1.Plasma asymmetric dimethylarginine and its association with some of cardiovascular disease risk factors in chronic kidney disease
Tam Vo ; Thang Hoang Viet ; Quoc Hoang Trong A
The Medical Journal of Malaysia 2019;74(3):209-214
Introduction: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) usually has
increase of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) levels.
ADMA is a cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor and its
elevation associated with other CVD risk factors at CKD
leads to increasing risk of death. In this article, we aimed to
identify levels and elevation proportion of plasma ADMA in
CKD as well as association between ADMA with CVD risk
factors.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed at Hue
Central Hospital from 2012-2016 on 176 CKD and 64 control
subjects. ADMA levels were measured by using the enzyme
linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method.
Results: Mean ADMA level was markedly higher (p<0.001) in
all patients combined (0.73±0.24µmol/L) than in control
subjects (0.47±0.13µmol/L). Mean ADMA levels in advanced
kidney disease were higher than control subjects. ADMA
levels correlated inversely and relatively strictly to estimated
glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (r = -0.689; p<0.001),
haemoglobin (r = -0.525; p<0.001) and haematocrit (r = -
0.491; p<0.001); correlated favourably and relatively strictly
to serum creatinine (r = 0.569; p<0.001) and serum urea (r =
0.642; p<0.001). ADMA elevation was predicted
simultaneously by eGFR<60 mL/min/1.73m2 (p<0.001),
anaemia (p=0.002), body mass index (BMI) (p=0.011) and
high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (p=0.041). Cutoff of ≥0.68µmol/L, ADMA levels predict reduction of
eGFR<60 mL/min/1.73m2
, sensitivity of 86.9 %, specificity of
82.6%, area under ROC 92.4% (95%CI: 88.6-96.1%).
2.Gap in measles vaccination coverage among children aged 9 months to 10 years in Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam, 2014
Hoang Quoc Cuong ; Ho Xuan Nguyen ; Pham Van Hau ; Nguyen Le Khanh Ha ; Phan Trong Lan ; Anthony Mounts ; Tran Minh Nhu Nguyen
Western Pacific Surveillance and Response 2019;10(4):39-45
Introduction:
When Viet Nam launched the Expanded Programme on Immunization in 1981, it covered six vaccines, including measles. Subsequently, Viet Nam experienced a marked reduction in measles infections. A nationwide measles epidemic occurred in April 2014 and an investigation found that 86% of affected children aged 9 months to 10 years were not fully vaccinated; therefore, understanding the reasons for not vaccinating could improve vaccination coverage.
Methods:
We performed a cross-sectional study to determine vaccination coverage and reasons for non-vaccination among children aged 9 months to 10 years in six districts in Ho Chi Minh City with the highest number of measles cases in 2014. Measles vaccination status of the youngest child in each household was determined and reasons for non-vaccination were investigated. A χ2 test and multiple logistic regression were used to identify independent predictors of full vaccination.
Results:
In total, 207 children were enrolled during the study period in 2014. Full measles vaccination coverage was 55% in these households, and 73% of parents were aware of the importance of measles vaccination to protect their children. We found that the father’s education level (under high school versus high school and above) and the site where the survey was conducted were significantly associated with vaccination status.
Conclusion
The vaccination coverage was lower than the coverage reported by district preventive medicine centres of the seven study wards. Lack of the second vaccination was a key obstacle to eliminating the vaccination gap. A catch-up mass vaccination campaign or health promotion of measles vaccination directed towards parents should be considered to improve vaccination coverage.