Background Albuminuria is an established risk marker for both cardiovascular and renal outcomes. In this study, we expected to use portable and inexpensive test strips to detect urine albumin level for risk stratification in cardiovascular and renal outcomes among rural Thai community. Objective To evaluate the relationship between urine albumin dipstick and cardiovascular and renal complications in rural Thai population. Methods We conducted a retrospective study in 635 rural Thai adults who tested urine albuminuria by using commercial urine albumin dipstick and the Micral-albumin test II strips at baseline. The subjects were divided into normoalbuminuria (albumin < 20 mg/L), microalbuminuria (albumin 20–200 mg/L), or macroalbuminuria (Urine dipstick at least 1+ or albumin > 200 mg/L). We collected data on the incidences of primary composite outcomes including cardiovascular or renal morbidity and mortality. Incident density and cox regression were analyzed to evaluate the association between albuminuria status and primary composite outcome. Results During an average 14-year follow-up, 102 primary composite events occurred including 59 (13.1%), 32 (20.6%) and 11 (39.3%) among 452, 155, and 28 subjects with normoalbuminuria, microalbuminuria, and macroalbuminuria, respectively. Incident densities of primary composite outcome were elevated continually according to the degree of albuminuria (9.36, 17.11 and 38.12 per 1000 person-years). Compared with the subjects without albuminuria, subjects with microalbuminuria and macroalbuminuria at baseline had higher risk for primary composite outcome in univariate model. After multivariate analysis was performed, the effect of macroalbuminuria was only persisted with 3.13-fold risk (adjusted HR 3.13; 95% CI 1.40–6.96, P= 0.005). Conclusion Albuminuria from semi-quantitative methods is an important factor predicting cardiovascular and renal risk among subjects in Thai rural population. Our findings support to also incorporating urine albumin dipstick into assessments of cardiovascular risk in the general population.

Background Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is described as a cluster of cardiometabolic risk factors that can increase the possibility of developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases. According to monastic rules, Thai Buddhist monks are not allowed to cook meals and do exercise. This unique lifestyle generally encompasses low physical activities and may cause several noncommunicable diseases. Thus, in this study, we aimed to examine the prevalence, risk factors, and perception of MetS among Thai Buddhist monks. Methods This was a cross-sectional study conducted among Thai Buddhist monks living in Tha Luang District, Lopburi Province, Central Thailand. Study participants completed a questionnaire inquiring about personal and health data, and they also underwent physical examination, including anthropometric measurements, before undergoing biochemical blood tests. MetS was defined based on the National Cholesterol Education Program ATP III (NCEP ATP3) criteria. A qualitative study using in-depth interview was conducted to determine the knowledge and perceptions regarding MetS among Thai Buddhist monks. Results In total, 96 Thai Buddhist monks were included in this study. The prevalence of MetS was 28.1%. Participants who had a body mass index of \(\ge\)25 kg/m2 were determined to have a higher risk of developing MetS (OR, 4.5; 95% CI, 1.6–13.3). The in-depth interview revealed that participants’ perceptions were directly associated with their beliefs, experience, and basic healthcare knowledge. A qualitative study identified two primary factors of MetS among Thai Buddhist monks, viz., unhealthy diet and low physical activity. Conclusions MetS prevalence in Thai Buddhist monks was moderate compared with that reported by other studies. Medical providers and Buddhist devotees should cooperate in providing health promotion by donating healthy food, conducting annual health checkups, and arranging alternative exercises in a private area that correspond with the monastic rules. Therefore, early screening, treatment, and patient education are the most important factors to manage MetS in Thai Buddhist monks.