Human ; Philippines ; Patients ; Vaccines ; Covid‐19

Human ; Therapeutics ; Patients ; Diet

OBJECTIVE: This study described bronchiectasis profiles at the Philippine Children’s Medical Center (2021-2023). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective chart review at PCMC analyzed the demographic profile, imaging, management and outcome of patients with bronchiectasis enrolled in the Chronic Lung Disease Program from 2021-2023. Results: Twenty seven patients were included in this study. Most patients were diagnosed after the age of six and showed female predominance. The most common symptom at the time of diagnosis was chronic cough (81.5%) with pulmonary tuberculosis (51.9%) as the most common etiology. All patients were treated with cyclic azithromycin. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the prevalent microorganism isolated in the sputum and tracheal aspirate samples of the patients (56.5%). Conclusion Patients with bronchiectasis were more commonly diagnosed in children past age of six with more prevalence in females. The most common symptom was chronic cough followed by fever, dyspnea and weight loss. Pulmonary tuberculosis and recurrent respiratory infections were noted to be the most common etiology with the left lower lobe most affected in HRCT. The most common phenotype seen was cystic, which is irreversible and a sign of progressive bronchiectasis, which may point to a late diagnosis. This emphasizes the need for physicians to have a high index of suspicion in patients with chronic or recurrent respiratory symptoms. All patients were treated with an oral macrolide with 25-31% of patients with decreased and/or absent symptoms. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the prevalent microorganism isolated in the sputum and tracheal aspirate samples of the patients, which should be taken into account when treating for exacerbation.
Human ; Male,Female ; Infant newborn: First 28 days after birth ; Infant: 1-23 months ; Child Preschool: 2-5 yrs old ; Child: 6-12 yrs old ; Bronchiectasis ; Patients ; Tuberculosis ; Infections

Introduction: Spirituality was defined as a way individual seek and express meaning and purpose and the way they experience their connectedness to the moment. Studies showed that spiritual beliefs provided comfort to cancer patients and that different dimensions were related with the different aspects of health. Objectives: The aim of the study is to determine the correlation on effects of spirituality and the quality of life among patients enrolled in the outpatient chemotherapy clinic. Methodology: An analytical cross-sectional study using a non-probability convenience sampling was done of which validated questionnaires on the Spirituality and Quality of Life were the research instruments of the study. The Pearson’s correlation coefficient/Spearman rho computed on the relationship between the dimensions of spirituality and subscales of the quality of life among cancer patients. Chi Square/Fisher’s test was used to determine the correlation among the types and stages of cancer with the quality of life and spirituality of the respondents. Results: A total of 105 cancer patients participated in this study, with ages ranging from 21 to 76 years and a mean age of 51 +/- 11 years, 2/5 were married females and 4/5 were Roman Catholic. Fifty-six percent of the cancer patients have Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (Breast Cancer). Most of the respondents are at stages 2 and 3 with equal percentages of 41%. This study revealed that most of the cancer patients enrolled in the outpatient chemotherapy clinic had a mean score of 3.56 + 0.35 indicating moderate to high level of spirituality. It also showed a mean score of 5.41 +.53 indicating high QOLs. Dimensions of spirituality which were found to have significant association with QOL domains (p < 0.05) were Mindfulness and Feeling of Security which were both found to have positive correlation with Emotional Wellbeing and Social Status. Conclusion Spiritual care should be included as one of the non-pharmacological modalities in the comprehensive management and palliative care for the Filipino cancer patients in order to improve the over-all well-being, healthcare outcomes and quality of life of patients and their families.
Neoplasms ; Patients ; Quality of Life

Humans ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Constipation/therapy* ; Probiotics/therapeutic use* ; Patients

Humans ; Lupus Vasculitis, Central Nervous System/pathology* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods* ; Diffusion Tensor Imaging/methods* ; Patients ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/pathology* ; Brain/pathology*

OBJECTIVES: Many studies have shown that the quality of life for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) is significantly impaired, but the impact on family function is still unclear. This study aims to evaluate the family function and quality of life in patients with AF using scales, to analyze the correlation between family function and quality of life, and to predict the influencing factors of quality of life. METHODS: A total of 223 patients with AF who were admitted to the Department of Cardiology and General Medicine of the Lanzhou University Second Hospital from January 1, 2021 to May 1, 2022, were selected as research subjects, the general information of patients with AF were collected via a questionnaire, the family function and quality of life were assessed by the Family Assessment Device (FAD) and Atrial Fibrillation Effect on Quality-of-Life (AFEQT) scale. The patients were divided into a non-family functional disorder group and a family functional disorder group on the basis of their FAD scores. The above data were analyzed using SPSS 26.0 statistical software. RESULTS: Among the 223 patients, 64 (28.70%) were in the non-family functional disorder group, and 159 (71.30%) were in the family functional disorder group. The total score of FAD and scores of all dimensions in the family functional disorder group were higher than those in the non-family functional disorder group (all P<0.01). AFEQT total score and symptoms, treatment concerns and daily activities in the non-family functional disorder group were significantly higher than those in the family functional disorder group (all P<0.01). The Pearson linear analysis showed that there was a linear negative correlation between the total score and each dimension of FAD with the total score and each dimension of AFEQT (all P<0.01). The variables with statistical significance in the univariate analysis were included in the multiple linear regression analysis, and the result showed that female, and the problem solving, role, affective involvement, and general functioning dimensions of family function had an impact on the quality of life (all P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS Most patients with AF have different degrees of family dysfunction. The quality of life in patients with family functional disorder group is generally low. Female, and the problem solving, role, affective involvement, and general functioning of family function have a significant impact on the quality of life in patients with AF. In clinical treatment of AF, attention should be paid to the family function of patients, and family members can be involved in clinical intervention to improve family function and improve the quality of life.
Humans ; Female ; Atrial Fibrillation ; Quality of Life ; Patients ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Background: Health related internet usage is common among patients globally. The literature review showed no local study regarding health- related internet usage in the Philippines hence investigation of internet use for medical information in the outpatient department was done Objective: To describe the health-related internet usage; its prevalence, reasons & experience on use, perceived effects and sources of medical information in the Outpatient Department of a tertiary Hospital. Method: A single center, observational, sectional study utilizing a modified 33-item self- administered questionnaire about Health-related Internet usage of patients consulting at the service outpatient department of De La Salle University Medical Center, Dasmariñas City, Cavite, Philippines fromSeptember-October 2020. 381 eligible participants were included in the study based on the computed sample size. The data were reported as frequencies and percentage distribution. Results: Majority of the participants belongs to the 26-35 years old group (32.02%) and most were Females (69%). Most used the Internet in general (88%) and Health-related internet usage was high among these users (78.42%). Despite the high internet usage, majority stated that the primary source of medical information was Doctors (76.25%). Commercial websites such as (Google & Yahoo) were the most commonly used during health- related searches (40.49%) and most searches were about their medical condition (36.22%). Most of the participants stated that sometimes they trust information from the internet (58.63%) and find it useful (68%). Forty five percent stated that medical information obtained from the internet were applied without consulting a doctor and subsequently, many does not disclose this information during medical consultation with a doctor (64%). Participants stated that their primary reason for Health-related internet use was personal knowledge about medical condition (57%). Also, most of the participants believed that Health-related searches do not have an effect on their medical condition (62%) and relationship with their doctor (61%). Conclusion The study clearly indicated that Health- related Internet Usage was a common practice in the outpatient department. Although, majority of the patients stated that their Doctors were the primary source of medical information, many individuals still do not divulge medical information obtained from the internet hence physicians should regularly inquire regarding health-related internet usage and educate regarding erroneous online medical information to correct misperception that may affect their health. Lastly, due to the overwhelming use of the internet among patients, health institutions and practitioners may develop mobile friendly applications to render sufficient medical service and provide holistic care to patients especially in this time of pandemic.
Outpatients ; Patients

Humans ; Hepatopulmonary Syndrome/surgery* ; Liver Transplantation/adverse effects* ; Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation/adverse effects* ; Postoperative Complications ; Patients

Humans ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee/adverse effects* ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/surgery* ; Risk Factors ; Patients ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip/adverse effects*