OBJECTIVE: To establish a normal range of values for thyroid volume among adult Filipinos and to correlate thyroid dimensions with age, sex, weight, height, and urinary iodine.
METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study conducted at the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital. Out of 212 health personnel screened, 169 were included based on the following exclusion criteria: goiter stage Ib to III as defined by WHO, hyperthyroid or hypothyroid, hospitalization within the past month, chronic renal disease, chronic alcohol intake, more than 4 pack years of smoking, and abnormal laboratory profile. Laboratory parameters included FT3, FT4, TSH, creatinine, anti-thyroglobulin, anti-thyroid peroxidase, 24-hr urinary iodine , and thyroid ultrasonography. There were 55 males and 114 females with a mean age of 38.98 +/- 11.21 years old, mean weight of 59.84 +/- 11.91 kg.
RESULTS: The size of the right lobe ranged from 3.58-5.09 x 1.15-1.89 x 1.01-1.90 cm (LxWxD) while the left lobe ranged from 3.62-5.01 x 1.15-1.93 x 1.03-1.84, comparable with established values in literature. Using Hotelling's T-squared, male sex was associated with a larger thyroid dimension, (p-value <0.01) There was no statistically significant relationship between thyroid dimension and urinary iodide level. (Pillai's Trace p=0.88, Wilk's Lambda p=0.88, Hotteling's Trace p=0.88, Roy's Largest Root p=0.57). In general, thyroid dimensions were significantly correlated with the demographic variables using canonical correlation (0.5431, p=0.0232).
CONCLUSIONS: The normative thyroid dimensions established among Filipino adults were comparable with the accepted reference values. Thyroid dimensions were significantly correlated with weight, height, and sex but not with urinary iodide levels.

Thyroid Gland ; Body Weight ; Body Height ; Gender Identity ; Reference Values ; Cross-sectional Studies ; Iodine ; Urine ; Creatinine ; Ultrasonography

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to determine the relationship between the different factors associated with the severity of Fibroscan with CAP findings among patients with Type 2 diabetes and fatty liver.

METHODOLOGY: This is a cross-sectional study. Seven hundred four Fibroscan with Controlled Attenuation Parameter (CAP) results were electronically retrieved from a diagnostic center. Two hundred eighty-five charts of diabetic patients with fatty liver on ultrasound were reviewed. One hundred sixty-four patients with fatty liver on ultrasound and Fibroscan with CAP were included in the study. Several factors were analysed in relation to the severity of Fibroscan with CAP findings in the study group.

RESULTS: Fifty five point five percent (55.5%) (91/164) had significant fibrosis and cirrhosis. Hepatic steatosis prevalence was 96% (158/164). Diabetes >5 years (OR 1.75), HbA1c >7% (OR 2.25) and high SGPT levels (OR 2.39) were associated with liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. BMI >25 kg/m2 (OR 1.45), triglyceride levels >150 mg/dl (OR 1.31) and HbA1c >7% (OR 1.74) were associated with hepatic steatosis.

CONCLUSION: Factors associated with the severity of hepatic fibrosis, cirrhosis and steatosis included above normal BMI, disease duration of >5 years, poor glycemic control and elevated levels of ALT, and serum triglycerides.

Human ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2

Objectives: This study aimed to compare the severity of COVID-19, inflammatory parameters and clinical outcomes among patients with normal and subnormal levels of Vitamin D. Methodology: This is a retrospective cohort study of 135 patients admitted in a tertiary hospital for COVID-19. Patients were grouped according to their Vitamin D level. Primary outcome measure was the composite of all-cause mortality and morbidity. Other outcome measures determined were the comparison among the groups on the severity of COVID-19 infection, changes in inflammatory parameters, length of hospital stay and duration of respiratory support. Results: There was a significant trend of higher ICU admission (p=0.024), mortality (p=0.006) and poor clinical outcome (p=0.009) among the Vitamin D deficient group. No significant difference was found for most of the inflammatory parameters, duration of hospital stay and respiratory support. Overall, patients with deficient, but not insufficient Vitamin D level had 6 times higher odds of composite poor outcome than those with normal Vitamin D (crude OR=5.18, p=0.003; adjusted OR=6.3, p=0.043). Conclusion The inverse relationship between Vitamin D level and poor composite outcome observed in our study suggests that low Vitamin D may be a risk factor for poor prognosis among patients admitted for COVID-19.
Vitamin D ; Vitamin D Deficiency ; COVID-19

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common disorder associated with both maternal and fetal complications. Treatment for GDM requires lifestyle modification, as well as insulin and oral anti-diabetes medications to prevent unwarranted fetal and maternal outcomes. Objective: To determine the feto-maternal outcomes of GDM patients treated with either metformin-monotherapy, insulin- monotherapy, and with insulin plus metformin (combination) therapy in a private tertiary hospital in Metro Manila. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study involving 209 GDM patients admitted from January 2017 to December 2019. Census and chart reviews were done for demographic and clinical data. These were divided into 3 groups: metformin-monotherapy, insulin-monotherapy, and combination treated groups. Analysis of Variance was used to compare the average capillary blood glucose (CBG) levels of patients. Chi-square and Fisher’s Exact tests were used for nonparametric data. Results: Birthweight was significant across all groups: metformin-monotherapy group highest with large-for-gestational- age (LGA) at 25%, small-for-gestational-age (SGA) highest on the insulin-monotherapy group (11.3%) and appropriate-for- gestational-age (AGA) highest in the combination therapy group (84.6%). Age of gestation (AOG) at delivery (p=0.005), maternal CBG during labor (p=0.007), and chronic hypertension (p=0.001) were statistically significant across all groups. Multiple comparisons showed the following statistically significant results as well: chronic hypertension between metformin and combination group (p <0.01), AOG during delivery between metformin vs insulin group (p=0.004), maternal CBGs during labor between metformin vs insulin group (p=0.022), and insulin vs combination treatment group (p=0.029). Average maternal CBG levels were also showed statistically significant difference between the metformin vs insulin group (p=0.029). Conclusion Metformin may be used in controlling CBG levels in GDM patients. Although metformin may be comparable to insulin, more long-term studies need to be done to determine its long-term effects on neonates.
Diabetes, Gestational

Objective: The objective of this study is to measure the level of knowledge and practice of diabetic foot self-care and determine the factors that affect the level and knowledge and practice of diabetic foot self-care among diabetic patients. Methodology: Three hundred thirty adult diabetic patients at the outpatient clinics were given self-administered questionnaires on knowledge and practice of diabetic foot self-care. The scores were computed based on their answers. A score of >70% was gauged as good, 50 to 70% as satisfactory and <50% as poor. Results: Of the subjects, 82.7% had good foot care knowledge, 22.4% had good foot self-care practice, and 71% had satisfactory practice score. Patients who received diabetes education were twice as likely to have a good knowledge score (OR 2.41, 95% CI, 1.09 to 5.32; p=0.03). Compared to patients who received diabetes care in private clinics, those who attended the charity outpatient clinic were nearly three times as likely to have a good knowledge score (OR 2.8, 95% CI, 1.32 to 5.96; p=0.007). Patients with known diabetes for more than ten years and those with a family history of diabetes were 50% less likely to have good practice scores (OR 0.50, 95% CI, 0.28 to 0.90; p=0.021 and OR 0.49, 95% CI, 0.29 to 0.83; p=0.008, respectively). Conclusion The current state of foot care knowledge in Filipino diabetic respondents is good but the level of foot self-care practice is only satisfactory.
Diabetic Foot ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Knowledge ; Self Care

Introduction: Several studies have shown that diabetes mellitus increases the risk of having adverse events after CABG. This study was conducted to compare outcome of diabetic and non-diabetic patients after CABG and to test if diabetes mellitus is the strongest predictor of adverse outcomes. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study using charts review of CABG patients from January 2010 to December 2016. Odds ratio were computed to evaluate which risk factors have the strongest association with the occurrence of complications and mortality after CABG. Results: Our study population consists 107 non-diabetic (48%) and 114 diabetic (52%) patients. Diabetic patients have higher post-operative complications at 47% (54) than nondiabetics with 30.8% (33/107) (p-0.012). The most significant risk factor for complication occurrence was hypertension (p-0.015) (OR: 4.123). Every year added above 37 years old has a corresponding six percent increase in the odds of developing morbidity for both groups (p-0.001, OR: 1.06). Advanced age (p-0.000) (OR: 1.07), male gender (p-0.030) (OR: 3.10) and diabetes (p-0.043) (OR: 0.043) increase the risk of arrhythmia. The odds of developing pneumonia is higher among males (p-0.005) (OR:0.18) and smokers (p0.041)(OR: 3.50) in both groups. The odds of developing acute kidney injury was increased by 12% for every year added above 37 years old (p-0.035)(OR: 1.12).There is a two percent increase risk for developing acute kidney injury for mean post operative blood glucose above 110mg/dL (p0.030) (OR: 1,025). Discussion: Hypertension and age are significant predictors of morbidity in this study. Age related changes in cardiac physiology can be contributory. Male smokers have a higher risk of developing pneumonia in both groups pointing the significance of this risk factor. Elevated post-operative blood glucose must be addressed fully because of its association with acute kidney injury. Conclusion More complications are encountered among diabetic patients. However, diabetes mellitus is not the strongest predictor of mortality. Instead, age and hypertension showed higher association with adverse outcome.
Diabetes Mellitus

Objective: To determine the association between Dialysis Malnutrition Score (DMS), hypoglycemia and quality of life among patients with Diabetes on Maintenance Hemodialysis (MHD). Methodology: Ninety-two diabetic patients on maintenance hemodialysis were assessed using a standardized data collection tool, Dialysis Malnutrition Score, WHOQoL-BREF questionnaire, anthropometric measurements and hourly blood sugar monitoring during the dialysis session. Association among DMS, hypoglycemia and quality of life were assessed along with other associated variables. Results: Based on the DMS, 62% of patients were malnourished. Those with malnutrition were significantly older (p=0.0006) and female (p=0.013). Only 6.5% of the participants developed hypoglycemia during dialysis. Those with poor nourishment in the DMS showed a significant trend of decrease in the quality of life (physical (p<0.001), psychological (p<0.001) and social (p=0.004) and is associated with the occurrence of hypoglycemia (p<0.001). Conclusion Malnutrition is prevalent in diabetic patients on MHD using DMS. A higher DMS score is highly correlated with increased risk of hypoglycemia and decreased quality of life hence detection of malnutrition is important to prevent further nutritional depletion, hypoglycemia and poor patient outcomes by implementing preventive measures such as nutritional counselling and psychosocial interventions.
Malnutrition ; Hypoglycemia ; Quality of Life ; Dialysis