Cases of exertional heat stroke have been reported every year during basic training for Royal Thai Army (RTA) conscripts. Prevention is an important strategy to reduce the incidence of heat-related illnesses. We conducted a study to identify potential indicators for the prevention and monitoring of heat-related illnesses among military conscripts undergoing basic training in Thailand. All newly inducted RTA conscripts in 5 basic training units in 5 regions in Thailand were invited to participate in a prospective cohort study from May 1 to July 9, 2013. The incidence rate of heat-related illnesses and the incidence rate ratio (IRR) based on a Poisson regression model were used to identify the independent factors associated with heat-related illnesses, daily tympanic (body) temperatures higher than 37.5°C, >3% decreases in body weight in one day, and the production of dark brown urine. Eight hundred and nine men aged 21.4 (±1.13) years were enrolled in this study. The prevalence of a body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m2 was 5.5%. During the study period, 53 subjects (6.6%) representing 3.41/100 person-months (95% confidence interval (CI), 2.55–4.23) developed heat-related illnesses (excluding heat rash), and no subjects experienced heat stroke. The incidence rates of a daily tympanic temperature >37.5°C at least once, body weight loss of >3% per day, and the production of dark brown urine at least once were 8.27/100 person-months (95% CI, 7.69–8.93), 47.91/100 person-months (95% CI, 44.22–51.58), and 682.11/100 person-months (95% CI, 635.49–728.52), respectively. The sole identified independent factor related to the incidence of heat-related illnesses was a BMI ≥30 kg/m2 (adjusted IRR = 2.66, 95% CI, 1.01–7.03). In conclusion, a high BMI was associated with heat-related illnesses among conscripts undergoing basic training in Thailand. Daily monitoring of heat-related illnesses, body temperature, body weight and urine color in each new conscript during basic military training was feasible.

These data suggest that the combination of QUS and age and weight could significantly improve the prognosis of osteoporosis in Asian women, and that the nomogram can assist primary care physicians in the identification of high-risk women.

To describe the corneal endothelial density and morphology in patients of Phramongkutklao Hospital and the relationship between endothelial cell parameters and other factors. Methods: Four hundred and four eyes of 202 volunteers were included. Noncontact specular microscopy was performed after taking a history and testing the visual acuity, intraocular pressure measurement, Schirmer's test and routine eye examination by slit lamp microscope. The studied parameters included mean endothelial cell density (MCD), coeffi cient of variation (CV), and percentage of hexagonality. Results: The mean age of volunteers was 45.73 years; the range being 20 to 80 years old. Their MCD (SD), mean percentage of CV (SD) and mean (SD) percentage of hexagonality were 2623.49(325) cell/mm 2 , 39.43(8.23)% and 51.50(10.99)%, respectively. Statistically, MCD decreased signifi cantly with age (p Ͻ 0.01). There was a signifi cant difference in the percentage of CV between genders. There was no statistical signifi cance between parameters and other factors. Conclusion:The normative data of the corneal endothelium of Thai eyes indicated that, statistically, MCD decreased signifi cantly with age. Previous studies have reported no difference in MCD, percentage of CV, and percentage of hexagonality between gender. Nevertheless, signifi cantly different percentages of CV between genders were presented in this study.

Bone mass density measurement for predicting osteoporosis using QUS had a very low sensitivity and was not good enough to replace the standard tool (DXA).

Physical combat readiness of military personnel ensures maximal effectiveness of combat forces during wartime. Combat readiness has always been linked to the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT). Each raw score is converted to a standard score and corrected for age and gender. There is no standard measurement to evaluate combat readiness in the Royal Thai Army. To determine standardized criteria for physical combat readiness of Royal Thai Army personnel through systematic review, the APFT was used to determine fitness levels and to promote health. To pass the test, each soldier in each unit must attain a minimal standard score for each individual subtest. At present, each unit in the armed forces derives its own standard, based on different missions. The APFT might be an acceptable method to measure physical combat readiness. However, no studies have established the general measurements to evaluate combat readiness.