PSU Medical Journal

Comparison of Three-Dimensional and Two-Dimensional Computed Tomography Scans for Cephalometric Mandibular Measurements in Thailand: A Retrospective Study

Atthawit Mongkornwong, Sasigan Prapun, Pattira Boonsri — Fri, 18 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0700

Objective: To evaluate whether 2D computerized tomography (CT) cephalometric measurements are comparable to 3D CT measurements of the mandible bone.
Material and Methods: In this retrospective study, we collected data from patients who visited the emergency room of Songklanagarind Hospital between 2017 and 2020. A single operator identified 11 landmarks for cephalometric measurements in all images. Each image underwent three separate tracings, and subsequent repeated measurements were employed for further statistical analyses.
Results: This study included 135 patients (87 males and 48 females). The mean age of the patients was 40.48±15 years. Nine of the eleven parameters showed a significant difference between the 2D and 3D cephalometric measurements (p-value<0.05). Male patients had a longer mandible than female patients, and there was a statistically significant size difference between the sexes (p-value<0.05), except for the mental foramen size (pair t-test >0.05). Length measurements displayed a statistically significant positive correlation with height and BSA (p-value<0.05), while no correlation was observed with body mass index (BMI) (p-value>0.05). Angle measurements did not exhibit any correlation with height, BSA, or BMI.
Conclusion: In this study, 2D cephalometric measurements were significantly different from 3D CT measurements in each individual. Based on these findings, we recommend that surgeons should consider using 3D CT cephalometric measurements.

The Clients’ Satisfaction of Nanthana-Kriangkrai Chotiwattanaphan (NKC) Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Endoscopic Service in Songklanagarind Hospital

Sutjai Maneechot, Nisa Netinatsunton — Fri, 18 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0700

Objective: 1) To assess patients’ satisfaction pertaining to the service of the Nanthana-Kriangkrai Chotiwattanaphan Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology (NKC) 2) To assess factors associated with the satisfaction of patients on the services of NKC.
Material and Methods: We collected data by using a QR Code scan questionnaire validated with content validity index (CVI); IOC value of 1 and Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.93. A Purposive Sampling method was utilized to enrolled patients having undergone endoscopy procedures at the NKC institute over a 4 month span (January 1st to May 30th 2024). The levels of satisfaction were categorized into 5 levels, from the lowest score of 1 to the highest score of 5.
Results: There were 1,177 patients having filled out the questionnaire: 38.5% male patients and 61.5% female; mean age±S.D. was 47±13.91 years. The overall satisfaction was 97.3%, with the highest satisfaction in all items. The environmental convenience and cleanness of the endoscopic unit was 98.5% satisfied. The services by the staffs were satisfied in 98.4% of patients. Satisfaction with the service process was 97.2%. Patients aged >60 years were most satisfied with the service, with a mean satisfaction score of 4.71 (S.D.=0.49). Patients aged between 31-40 years also showed the second high satisfaction scores, with a mean satisfaction score of 4.70 (S.D.=0.54). Among the omst satisfied clients, 95.2% would recommend others to use NKC services.
Conclusion: Patients were highly satisfied with the services of the NKC. Patients aged more than 60 years and 31-40 years showed the most satisfaction. The majority of the patients would recommend others to use NKC services.

Palliative Care Knowledge Among People in Southern Population of Thailand

Fri, 18 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0700

Objective: To evaluate the level of knowledge and associated factors regarding palliative care among the Southern Thailand population.
Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among participants aged 18 years and above. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire that included sections on sociodemographic characteristics, experiences and education related to palliative care. Statistical analyses were performed using descriptive analysis and inferential analysis; including the Wilcoxon rank-sum test and multivariate linear regression.
Results: The majority of respondents were female (68.6%), with a mean age of 55 years. Most participants identified as Buddhist (92.8%) and had primary school education (40.8%). A significant proportion of respondents had no experience with or formal education in palliative care (71.1% and 86.1%, respectively). Moreover, half of the respondents misunderstood that palliative care is solely for end-of-life patients; additionally, 75.8% incorrectly understood that an advanced care plan is only conducted appropriatly when patients can no longer make decisions. Palliative care knowledge scores were significantly associated with education level, age, income and palliative care experience (p-value<0.01).
Conclusion: While there is general awareness of palliative care among respondents, significant misunderstandings exist regarding its criteria and services. Enhancing public knowledge through targeted information and education is crucial to improve the understanding and accessibility of palliative care.

Comparison of Disease Prevalence and Severity of SARS-CoV-2 Infection between Two Factory Accommodation Isolations in Southern Thailand

Kanruethai Tangsurased, Chanon Kongkamol, Phoomjai Sornsenee, Thammasin Ingviya — Fri, 18 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0700

Objective: In 2021, the Thai Ministry of Public Health implemented policies known as “Factory Accommodation Isolation” (FAI) to provide care for confirmed patients with coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). FAIs were established to alleviate strain on the healthcare system. However, the effectiveness of FAIs in alleviating COVID-19 remains unclear due to a lack of knowledge concerning the extent of the outbreak and the symptoms, severity, and management of the disease in workers’ factories. This study aimed to describe and compare the characteristics, severity, and incidence of COVID-19 cases in two FAI facilities.
Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in two factories related to concrete manufacturing and the production of rubber gloves in Songkhla, Thailand, between October 2021 and November 2021.
Results: The prevalence of COVID-19 infection in the concrete manufacturing factory, where prevention measures for COVID-19 were implemented early, and in the rubber glove factory was 38% and 21%, respectively. Patients from the concrete manufacturing factory reported a higher prevalence of symptoms, including cough, muscle pain, loss of sense of smell, and difficulty in breathing than did those from the rubber glove factory. Patients with incomplete vaccination had a higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms.
Conclusion: FAI design, number of workers, and crowded working spaces were associated with COVID-19 outbreaks in the workplace. This study showed that caring for patients with COVID-19 in FAI facilities can be performed safely while reducing the use of medical resources and personnel, which should be reserved for severe infections.

Association of PTEN and ARID1A Expression in Patients with Atypical Endometrial Hyperplasia and Concurrent Endometrioid Carcinoma: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Fri, 18 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0700

Objective: Some endometrial biopsies from patients with atypical hyperplasia/endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia (AH/EIN) show concurrent endometrioid carcinoma (EC). Hysterectomy is the standard treatment for AH/EIN; however, hormonal therapy is also acceptable for women who wish to preserve fertility. Few studies have simultaneously evaluated the expressions of PTEN and ARID1A in endometrial biopsies to predict concurrent EC. This study aim evaluated whether the loss of PTEN and ARID1A expressions in endometrial biopsies indicate the presence of concurrent EC.
Material and Methods: Endometrial biopsies from 46 patients with AH/EIN who underwent hysterectomy within 3 months between 2011 and 2021 were reviewed. Loss of or intact PTEN and ARID1A expressions was evaluated using immunohistochemistry. The presence or absence of EC in the hysterectomy specimen indicated the presence or absence of concurrent EC. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine associations.
Results: Concurrent EC was found in 32.6% (15/46) of the patients. Loss of PTEN and ARID1A was observed in 54.3% and 8.7% of the endometrial biopsies, respectively. Endometrial biopsies with loss of PTEN expression had an insignificantly higher prevalence of concurrent EC than those with intact PTEN expression (44% versus [vs.] 19%, p-value=0.107). Loss and intact ARID1A expressions showed no difference in the prevalence of concurrent EC (25% vs. 33.3%, p-value=1). Multivariate analysis showed loss of PTEN tended to be associated with concurrent EC (odd ratio [OR]=2.38, 95% CI 0.52–10.96), while loss of ARIDA showed no evidence of association (OR=0.92, 95% CI=0.07–12.97).
Conclusion: One-third of the endometrial biopsies with AH/EIN have concurrent EC. The loss of PTEN expression in AH/EIN may indicate the presence of concurrent cancer. However, further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm the results.

From Biopower to Embodiment: Reconfiguring Healthcare Beyond the Pandemic of Medicalization

Phoomjai Sornsenee — Fri, 18 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0700