Gout is the most common inflammatory arthritis among Filipinos, characterized by hyperuricemia leading to mono- sodium urate crystal deposition and an ensuing inflammatory response. Though typically a disorder of middle- aged and older adults, tophaceous gout presenting before the age of 30 is rare and suggests aggressive disease progression. Allopurinol, a first-line urate-lowering therapy, is generally effective but may cause rare, potentially life-threatening adverse reactions such as allopurinol hypersensitivity syndrome (AHS). Febuxostat, a non-purine xanthine oxidase inhibitor, is an alternative for patients intolerant to allopurinol. Although hypersensitivity reactions to febuxostat are extremely rare, isolated case reports document their occurrence in both patients with prior AHS and in allopurinol-naïve individuals. Hypersensitivity to both agents is exceedingly uncommon and presents a major therapeutic challenge. In such cases, febuxostat desensitization, conducted in collaboration with allergy specialists, may permit a viable solution to safely reintroduce urate-lowering therapy and prevent further disease progression. This case report describes a patient with young-onset, tophaceous gout who developed severe hypersensitivity reactions to both allopurinol and febuxostat — an unusual and challenging therapeutic dilemma. The case highlights the need for individualized management strategies, including the consideration of drug desensitization, in patients with limited urate-lowering options.

Human ; Male ; Adult: 25-44 Yrs Old ; World Health Organization ; Therapeutics ; Specialization ; Solutions ; Research Report ; Pharmaceutical Preparations

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Barangay Health Workers (BHW) are a crucial part of the local health system. Health services at the barangay level are heavily dependent on BHWs. However, despite their significant role in the local health system, support has been minimal and not commensurate with their contributions. The study aimed to identify the perceived external and internal factors that affect the performance of BHWs.

METHODS

The study identified the BHW-perceived external and internal factors affecting performance, through mixed quantitative and qualitative methods. A self-administered questionnaire with a 4-point Likert scale that will assess the factors was given to 561 BHWs from five different upland municipalities of Cavite. A focus group discussion using open-ended questions was conducted to gain an in-depth understanding of their experiences. Emerging themes were reported into narratives.

RESULTS

BHWs maintained a strong level of participation at required health activities, but more than half were often late, owing to their volunteer status and external responsibilities. They were perceived to have a high sense of duty reflected by punctual submission of reports and confidence in delivering health services. Job satisfaction emerged as a substantial motivator while burnout was not a significant demotivator. Leadership and support from local government and health program management were perceived positively by most BHWs. Service delivery confidence was high among BHWs as reflected in their capability to provide expected services. BHWs perceived that challenges were present in terms of the adequacy of medicines and supplies, and on data transmission, although half were generally satisfied with the organization of health records. Human resources were perceived to be sufficient. Financial aspects showed that while most BHWs do not contribute personally to patient care, a significant minority shell out resources for patients, reflecting financial strains within the health system. The study also revealed the varying motivations for volunteering, including community service, staff shortages, knowledge acquisition, and additional income.

CONCLUSION

External and internal factors affect the performance of BHWs at the local level. These were related to current health systems, political climate, personal household duties, and financial status. Despite facing these challenges, the BHWs showed commendable involvement in local health programs. BHWs remained motivated through training opportunities and positive community feedback but were hindered by a lack of health science knowledge and the need for supplementary income.

Human ; Local Government

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) as the causative agent of COVID-19 has significantly challenged the public health landscape in late 2019. After almost 3 years of the first ever SARS-CoV-2 case, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the end of this global health emergency in May 2023. Although, despite the subsequent drop of COVID-19 cases, the SARS-CoV-2 infection still exhibited multiple waves of infection, primarily attributed to the appearance of new variants. Five of these variants have been classified as Variants of Concern (VOC): Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and the most recent, Omicron. Therefore, the development of methods for the timely and accurate detection of viral variants remains fundamental, ensuring an ongoing and effective response to the disease. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of the application of an in-house approach in genomic surveillance for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 variants using in silico designed primers.

METHODS

The primers used for the study were particularly designed based on conserved regions of certain genes in the virus, targeting distinct mutations found in known variants of SARS-CoV-2. Viral RNA extracts from nasopharyngeal samples (n=14) were subjected to quantitative and qualitative tests (Nanodrop and AGE). Selected samples were then analyzed by RT-PCR and amplicons were submitted for sequencing. Sequence alignment analysis was carried out to identify the prevailing COVID-19 variant present in the sample population.

RESULTS

The study findings demonstrated that the in-house method was able to successfully amplify conserved sequences (spike, envelope, membrane, ORF1ab) and enabled identification of the circulating SARS-CoV-2 variant among the samples. Majority of the samples were identified as Omicron variant. Three out of four designed primers effectively bound into the conserved sequence of target genes present in the sample, revealing the specific SARSCoV-2 variant. The detected mutations characterized for Omicron found in the identified lineages included K417N, S477N, and P681H which were also identified as mutations of interest. Furthermore, identification of the B.1.448 lineage which was not classified in any known variant also provided the potential of the developed in-house method in detecting unknown variants of COVID-19.

CONCLUSION

Among the five VOCs, Omicron is the most prevalent and dominant variant. The in-house direct PCR product sequencing surveillance (DPPSS) method provided an alternative platform for SAR-CoV-2 variant analysis which is accessible and affordable than the conventional diagnostic surveillance methods and the whole genome sequencing. Further evaluation and improvements on the oligonucleotide primers may offer significant contribution to the development of a specific and direct PCRbased detection of new emerging COVID-19 variants.

Sars-cov-2 ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Dna Primers ; Oligonucleotide Primers ; Computer Simulation ; Conserved Sequence ; Coronavirus ; Covid-19 ; Disease ; Emergencies ; Evaluation Studies As Topic ; Genes ; Genome ; Global Health ; Health ; Identification (psychology) ; Infection ; Infections ; Membranes ; Methods ; Mutation ; Oligonucleotides ; Organizations ; Population ; Public Health ; Rna ; Rna, Viral ; Sars Virus ; Sequence Alignment ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; Syndrome ; Viruses ; Whole Genome Sequencing ; World Health Organization

BACKGROUND

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by inflammatory arthritis and extra-articular involvement. Comorbidities are highly prevalent in patients with RA, in particular cardiovascular disease (CVD), which is responsible for over 50% of premature deaths. This study aimed to describe cardiovascular diseases and their risk factors among patients with rheumatoid arthritis in the Philippine General Hospital (PGH).

OBJECTIVE

To describe cardiovascular (CV) diseases and their risk factors among patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

METHODS

A retrospective descriptive cross-sectional study was done in the University of the Philippines – Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) inpatient and outpatient services. The study included patients 18 years old and above diagnosed with RA and fulfills the 1987 American College of Rheumatology or 2010 American College of Rheumatology-European League Against Rheumatism (ACR/EULAR) classification criteria with no overlap features with other autoimmune connective tissue diseases and with complete records of the information required for the study from January 2019-December 2022. The primary outcomes of interest were the prevalence of CV diseases and CV risk factors. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data.

RESULTS

There were 123 patients in the study, 93.4% outpatients, and 95.1% females, with a mean age and disease duration of 51.3 and 9.8 years, respectively. Disease activity was moderate in 35% and high in 9.7%, based on disease activity score (DAS 28) or clinical disease activity index (CDAI) scores. Methotrexate (54%) was the most commonly used conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (csDMARD). Glucocorticoid use was observed in 51.2%. None of the patients were receiving a biologic DMARD. There were 24 (19.5%) patients with CV diseases, namely myocardial infarction, heart failure, and stroke. There were 87 (70%) patients with at least one CV risk factor and 62 (50.4%) with multiple risk factors. The risk factors identified were: dyslipidemia (43.1%), hypertension (40.7%), elevated body mass index (35.7%), and diabetes mellitus (15.4%). There were f ive deaths in the hospitalized patients (4%), one due to a myocardial infarction.

CONCLUSION

The majority (70%) in our cohort had at least one CV risk factor, 19.5% had an identified CV disease, and one died from a myocardial infarction. Dyslipidemia was the most common CV risk factor. The high proportion of patients with CV disease and CV risk factors highlights the need to add the screening and management of CV diseases and risk factors as a priority among patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Human ; Female ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Asian

INTRODUCTION

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) are both prevalent globally. The diagnosis and management of ACS in ESRD is difficult because the interplay of cardiovascular and renal disease is complicated. The guidelines for ACS may not be applicable to the ESRD population because the trials from which these are drawn mostly excluded ESRD patients.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the clinical profile and outcomes of CKD patients on dialysis admitted for ACS in the Philippine General Hospital (PGH).

METHODS

We did a retrospective cohort study and employed a retrospective review of electronic medical records among ESRD patients presenting with ACS in PGH from May 2021 to November 2023. The collected data was analyzed using univariate and bivariate statistics using PRISM software.

RESULTS

A total of 48 patients with ESRD were admitted for ACS in this study – 8 with STEMI and 40 with NSTEMI. The mean age was 61 years old and 33 (68.8%) were male. Among those with STEMI, six (75%) presented with Kilip II or more. While among those with NSTEMI, 17 (42.5%) had a GRACE score >140 and 27 (67.5%) had an NSTEMI TIMI risk score >2. On average, the patients were on hemodialysis for 31 months prior to admission. The most common comorbidities were hypertension (91.7%) and heart failure (83.3%). On admission, 18 (37.5%) presented with SBP >160, 7 (14.6%) patients presented with shock, and 4 (8.3%) patients presented with cardiac arrest. 38 (79.2%) patients had anemia on admission. 21 (43.8%) patients had left ventricular hypertrophy on electrocardiogram while 34 (70.8%) patients had cardiomegaly on chest radiography. The average left ventricular ejection fraction on echocardiogram was 46% and 27 (90%) patients had segmental wall motion abnormalities. The most common angiographic finding was 3-vessel coronary artery disease seen in 50% of patients. Almost all patients received dualantiplatelet therapy, high dose statin, and beta-blocker. The mortality rate was high at 43.8% with cardiovascular causes being the most common cause of death.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates the high mortality rate among patients with ESRD presenting with ACS. Our study portrays that patients with ESRD present with higher risk features including abnormalities in vital signs, laboratories, imaging, high prognostications score, and high in-hospital morbidity.

Human ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; End-stage Renal Disease ; Acute Coronary Syndrome ; Myocardial Infarction

OBJECTIVE

The study aimed to investigate the potential anti-angiogenic effects of acetone extracts from Annona squamosa leaves in vivo.

METHODS

Crude acetone extract of A. squamosa leaves was prepared via simple maceration. Physicochemical and phytochemical screening of the extract were also performed. The anti-angiogenic effect of A. squamosa was assessed using in vivo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay, with quantitative analysis performed using ImageJ software (U. S. National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA). The eggs were treated with 1000 ppm, 500 ppm, and 250 ppm doses of the extract. Quercetin was utilized as the positive control while distilled water was used as the negative control.

RESULTS

The results of the study showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, and phenolic compounds in the leaves of A. squamosa. CAM assay revealed a significant (PCONCLUSION

The acetone extract of A. squamosa leaves possesses anti-angiogenic properties in vivo, suggesting its potential for developing anti-angiogenic agents. Further research to identify and isolate the specific bioactive compounds responsible for this activity is recommended.

Plants ; Alkaloids ; Flavonoids ; Phytochemicals

Knee pain is a common clinical complaint with a broad differential diagnosis. In critically ill patients, acute monoarticular pain and swelling typically raise concern for septic arthritis. However, alternative etiologies such as crystal-induced arthritis, trauma, and hemarthrosis must also be considered.

This report presents a rare case of spontaneous hemarthrosis in a patient receiving prophylactic enoxaparin. Although uncommon, spontaneous hemarthrosis is a significant complication of anticoagulation therapy, particularly with low molecular weight heparins (LMWH) like enoxaparin.

Human ; Male ; Aged: 65-79 Yrs Old ; Hemarthrosis ; Covid-19 ; Enoxaparin

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

The burden of treatment delay in breast cancer is high, especially among developing countries. Despite adversely affecting morbidity and mortality, treatment delay remains unexplored in the Philippines. This study aimed to determine treatment delays among breast cancer patients in a tertiary hospital during surgery, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and adjuvant chemotherapy, and to identify predictors of delay.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted among breast cancer patients seen between January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2018. The following outcomes were investigated: ≥90 days from initial diagnosis to surgery, ≥8 weeks from diagnosis to initiation of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and >120 days from diagnosis to initiation of adjuvant chemotherapy. Summary statistics were reported as percent for categorical data and as mean for continuous data. The individual correlations were performed using Chi-square for qualitative data and t-test for quantitative data while predictors were determined through logistic regression.

RESULTS

A total of 324 patients were included in this study. The majority of the patients were less than 65 years old living in urban areas. More than half of the patients were overweight or obese, hypertensive, and diabetic. The following delays were observed: 61.1% (n = 198) with any type of delay, 23.8% (n = 53) with delay in surgery, 53.8% (n = 120) with delay in adjuvant chemotherapy, and 74.3% (n = 75) with delay in neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The patients noted to have any type of delay were more likely to be hypertensive (p = 0.046) and residing in urban areas (p = 0.041). There were no differences in the distribution of age, body mass index, and presence of co-morbid conditions such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and heart failure among those with any form of delay compared with no delay.

CONCLUSION

The present study shows the presence of treatment delay among breast cancer patients and may be used to enact policy changes to optimize breast cancer care delivery. Further studies may be done to identify other factors affecting these delays and policy changes are recommended to address these gaps in surgery and chemotherapy administration among breast cancer patients.

Breast Neoplasms ; Breast Cancer ; Quality Of Health Care ; Treatment Delay

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The demographic background, level of knowledge, and attitude of caregivers are pillars of care in dementia. Family and non-family members take on this role. Studies have been done on their knowledge and attitude, but none have focused on them during hospitalization, wherein greater stress is imposed on both the caregiver and the patient. This study aims to determine the profiles, and its association with knowledge, and attitudes of caregivers of hospitalized patients with dementia in a tertiary hospital in Metro Manila.

METHODS

A single-center descriptive cross-sectional design using Demographic profile Questionnaire, Alzheimer’s Disease Knowledge Scale (ADKS), and Dementia Attitude Scale (DAS) were used on Filipino caregivers of inpatients with dementia in Metro Manila. Simple and multivariable linear regression were used to assess demographic factors in relation to the attitude and knowledge of the caregivers.

RESULTS

Eighteen females with a mean age of 49 (SD=8) years old participated. Ten participants completed college. Six (33.3%) of the respondents were family members, five (27.8%) were occupational caregivers, four (22.2%) were house-helps, and two (11.1%) were nurses. Majority (66%) had 3-10-year duration of caregiving. Mean score of knowledge scale is 21.17 out of 30. Age, education, caregiver role, and attitude were positively associated with knowledge. The mean score for attitude level is 119.83 out of 140. Age, education, duration, caregiving role, patient’s age, and knowledge were positively associated with attitude; with education being statistically significant (p=0.046).

CONCLUSION

Caregivers exhibited reasonable knowledge for such caregivers to carry out their duties on inpatients with dementia at an adequate level, with several factors correlating positively, indicating areas for improvement. Their attitude scores revealed positive disposition; with education emerging as statistically significant. Continuing education and targeted interventions can further enhance quality of caregiving.

Dementia ; Caregiver Burden ; Attitude ; Knowledge ; Philippines

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Given the rigors of medical training with its high documented prevalence of mental issues as well as the global need to safeguard the well-being of medical students, there is an urgency to assess the well-being of medical students and their perception of support from their respective medical schools during their education. This also applies in the context of public medical school students in the Philippines, where there is still a relative lack of literature. This cross-sectional study investigates the well-being and such perceptions of medical students at the University of the Philippines College of Medicine (UPCM).

METHODS

The study uses a quantitative approach using a subset of secondary data from a college-wide survey online that was disseminated, through convenience sampling, to medical students from October 3, 2018 to December 3, 2018. A total of 432 responses were included in the analysis, out of the total student population of the included learning unit levels of 809. Participants were grouped based on their entry into medical school, either through the Integrated Liberal Arts and Medicine (INTARMED) program or lateral entry. Exclusion criteria comprised responses from Learning Unit I-II (pre-medical proper) students and incomplete survey sets. Responses were interpreted using established scales such as the World Health Organization Well-Being Index (WHO-5), Perceived Stress Scale-4 (PSS-4), and Oldenburg Burnout Inventory-Medical Student (OLBI-MS). Data analysis involved statistical techniques including one-way ANOVA and independent samples t-test using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS).

RESULTS

The findings suggest that medical students at UPCM generally find the administrative and academic systems satisfactory, but express concerns about inadequate educational resources and infrastructure, especially as they progress through their studies and engage more with clinical settings like the Philippine General Hospital (PGH). As students advance through the program, there are different patterns for wellbeing outcomes, including decreasing perceived stress and increasing burnout. In particular, LU IV and LU VII students reported lower well-being and higher burnout levels, respectively. This is potentially due to heavier workloads and clinical responsibilities. Lateral entrants, who are older and typically enter with prior degrees, tend to have higher well-being and lower burnout compared to INTARMED students, suggesting age and previous educational experience may play a role in adjustment and coping mechanisms.

CONCLUSION

Overall, the study highlights the medical students’ generally satisfactory perception of medical educational aspects, as well as the patterns of wellbeing throughout their medical college experience. Furthermore, it identifies different areas for improvement to ensure effective education and student mental health. By analyzing trends across different year levels, the study provides insights for interventions and program refinements, while also suggesting avenues for further research to assess student experiences over time.

Mental Health ; Students, Medical ; Philippines