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

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

Objective: This study aimed to demonstrate the benefits of using SaTScan (Boston, MA, USA), a cluster-detection software programme, and whole genome sequencing to investigate a suspected outbreak of Serratia marcescens infections in a tertiary government hospital in the southern Philippines. The hospital is part of the national Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Program’s network of sentinel sites. Methods: The investigation followed national outbreak investigation protocols. In May 2022, when evaluation of daily hospital laboratory census data revealed an increase in the number of Serratia species in the hospital, an alert was triggered. A concurrent, routine SaTScan analysis of the hospital’s surveillance data by the Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Reference Laboratory confirmed a cluster of cases. The Reference Laboratory requested isolates from clinical specimens from the hospital for confirmation of bacterial identification, antimicrobial susceptibility testing and whole genome sequencing. Results: Six isolates were submitted for genomic analysis, two of which were from the identified cluster. Although originally identified as S. marcescens, five of the isolates were subsequently confirmed as S. sarumanii. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the two isolates from the cluster were closely related and belonged to the same clade, which may suggest a common source. Three antimicrobial resistance genes were identified, but their phenotypic expression was limited, with one isolate exhibiting resistance mechanisms. Discussion: This study highlighted the utility of SaTScan for the early detection of potential disease outbreaks. The use of whole genome sequencing enhanced the investigation by enabling the analysis of potential transmission pathways at the genetic level, identification of the outbreak source and the detection of novel species.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Technological advancements are reshaping healthcare, particularly through mobile health (mHealth) applications that aid chronic disease management. Medication tracking apps, such as Simpill, have shown potential in improving outcomes for conditions like hypertension. However, disparities in digital literacy and concerns related to technology acceptance and privacy may hinder effective use. Grounded in the principles of the Design Thinking approach, this study sought to evaluate the relationship between health-seeking behavior (HSB), perceived barriers (PB), and the perceived usability (PU) of Simpill among middle-aged hypertensive adults. The research aimed to capture not only measurable associations but also to inform future app development through a user-centered lens that prioritizes empathy and real-world usability.

METHODS

A quantitative, descriptive-correlational research design was employed to assess respondents’ HSB, PB, and PU related to Simpill. The study was guided by core phases of the Design Thinking framework, particularly empathize and define, to ensure a deep understanding of user needs and usability constraints. Data were collected using a four-part, researcher-modified questionnaire administered to 138 purposively selected middle-aged adults (30–59 years old) residing in Barangay Industrial Valley, Zone 6, Marikina City, Philippines. All participants had a confirmed diagnosis of hypertension. Correlational analyses, including Kendall’s Tau B, were conducted to examine relationships among the variables. The integration of Design Thinking informed the development and interpretation of questionnaire items, aligning them with real-world challenges experienced by the target users.

RESULTS

The study investigated the relationship between HSB, PB, and the PU of Simpill among 138 middle-aged hypertensive individuals. Most respondents were female (55.8%), aged 50–59 (47.8%), and employed in non health-related sectors (95.7%). HSB levels were gene rally high (mean = 3.23), particularly in actively seeking health information, while lower engagement was noted in routine vital sign monitoring. PB were moderate (mean = 2.06), with unfamiliarity with the application cited as a common issue. PU was also rated as moderate (mean = 2.80), although ease of use received a low score (mean = 1.99). A weak positive correlation was found between HSB and PU (Kendall’s Tau B = 0.123, p = 0.049), while a moderate negative correlation existed between PB and PU (Tau B = -0.402, p < 0.001). These findings reflect insights derived from the Design Thinking "empathize" phase, suggesting that while proactive health behaviors may modestly support app engagement, unresolved user pain points—such as poor usability and lack of familiarity—remain significant obstacles to adoption. The results underscore the importance of moving to the "ideate" and "prototype" phases, where such user insights can directly shape the redesign and improvement of mHealth tools.

CONCLUSION

The study identified a high level of health- seeking behavior, reflecting the respondents’ engagement with their health and openness to guidance, consistent with the user-empathy foundation of Design Thinking. Moderate perceived barriers highlight existing challenges in technology adaptation, particularly among those who prefer traditional methods. The moderate PU rating of Simpill, especially in terms of ease of use, suggests the app’s current design does not fully align with user capabilities or expectations. In line with Design Thinking principles, particularly user-centered innovation, the findings emphasize the need to involve users in iterative co-design processes to improve mHealth solutions. Addressing perceived barriers through enhanced digital literacy, usability testing, and interface refinement could substantially boost app acceptance and effectiveness in real-world settings.

Human ; Hypertension ; Mobile Applications ; Health Behavior ; User-centered Design

The surface electrocardiogram (ECG) can provide many clues to a patient’s underlying medical condition or tendency for arrhythmogenesis. An 80-year-old man with severe aortic stenosis and an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) for advanced heart block presented with burping, chest discomfort and intermittent pounding sensations. His ECG showed atrial fibrillation with intermittent ventricular pacing at 60 bpm characterized by irregularly irregular rhythm, absent P waves, narrow intrinsic QRS complexes alternating with wide-paced beats (left bundle branch block [LBBB] morphology, superior axis) and visible pacing spikes. Device interrogation revealed ventricular tachycardia (VT) storm with multiple appropriate ICD shocks explaining his pounding sensations. This report highlights two key teaching points: recognizing atrial fibrillation during ventricular pacing—a frequently missed diagnosis affecting nearly half of patients with pacemakers—and managing VT storm to reduce shock burden. After device reprogramming and antiarrhythmic adjustment, the patient became asymptomatic.

Human ; Male ; Aged: 65-79 Yrs Old ; Thorax ; Teaching ; Tachycardia, Ventricular ; Electrocardiography ; Atrial Fibrillation ; Bundle-branch Block ; Constriction, Pathologic

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystemic autoimmune disease of clinical importance in the Philippines. While its actual prevalence in the Philippines is unknown due to a lack of organized cohorts and community-level screening, Filipino females in the second and third decades of life are primarily affected, commonly presenting with mucocutaneous, musculoskeletal, hematologic, and renal involvements. Several risk factors have been described as influencing the development of SLE in Filipinos, including molecular/genetic, clinical, lifestyle, and environmental factors. The diagnosis of SLE in the Philippines still relies on international standards, such as the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics 2012 and the European League Against Rheumatism/American College of Rheumatology 2019 classification criteria. Similarly, the lack of published local guidelines for SLE requires Filipino practitioners to rely on international management guidelines, which now include the Asia-Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology recommendations for the Asia-Pacific region, with management goals including the achievement of a low disease activity state, the prevention of organ damage, the prevention of flares, and the promotion of quality of life. Structural barriers still impede comprehensive lupus care in the country, manifesting as poor access to essential drugs and rheumatologists, low capacity for community-level surveillance, lacking research and guidelines in Philippine-specific nuances (i.e., common presentations and comorbidities such as tuberculosis), and education. The medical community in the country must be mobilized to ensure holistic care for SLE patients, as it is one of the most important rheumatologic conditions in the Philippines.

Objectives: PEERS® for Preschoolers (P4P) is an evidence-based, parent-assisted social skills program for young autistic children and children with other social challenges. The program aims to promote age-appropriate social skills and improve peer relationships. Parent employment status and cultural background may influence families’ engagement in the program and their relationship with providers, which can affect use of P4P skills outside weekly sessions. This study examined whether these parent demographic characteristics predicted program response in P4P. Methods: Participants were 46 autistic children (mean age=4.50 years; 78.3% male) and their caregivers who completed P4P between 2015 and 2019. Families took part in a 16-week curriculum with parallel child and parent groups. Program outcomes were measured using parent-report instruments, including the Social Responsiveness Scale–Second Edition, Social Skills Improvement System subscales of Social Skills and Problem Behaviors, Quality of Play Questionnaire, and Parenting Stress Index, Fourth Edition, Short-Form. Results: Significant improvements were found in child social responsiveness, social skills, behavior problems, number of playdates, and parenting stress from pre- to post-P4P. Parent employment status and race/ethnicity did not significantly predict any program outcomes. Conclusion Results indicate that P4P benefits families broadly, with no observed effect of parent employment status or race/ethnicity on outcomes. Future research should replicate these findings in a larger, more diverse sample and examine additional potential predictors of program response to inform clinical decision-making.

Background: Problems related to sleep affect approximately 23-56% of the world’s population. In Mongolia, the prevalence of non-organic sleep disorders is estimated at 27.9%, among which 42.2% of the population have poor sleep quality. Long-term insomnia can have a negative impact on an individual’s normal work and life, increasing the risk of various health problems. Severe insomnia can reduce work efficiency and concentration, thereby causing serious harm. Traditional medicine has a long history of treating insomnia. However, there are currently no systematic studies on insomnia based on ancient traditional medical books. Goal: Based on the ancient medical literature of traditional medicine, identify the underlying diseases that cause insomnia and compare their symptoms. Materials and Methods: We adopted the checklist method to list the relevant information of insomnia from the literature, providing a prerequisite for further analysis and the issue of syndrome differentiation of insomnia was analyzed by using comparison methods.
The research protocol was reviewed and approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences at its meeting on June 24, 2025 (No. 04), and ethical clearance was granted for the conduct of this study. Results: The research materials we selected did not describe insomnia as a dedicated chapter, but mentioned the content related to insomnia in the form of disease symptoms, such as terms like ”sleeplessness”, ”reduced sleep” and ”light sleep”. We explore the underlying diseases of insomnia based on the above symptoms related to insomnia and analyze the syndrome differentiation of insomnia. Exploring the underlying disease of insomnia:
1. Insomnia caused by diseases resulting from Wind include Wind delirium, palpitations, bone marrow Wind, heart Wind, lung Wind, Wind-induced diabetes, Wind tsbs.
2. Insomnia caused by diseases resulting from Bile include heat Bile, heart Bile, liver sdembu, deficiency heat, Invisible heat and epidemic heat.
3. Other diseases include mugpo spreads to the heart, heart chuser, trichomoniasis and childhood evil spirit disease.
We also compared the symptoms of the underlying diseases that cause insomnia and listed their similarities and differences. Conclusion The underlying etiologies of insomnia were categorized into Wind, Bile, Mugpo, yellow fluid, parasitic and evil spirit disorders. Accordingly, effective management of insomnia requires differentiation based on the primary disease and an individualized treatment approach that integrates both etiological and symptomatic therapies.

Background: Recurrent inversion injuries are a major contributor to chronic ankle instability (CAI), resulting in long-term functional limitations, reduced physical activity, and diminished quality of life. While both arthroscopic and open surgical techniques are routinely employed worldwide, their outcomes remain unstudied in Mongolia. This study aimed to describe the national epidemiology of ankle ligament injuries and provide foundational data to inform future clinical and surgical research. Aim: To determine the prevalence, patterns, and associated demographic and environmental factors of ankle ligament injuries recorded in Mongolia between 2014 and 2023, and to conduct an epidemiological analysis. Materials and Methods: We performed a cross sectional, single-center epidemiological analysis using anonymized secondary data from the National Trauma and Orthopedic Research Center (NTORC), Mongolia’s national tertiary referral hospital. Patient records from January 2, 2014, to December 28, 2023, were extracted from the E-Health national database and coded using ICD-10. Eligible cases included malleolar fractures, ligament sprains, dislocations, nerve injuries, and other lower limb traumas. Data on age, sex, residence, admission date, length of stay, and injury mechanism were categorized into 167 specific etiologies and 14 major groups. Result: Falls were the predominant injury mechanism (71.1%), particularly among females (83.3%) and urban residents (76.4%). A seasonal peak occurred in winter, with 8.1% of injuries linked to ice- and snow-related falls. Rural males had a higher proportion of transport-related injuries, notably involving motorcycles. The anterior talofibular ligament (ATaFL) was the most frequently affected structure. Individuals aged 15–44 years represented the largest proportion of ligament injury cases. Conclusion Between 2014 and 2023, 4,757 ankle ligament injuries were recorded in Mongolia. Males accounted for 57.7% of cases, with the highest incidence observed in individuals aged 15–44 years (68.8%). Seventy-five percent of injuries occurred in Ulaanbaatar. Falls were the leading mechanism (>70%), particularly during winter, followed by road traffic accidents. Emergency department visits increased over time, while hospitalization rates remained low and stable.

Background: Identifying pathogenic variants in the F8, F9 gene in patients with hemophilia A (HA) and Hemophilia B (HB) is crucial for improving genetic counseling, understanding genotype–phenotype correlations, assessing inhibitor risk, and establishing family-specific mutation profiles. Aim: To detect mutations in the F8 and F9 genes among people with hemophilia A and B diagnosed in Mongolia. Materials and Methods: Long-distance PCR were used to detect intron-22 and intron-1 inversions. Sanger sequencing identified nucleotide substitutions, deletion, and insertion in F8 and F9 gene. Result: Thirty-two male patients with HA (30 severe, one moderate, and one mild) from 27 unrelated families, eight patients with Hemophilia B were analyzed. Among 25 families with severe HA, pathogenic variants were found in 24 families (95.6%). Large structural rearrangements were detected in 22 patients from 19 families, including intron-22 inversion in 16 cases of 14 families, intron-1 inversion in four cases from three families, and two large deletions found in two unrelated families. In one severe case, no pathogenic variant was identified in the entire F8 gene. Small scale changes were identified in the remaining patients, including missense in three families and two frameshift variants, all associated with severe phenotype. We found novel c.2240del variant and classified as pathogenic. A known polymorphism (c.3864A>C) was identified in one patient with moderate HA, while a novel intronic deletion (c.1010-106delA) was detected in a patient with mild disease. Two families had a history of HB. A total of five different variants (c.223C>T; c.344A>G; c.464G>C; c.187_188del; and c.1314_1314delA) were identified in six patients with severe HB. Of these, two (c.187_188del and c.1314_1314delA) were novel. No variant in the entire F9 was found in two patients with mild HB. Nonsense c.223C>T (p.Arg75*) mutation was detected in two unrelated patients. Conclusion Intron-22 (56%) and intron-1 (12%) inversions were detected in families with severe HA. A novel c.2240del variant was also identified in association with a severe phenotype. The novel variants c.187_188del and c.1314_1314delA of F9 can cause severe Hemophilia B.