Chongdee Dangrat

The Usefulness of Homeostatic Measurement Assessment-Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) for Detection of Glucose Intolerance in Thai Women of Reproductive Age with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Objectives. To study the cut-off point of Homeostatic Measurement Assessment-Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) as a screening test for detection of glucose intolerance in Thai women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Study Design. Cross-sectional study. Setting. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital. Subject. Two hundred and fifty Thai PCOS women who attended the Gynecologic Endocrinology Unit, during May 2007 to January 2009. Materials and Methods. The paitents were interviewed and examined for weight, height, waist circumference, and blood pressure. Venous blood samples were drawn twice, one at 12-hour fasting and the other at 2 hours after glucose loading. Results. The prevalence of glucose intolerance in Thai PCOS women was 20.0%. The mean of HOMA-IR was 3.53  ±  7.7. Area under an ROC curve for HOMA-IR for detecting glucose intolerance was 0.82. Using the cut-off value of HOMA-IR >2.0, there was sensitivity at 84.0%, specificity at 61.0%, positive predictive value at 35.0%, negative predictive value at 93.8%, and accuracy at 65.6%. Conclusion. HOMA-IR >2.0 was used for screening test for glucose intolerance in Thai PCOS women. If the result was positive, a specific test should be done to prove the diagnosis.

Causes of primary amenorrhea: A report of 295 cases in Thailand

Aims:  The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of etiologic causes of primary amenorrhea in Thailand.

Prevalence and clinical predictors of insulin resistance in reproductive-aged thai women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Objectives. To determine the prevalence of insulin resistance (IR) and its predictors in reproductive-aged Thai women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted from May 2007 to January 2009. Participants were 250 Thai women with PCOS. Information regarding medical history and physical examination and results of 75 gram OGTT were recorded. Results. The overall prevalence of IR was 20.0%, comprising the prevalence of impaired fasting glucose, impaired glucose tolerance, and diabetic mellitus of 3.2%, 13.6%, and 5.6%, respectively. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the independent predictors for IR were age of ≥30 years old, waist circumference (WC) of ≥80 cm, presence of acanthosis nigricans (AN), and dyslipidemia with odds ratios (95% confidence interval) of 2.14 (1.01–4.52), 3.53 (1.28–9.75), 2.63 (1.17–5.88), and 3.07 (1.16–8.11), respectively. Conclusion. The overall prevalence of IR in reproductive-aged Thai women with PCOS is 20.0%. Age ≥30 years old, WC ≥80 cm, the presence of AN, and dyslipidemia are the significant clinical predictors.

Cimicifuga racemosa extract for relieving menopausal symptoms: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract Objectives To evaluate the effectiveness of black cohosh extract 40 mg/day for relieving moderate to severe menopausal symptoms and improving quality of life in Thai women. Methods A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted in a menopause clinic of a tertiary-care university hospital during 2011–2013. Participants were peri- or postmenopausal Thai women aged at least 40 years, who have moderate to severe menopausal symptoms evaluated using the Kupperman index (KI). Outcome measures included KI, frequency of hot flushes, Menopause-Specific Quality of Life (MENQOL) score, participants’ global satisfaction and safety outcomes. Results There were 54 participants assigned to treatment (black cohosh extract 40 mg/day, n = 27) or placebo group (n = 27). Both the treatment and placebo groups had comparable baseline KI scores (33.9 ± 7.9 vs. 31.3 ± 6.8), frequency of hot flushes (3.1 ± 2.0 vs. 2.8 ± 2.1), and MENQOL scores, all of which improved with time. Neither the improvements nor the global satisfaction were significantly different between the two groups; but the proportion of participants with moderate to severe symptoms seemed to be lower in the treatment group than in the placebo group (40% vs. 60%, p = 0.174). There was no serious adverse event or significant change in liver function tests. Conclusions A black cohosh extract of 40 mg/day is not superior to a placebo for relieving moderate to severe menopausal symptoms or improving quality-of-life scores in Thai women.

Measures of body adiposity and visceral adiposity index as predictors of metabolic syndrome among Thai women with PCOS

Abstract Aim: To evaluate the relationship between measures of body adiposity and visceral adiposity index (VAI) and risk of metabolic syndrome (MS) and to identify the optimal cut-off points of each measurement in Thai polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods: A cross-sectional study was completed physical examination, fasting plasma glucose, lipid profiles of 399 PCOS and 42 age-matched normal controls. Body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and VAI were calculated. Associations between different measures and MS were evaluated and the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve was performed to determine appropriate cut-off points for identifying MS. Results: Percentage of MS in PCOS was 24.6%, whereas none MS in controls. Previously recommended cut-off values for body adiposity and VAI were significantly associated with MS. ROC curve analysis of the only PCOS showed newly obtained optimal cut-off points for BMI and VAI of ≥28 kg/m2 (AUC = 0.90) and >5.6 (AUC = 0.94), respectively. Values found to be more accurate than the original ones. VAI was the best predictor, followed by BMI and WHtR. Conclusion: All body adiposity and VAI parameters can predict the risk of MS. Optimal values for Thai PCOS were ≥28 kg/m2 for BMI, ≥0.85 for WHR, ≥0.5 for WHtR and >5.6 for VAI.

The Efficacy of Thai Herbal Prasaplai Formula for Treatment of Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Short-Term Randomized Controlled Trial

This study aims to compare the efficacy of pain relief between a specific Thai herbal Prasaplai formula (PPF) and placebo in patients with primary dysmenorrhea. Forty women with primary dysmenorrhea symptoms were randomized into two groups. The experimental group received PPF capsules 1000 mg orally three times per day before meals for three days starting from the first day of menstruation. The placebo group received placebo as the same dose and time. Average pain intensity from the first day to the third day of cycle significantly decreased in both groups (p < 0.001), but with no statistically significant difference between groups. Using a pre- and posttreatment difference in NRS of at least 2, a greater proportion of patients in PPF group experienced pain relief compared to placebo during the first and second day of period. A greater proportion of PPF group also experienced no pain compared to the placebo group on day 1 and day 3 by using multidimensional scoring. The PPF demonstrates pain relief activity when used during menstruation in primary dysmenorrhea patients, with no adverse effects. However, further studies are needed in order to assess the value of PPF as a long-term prophylaxis for primary dysmenorrhea.

No association between CYP17 ‐34T/C polymorphism and insulin resistance in Thai polycystic ovary syndrome

To investigate the association of CYP 17 ‐34T/C polymorphism with insulin resistance (IR) in Thai polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Serum interleukin 6 and cancer antigen 125 in the non-invasive diagnosis of endometriosis

Background: The role of interleukin 6 in endometriosis has been extensively studied but results were inconsistent. The purpose of this study was to determine the performance of serum interleukin 6 and serum cancer antigen 125 for non-invasive diagnosis of endometriosis. Methods: In this prospective diagnostic study, 100 reproductive women who underwent laparoscopy were studies. Patients were divided into endometriosis group (n = 60) and control group (n = 40). Blood samples were taken preoperatively for analysis of serum interleukin 6 and cancer antigen 125 levels. Results: Level of serum interleukin 6 and cancer antigen 125 in endometriosis group were significantly higher than those in control group (1.93 versus <1.50 pg/mL and 41.85 versus 11.86 IU/mL, respectively). A cutoff level of interleukin 6 at 1.52 pg/mL provided sensitivity of 63.3%, specificity of 55%, positive predictive value of 67.9%, and negative predictive value of 50%. The threshold level of cancer antigen 125 at 31 IU/mL had sensitivity of 70%, specificity of 100%, positive predictive value of 100%, and negative predictive value of 69%. The combined test had sensitivity of 86.7%, specificity of 60%, positive predictive value of 76.5%, and negative predictive value of 75%. The area under receiver operating characteristic curve of serum interleukin 6, cancer antigen 125, and combined test were 0.614, 0.945, and 0.945, respectively. Conclusion: Serum interleukin 6 is not suitable to be a candidate of serum marker for the diagnosis of endometriosis. Serum cancer antigen 125 is better than interleukin 6 for detection of endometriosis stage III/IV. Both of them had low performance for diagnostic test in minimal to mild endometriosis. The combined test does not add more benefit than using cancer antigen 125 alone.

Endometrial neoplasia in reproductive‐aged Thai women with polycystic ovary syndrome

To determine the risk of endometrial neoplasia in relation to endometrial thickness and to evaluate factors influencing endometrial thickness in reproductive‐aged Thai women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).