INTRODUCTION: Current international consensus confirms that certain histopathologic factors such as tumor morphology, histologic grade and presence of lymphovascular invasion are correlated with prognosis. This retrospective cohort study evaluated the correlation between histopathologic profile and time to disease progression (UP) within the first 1-2 years follow-up of Filipino Stage I-Ill early breast cancer patients.
METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study which included breast cancer patients enrolled in the Department of Health¬Breast Cancer Medicine Access Program (DOH-BCMAP) at the medical oncology clinics of two tertiary hospitals in Manila. Clinical and histopathologic factors were gathered from patient records, and the patients were grouped according to the modified St. Gallen definition of risk categories for patients with breast cancer. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis determined the average UP as well as progression-free survival (PFS). Multivariate logistic regression determined factors contributing to disease progression.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Of the 326 patients enrolled in this study, 18% showed progression, with a median HP of 14 months. UP was comparable among the low-, intermediate- and high-risk groups. PFS during the 1st 1-2 years follow-up was estimated to be at 78% for the high-risk group, 83% for the intermediate-risk group, and 86% for the low-risk group. During this 1st 1-2 years follow-up, no studied factors of interest were shown to be significantly correlated with outcome among this predominantly intermediate to high risk for recurrence breast cancer patients. Follow-up of this patients up to 5 or more years would define sustained gains from the DOH-BCMAP.

Human ; Male ; Female ; Breast ; Breast Neoplasms ; Consensus ; Neoplasms ; Prognosis ; Medical Oncology

INTRODUCTIONThis study aimed to describe and compare corneal graft survival and optical outcomes following deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) and Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) with penetrating keratoplasty (PK), and to document tectonic success of patch grafts.

MATERIALS AND METHODSThis was a retrospective, non-randomised, comparative and descriptive cohort study. A total of 139 eyes that underwent primary keratoplasty between 2000 and 2016 were included, and the following data was extracted: demographics, clinical diagnosis and primary indication, pre- and intraoperative risk factors, postkeratoplasty outcomes, and complications. Optical success was defined as good graft clarity and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 6/12 or better. Graft failure was defined as irreversible corneal oedema and loss of clarity. Tectonic success in patch grafts was defined as tectonic integrity with no repeat tectonic surgical procedure required in the postoperative period.

RESULTSThe mean follow-up duration was 3.24 ± 3.47 years in the PK group (n = 16), 1.89 ± 0.86 years in the DALK group (n = 37), 2.36 ± 1.24 years in the DSAEK group (n = 53), and 2.17 ± 1.09 years in the patch graft group (n = 33). The 3-year probabilties of survival for PK, DALK, DSAEK and patch graft were 60.9%, 94.1%, 89.9%, and 67.1%, respectively. The overall percentage of complications was significantly higher for PK (81.3%), compared to DALK (48.6%), DSAEK (49.1%), and patch graft (21.2%). In the PK and DALK groups, 100% achieved DSAEK (49.1%), and patch graft (21.2%). In the PK and DALK groups, 100% achieved BCVA of 6/12 or better, while in the DSAEK group, 96.43% achieved BCVA of 6/12 or better.

CONCLUSIONFrom a similar study cohort of Asian eyes, graft survival was superior and complications were reduced for DALK and DSAEK compared to PK, but optical outcomes were comparable. Graft survival for patch graft was expectedly lower, but the incidence of complications was low.

Corneal Diseases ; surgery ; Corneal Transplantation ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Graft Survival ; Humans ; Male ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; Registries ; Retrospective Studies ; Singapore ; Tertiary Care Centers

Objective: This study aims to determine the clinical profile and course on follow-up of newborns delivered to a SARS-CoV-2 positive mother from two private tertiary hospitals. Methodology: This is a retrospective, cross-sectional study. A chart review of all neonates delivered to SARS-CoV-2 positive mothers was conducted. Subsequent interview was done to determine their clinical course and neurologic status at 3-, 6-, 9-, 12-, and 15-month-old. Data collected was presented as frequencies, percentages, or proportions. Results: Out of the 67 newborns born to SARS-CoV-2 positive mothers, three neonates tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. All three were delivered to mothers with mild symptoms, were full term, with good APGAR score and appropriate for gestational age. One was eventually intubated and managed as COVID-19 confirmed critical. Among the SARS-CoV-2 negative newborns, majority had an unremarkable neonatal outcome. Thirty-six neonates were available for follow-up: 1 expired due to aspiration pneumonia at 2 months of age, 4 were readmitted for pneumonia, UTI, acute gastroenteritis, and cow’s milk allergy. Twenty-one had infection at one point prior to this study follow-up but were all mild not requiring admission. Two had abnormal head size, while 2 had developmental delay, these 4 infants with neurological findings on follow-up were all RT-PCR negative at birth. Conclusion Maternal COVID-19 infection does not necessarily result to a neonatal infection. For those neonate swith mild symptoms, SARS-CoV-2 causality could not be established. On follow-up, there were a few who developed significant problems that have long-term implications in the overall growth and development of the child.
SARS-CoV-2

Mullerian duct anomalies (MDAs) are congenital defects of the female genital system that arise from abnormal embryological development of the Mullerian ducts. A didelphys uterus, also known as a "double uterus," is one of the least common amongst the MDAs. Reported here is a case of a 16 year old female with a uterus didelphys with the obstructed left hemiuteri adherent in the anterior abdominal wall, and an endometriotic cyst on the same side. She underwent hysteroscopy-guided vaginoscopy, laparoscopic left hemihysterectomy, left oophorocystectomy. Cases such as these require careful preoperative planning and diagnostic imaging for more accurate diagnosis and, hence, for the most appropriate surgical procedure to be carried out. 3D ultrasonography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging have been the most widely used imaging techniques. The goals of management are to relieve the symptoms of obstruction and to restore the normal anatomy as much as possible in order to provide the best chance for future fertility.
Uterine Didelphys

In the last two decades gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), initially thought to be a disease only common  in the West, is described  increasingly in Asia, including the Philippines. A recent local report indicated that the prevalence of erosive esophagitis (EE), a common complication of GERD, has more than doubled, i.e., 2.9% to  6.3%,  between the two time periods of 1994-1997 and 2000-2003, respectively. GERD causes recurrent annoying symptoms which are common  reasons  for  clinic  visits  and consultations thus, it is the objective of these guidelines to provide both primary care physicians  (PCPs) and specialists a current, evidence-based, country-specific recommendations for the optimal management  of  GERD.  These  guidelines  are  intended   to   empower   PCPs   to   make   a   clinic-based diagnosis of GERD, to start an empiric acid-suppressive therapy in the appropriate patient,and direct them to select which GERD patient may need to undergo investigations to ascertain further the diagnosis of GERD or to assess outcomes of therapy. We acknowledge that studies published in the future may influence the impact on our confidence on the recommendations enumerated in  these guidelines thus, we commit to update this document when it is deemed appropriate.

Physicians, Primary Care ; Prevalence ; Specialization ; Gastroesophageal Reflux ; Ambulatory Care ; Esophagitis ;

INTRODUCTION: Chest physiotherapy (CPT) may benefit children aged below five years who suffer from lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI). However, its effects depend on the technique used. This study aimed to determine whether mechanical CPT using the LEGA-Kid® mechanical percussion device is superior to manual CPT in children with LRTI. METHODS: Children aged five months to five years who were admitted and referred for CPT from January to April 2017 were randomised to either manual CPT or mechanical CPT with LEGA-Kid. Outcomes measured before intervention and two hours after intervention were respiratory rate (RR), oxygen saturation and modified Respiratory Distress Assessment Instrument (mRDAI) score. RESULTS: All 30 enrolled patients showed significant reduction in post-intervention RR and mRDAI scores. There was an 8% reduction in RR for the manual CPT group (p = 0.002) and a 16.5% reduction in the mechanical CPT group (p = 0.0001), with a significantly greater reduction in the latter (p = 0.024). mRDAI scores decreased by 2.96 in the manual group (p = 0.0001) and 3.62 in the mechanical group (p = 0.002), with no significant difference between the groups. There was no significant improvement in oxygen saturation, and no adverse events were observed after CPT. CONCLUSION Children receiving both manual and mechanical CPT showed improvements in respiratory distress symptoms, with no adverse effects. A combined strategy of nebulised hypertonic saline followed by CPT for LRTI removes airway secretions and results in improvements in moderately severe respiratory distress. The LEGA-Kid mechanical CPT method is superior to manual CPT in reducing the RR.
Child ; Humans ; Percussion/methods* ; Physical Therapy Modalities ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome ; Respiratory Therapy/methods* ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; Single-Blind Method

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic continues to afflict nations worldwide. The Philippines is no exception which has recorded more than 3 million cases as of December 2021 with children comprising 12% of total cases. Since the start of the pandemic, the Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines (PIDSP) has been collecting data nationwide, through an online pediatric COVID-19 registry (SALVACION registry), to provide a better understanding of COVID-19 in children in the local setting. Methods: This was an ambispective cohort study of pediatric COVID-19 cases in the Philippines reported from March 2020 to December 2021. Data on clinical features, laboratory findings, disease severity, and treatment outcomes were voluntarily reported by physicians across the country. This study was approved by the Department of Health Single Joint Research Ethics Board. Results: As of December 30, 2021, there were 2,127 cases reported in the registry, with a median age of 5 years (interquartile range: 1-13 years) and mostly mild (41.9%) or moderate (24.5%) in severity. The top symptoms reported were fever (57.9%), cough (42.7%), coryza/colds (29.4%), anorexia (25.2%), and difficulty of breathing (23.1%). The most common comorbidities were hematologic-oncologic diseases (7.4%), neurologic diseases (7.0%) and surgical conditions (4.4%), while the most common coinfections were sepsis (6.3%), dengue fever (4.8%) and healthcare-associated pneumonia (2.1%). Significantly higher median CRP, procalcitonin, D-dimer, ferritin, transaminases and lactate dehydrogenase were seen among severe/critical cases compared to non-severe cases. There was a high frequency of antibiotic use (58%). Most cases recovered, although 172 deaths were reported with an 8.6% case fatality rate. The most common comorbidities in those who died were neurologic (15.7%), cardiac (12.8%) and hematologic (11.6%) diseases. Conclusion Children across all age groups are susceptible to COVID-19 and most cases are mild or moderate in severity. Among severe and critical cases, the most common comorbidities were neurologic, hematologic-oncologic and cardiac diseases. Most patients recovered with supportive management.
COVID-19 ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Child ; Registries ; Philippines

Objective: This study aims to establish baseline information on the practice of minimally invasive gynecologic surgery (MIGS) among Filipino gynecologic endoscopists amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: MATERIALS AND METHODS: An online survey was conducted among Fellows of the Philippine Society for Gynecologic Endoscopy (PSGE) practicing in private and government hospitals in the Philippines after informed consent. The survey had five subsections: (1) demographic data, (2) impact of COVID-19 pandemic on MIGS practice, (3) changes of practice during the COVID-19 pandemic, and (4) changes in the conduct of surgery and postoperative care. Results: A total of 119 out of 144 PSGE Fellows based in the Philippines participated in the survey, 83% were Fellows in both laparoscopy and hysteroscopy. The majority had more than 15 years of practice and were practicing in the National Capital Region. Surgeries were canceled initially but have since resumed. The majority were hysteroscopy cases, the most common being polypectomy. Majority of the respondents reduced their clinic hours and appointments. Most have used telemedicine for consultations. Use of face masks, face shields, and personal protective equipment (PPE) were the top precautions taken in the clinics. Screening and precautions per guidelines inside the operating room setting were observed. Modifications during surgery include the use of smoke evacuators, minimizing energy device use, and wearing enhanced PPE. Conclusion The volume of laparoscopy and hysteroscopy cases was greatly reduced during the pandemic. The pandemic has disrupted the practice of MIGS both in the outpatient clinics and the operating rooms. Most of the changes made are congruent to local and international automotive task force guidelines. Precautionary measures and screening procedures must remain in place to reduce the risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 transmission to patients and health-care workers.
COVID-19 ; Personal Protective Equipment ; Telemedicine