrhosis are highly prevalent in tropical countries such as Thailand and heterozygous AT phenotypes are rather common in this country as well. The aim of this study was to assess the risk of developing liver cirrhosis, HCC and BDC by means of case-control studies with Thai patients and controls in connection with AT deficiency. For hepatitis, HCC and BDC to association with AT deficiency was detected. Carriers of PiMZ phenotype in Thailand have a high risk to develop liver cirrhosis (odds. ratio of 10.8, 95% confidence interval = 1.3-88.1). Patients with predisposing diseases should be screened for Pi phenotypes so that rigorous measures to combat the occurrence of liver cirrhosis can be implemented.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1994

Compliance of population groups of iodine fortification in an endemic area of goiter in northeast Thailand.

Methods of iodine fortification were tested among women of child bearing ages in four villages of Khon Kaen province, an endemic area of goiter in northeast Thailand, Ban Wang Pa Dum, Ban Pa Klauy and Ban Non Chart received iodine fortified in fish sauce, salt and drinking water respectively, whereas, Ban Non Sa-aad served as a control village. Urine iodine concentrations were investigated before supplement and after three and six months of the experimental period. Three months after supplement, urine iodine levels of villagers from Ban Non Chart and Ban Non Sa-aad were higher than those of Ban Wang Pa Dum and Ban Pa Klauy. Six months later, subjects from Ban Wang Pa Dum and Ban Pa Klauy who had received fortified fish sauce and iodinated salt respectively had significantly higher urine iodine concentrations than those of the other two villages. The result implied that fortified fish sauce and iodinated salt were well accepted by the villagers. However, fortified fish sauce might be the best and most feasible method because villagers use fish sauce more constantly in cooking and salting dishes.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1994

Quetelet index, hemoglobin and parasitic infection of rural women in northeast Thailand.

The Quetelet index, hemoglobin and parasitic infection rates of adolescent and young women from 21 villages in Northeast Thailand were assessed. Data were collected in the hot, rainy and cold seasons of the year. The proportion of undernourished females varied between 10 and 15% when a cut-off point of 18.7 of the Quetelet index was chosen. 23 to 33% of the women had hemoglobin levels below 12 g%. Parasitic infection rates with various intestinal helminths were high but not related to the nutritional status or anemia.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1994

Socio-demographic characteristics and health status of urban Thai elderly.

Socio-demographic and health status of 205 elderly aged 60-90 years who attended a special clinic for the elderly at Rajvithi Hospital were investigated. All of the subjects had no major complaints and seemed to be apparently healthy. Socio-economic situation, life-style pattern and other health related information was assessed. Nearly all of the elderly lived with their relatives. Quite a high number of the females had never attended school. Almost 60% of the elderly had no regular income. The health situation of the individuals under investigation seemed to be satisfactory. The majority did not smoke and did not drink alcohol. There are indications that in the future more of the elderly population will stay alone and will face economical problems because of the absence of general social security scheme for Thailand.

Aged↗

PubMed1993

Urine iodine concentration and prevalence of goiter among rural women of child bearing ages in Northeast Thailand.

Iodine deficiency was investigated in 575 women from 12 villages of Pupaman, Si Chomphu and Amphoe Chum Phae in Khon Kaen province in a project survey under Thai-German cooperation entitled "Promotion of Health and Nutrition Status of Rural Women in Northeast Thailand". The prevalence of goiter (grades 1A, 1B, 2 and 3) were 71.6 per cent in Pupaman, 58.4 per cent in Amphoe Si Chomphu and 35.1 per cent in Amphoe Chum Phae. However, the percentage of urine iodine deficiency of the women from these districts, is reversely with the palpation grading of thyroid gland. The high prevalence of goiter in Pupaman might occur due to goitrogenic effects, although the urine iodine concentration was lower than other districts. Further study about the determination of thiocyanate should be suggested in the high prevalence of goiter.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1993

Parasitic infection and socio-demographic characteristics of urban construction site workers.

The socio-demographic characteristics and prevalence of parasitic infection of 117 (96 males and 21 females) construction site workers were investigated by means of questionnaires and stool examinations. The age characteristics of the individuals investigated varied widely from 15-60 years with a high percentage in the 21-30 years age range, no sex differences were discovered. Most of the workers received primary education even though some of them did not complete it. The percentage of illiteracy in females was quite high (9.5%) compared with males (2.1%). About 60% and 20% of these construction site workers migrated from the northeastern and northern regions of Thailand, respectively. 79.3% of male and 94.7% of female workers were found to be infected with parasites. Hookworm and Opisthorchis were predominant parasites.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1993

Vitamin B12, folic acid and haematological status in elderly Thais.

Serum vitamin B12, folic acid and haematological data from 147 elderly people (55 males and 92 females) who visited the special clinic for the elderly at Rajvithi Hospital, Bangkok between July and November 1989 were investigated. The individuals studied came from a health-conscious group of the middle socio-economic class in Bangkok. All of them were fairly well except for minor ailments and typical diseases of elderly people such as hypertension, mild to moderate degree coronary heart diseases and non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. There was a statistically significant difference in haemoglobin concentrations between males and females. According to the standard haemoglobin cut-off point values of 13 g/dl for males and 12 g/dl for females, anaemia was detected in 22 (15%) of the 147 subjects. The percentage of folic acid deficiency was found to be 20.6 per cent (30 of the 147 cases). Vitamin B12 insufficiency was found in only 6.9 per cent (10 of the 147 cases). No statistically significant correlation between haemoglobin, folic acid and vitamin B12 was found. However, when the data were grouped according to different intervals of increasing haemoglobin concentrations, for females there was a tendency for serum vitamin B12 to decrease, and serum folic acid to increase in both males and females. The results of this study suggest that folate deficiency may play a role in the occurrence of anaemia in elderly people, and therefore, dietary counselling and supplementation of folic acid are recommended.

Aged↗

PubMed1993

Nutritional health and parasitic infection of rural Thai women of the child bearing age.

The nutritional and health status of non-pregnant women of child bearing age from 20 villages of two districts in Maha Sarakham Province, approximately 500 km northeast of Bangkok, were investigated in April 1987. About 12 per cent of the studied women had a body mass index below 18.7 which is used as a cut-off point of being undernourished. Fat stores and muscle mass were smaller when compared to western females. Only two per cent of the women investigated had low serum albumin, indicating a severe deprivation in the nutritional status. A relatively high prevalence of anaemia was also found. Iron deficiency and haemoglobinopathy are common causes of anaemia. In addition, vitamin B2 depletion also contributes to the high rate of anaemia. Gastrointestinal parasitic infection rates were high with liver fluke, hookworm and echinostomiasis. Hookworm infection had no effect on the rate of anaemic, most probably the worm load in the women infected was rather low. It is recommended that the nutritional health of rural adolescents and young women should be enhanced by generally improving dietary habits and the quality of nutrient intake especially through protein, vitamins and micronutrient. Public health programmes focused on preventive activities should be aimed at this group in order to reduce the prevalent rate of undernutrition, anaemia and parasitic infection.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1993

Vitamin B12, folic acid and haematological status of 132 Thai vegetarians.

Serum vitamin B12, folic acid and haematological variables of 132 Thai vegetarians (64 males and 68 females) were investigated. Forty-seven healthy omnivorous individuals served as controls. No statistical differences in haemoglobin concentration, packed red cell volume and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration between the vegetarians and controls had been detected. In the female vegetarians, the haemoglobin concentration and packed red cell volume were, however, statistically lower. No significant differences in the white cell counts and platelet counts were observed in both groups. A significant increase of basophilic stippling and reticulocytes was observed in the vegetarians. Serum vitamin B12 decreased and serum folic acid levels increased according to the duration of vegetarianism in the vegetarians. In the females practicing vegetarianism for 6-10 years or more, the proportion of serum vitamin B12 deficiencies was particularly high. The high percentage of vitamin B12 deficiency in the vegetarians might be related to megaloblastic anaemia. This form of anaemia is commonly associated with the presence of basophilic stippling. Therefore, the increased presence of basophilic stippling and reticulocytes might indicate a mild stage of this type of anaemia among the vegetarians.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

The area between curves (ABC)--measure in nutritional anthropometry.

This paper considers a statistic--recently suggested by Mora--for the deviation of a sample distribution from a reference distribution which typically arises in anthropometry when using the nutritional indicators height/age, weight/age or weight/height. The statistic measures the area between curves (ABC) and stands for the mass of the sample distribution which is not covered by the reference distribution. The paper provides a statistical framework for the ABC and includes some minor corrections of Mora's original paper. For the normal distribution situation with common or different variances, formulae are derived which include a partition of ABC into parts corresponding to malnourished and well-nourished groups. However, the main result is a non-parametric generalization of the ABC, motivated by the fact that the nutritional indicators often have skewed distributions with heavier left tails. Non-parametric statistical inference is provided by linking the ABC to the Kolmogorov-Smirnov statistic.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed1992

Lipid profile, anthropometry and dietary intake of 132 Thai vegetarians.

The anthropometric measurements, lipid pattern and dietary intake of 64 male and 68 female Thai vegetarians (mostly lacto-vegetarians) were investigated. 32 males and 36 females on an ordinary Thai diet served as controls. Nutritional anthropometric variables and serum lipid concentrations, which the exception of triglycerides, were found to be lower in the vegetarian group than in the control group. The vegetarians consumed more energy than the controls. No difference in the protein intake was observed in both groups. Fat intake was, however, lower and carbohydrate intake higher in the vegetarian group. Also in the vegetarian group, HDL-cholesterol fraction correlated negatively with anthropometric measurements. Other fractions show only a weak correlation, if at all, in this group. A good correlation to all serum lipid variables determined to anthropometric measurement was observed in the control group.

Adult↗