Biomedical subjects

Nimit Taechakraichana

Publications and source records attributed to Nimit Taechakraichana.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2003

Efficacy and safety of raloxifene 60 milligrams/day in postmenopausal Asian women.

In healthy Caucasian postmenopausal women, raloxifene increases bone mineral density (BMD), decreases biochemical markers of bone turnover, and lowers low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, without effects on high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and triglycerides. This randomized, double-blind study examines the effects of raloxifene 60 mg/d (n = 483) or placebo (n = 485) in healthy postmenopausal Asian women (mean age 57 yr) from Australia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand. Serum osteocalcin, serum N-telopeptide, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides were assessed at baseline and 6 months. Lumbar spine BMD was measured at baseline and 1 yr in 309 women from 4 countries. Clinical adverse events were recorded at each interim visit. At 6 months, raloxifene 60 mg/d significantly decreased osteocalcin, N-telopeptide, total cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol by medians of 15.9%, 14.6%, 5.3%, and 7.7%, respectively, from placebo. Changes in HDL cholesterol and triglycerides were similar between raloxifene and placebo. Raloxifene 60 mg/d increased mean lumbar spine BMD (1.9%) from placebo at 1 yr (P = 0.0003). The incidences of hot flashes (placebo 3.5%, raloxifene 5.6%, P = 0.12), and leg cramps (placebo 2.7%, raloxifene 4.3%, P = 0.16) were not different between groups. No case of venous thromboembolism was reported. The effects of raloxifene 60 mg/d on bone turnover, BMD, and serum lipids in healthy postmenopausal Asian women were similar to that previously reported in Caucasian women.

Asian People↗

PubMed2003

Hormone replacement therapy: attitude and acceptance of Bangkokian women.

OBJECTIVE: To conduct a hospital-based survey to assess women's attitude and acceptance towards menopause and hormone replacement therapy (HRT). METHOD: The authors conducted a survey in women who visited the menopause clinic in 5 university and public hospitals in Bangkok. A group of 615 women who lived in those catchment areas and voluntarily cooperated in responding to a set of standardized questionnaires was randomly selected. RESULTS: Of the total respondents, 97.0 per cent were in the age range between 40-70 years, 51.7 per cent were in the peri- and postmenopausal period, 65.7 per cent believed that menopause is a natural change but some may need medical treatment, 53.9 per cent were current users of which the average duration of HRT use was 4.70 +/- 3.36 years. The most common reasons for HRT initiation were osteoporosis, hot flashes, and vaginal dryness. The most common side effects found in the current users were breast pain, headache, and vaginal bleeding. Of all the current users, 43.2 per cent wanted to switch from HRT. Most of the respondents (95.4%) based their decision on the choices of treatment on medical advice. Of the total respondents, 62.0-74.7 per cent reported not having enough clear information on menopause and HRT. CONCLUSION: According to the present study, most of the women regarded menopause as a natural change of life although some need treatment. The most common indications for HRT were osteoporosis, hot flashes and vaginal dryness. Nearly half of the current users wanted to switch from HRT. Most of the respondents based their treatment decision on medical advice.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Climacteric: concept, consequence and care.

Climacteric is the period of life starting from the decline in ovarian activity until after the end of ovarian function. According to the definition, the period includes peri-menopause, menopause and post-menopause. Climacteric is considered to be a natural change of life which may be accompanied by various health consequences i.e., menopausal symptoms, osteoporosis, coronary heart disease, or Alzheimer's disease. The key concept is that women enter menopause with different menopausal status for instances, natural menopause, surgical menopause, early menopause or even premature ovarian failure. Women may experience various health consequences due to the difference in genetic and environmental interaction. The prevalence and incidence of menopausal problems vary according to ethnic groups. For instance, Asian women seem to have less problems after menopause than their occidental counterparts. Nevertheless, the problems do exist and seem to be increasing due to the longer life expectancy and lifestyle changes of people in the region. Clinical decision in menopausal therapy can be determined according to health risk stratification. Appropriated menopausal therapeutic strategies include medical and non-medical modalities. The non-medical modalities are mainly focussed on lifestyle modification, while the medical modalities are classified as hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and non-HRT. Those in the high risk group will probably benefit most from medication besides lifestyle modification. There are various types, doses, routes and regimens of medication which need to be appropriately matched with the proper women's characteristics. Those who have contraindications to HRT or can not tolerate its side effects may choose other alternatives eg, selective estrogen receptor modulators, bisphosphonates, calcitonin or calcium and vitamin D. The success of menopausal therapy is to give an appropriate therapeutic option to the right woman. The future direction of research will remain focussing on the development in diagnosis and menopausal therapy particularly the main three areas of health promotion, disease prevention and treatment. The trend of research and development will probably be concentrated on new pharmaceutical agents with more specific action and high selectivity in an attempt to maximize its efficacy and safety. Attention may be paid more on the convenience of drug administration to increase its compliance. Alternative medicine and appropriated technologies are also the fields of special interest of which research is underway.

Adaptation, Physiological↗