BACKGROUND: The standard treatment for bacterial vaginosis is metronidazole. Side effects are not well tolerated by some patients and some develop resistance. Hence, the search for treatment with less side effects and less resistance.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the efficacy of vaginal dequalinium chloride compared to oral metronidazole in the treatment of bacterial vaginosis among non; pregnant women.

METHOD: Fourty non-pregnant women and non lactating women, 18-50 years old diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis by presence of vaginal discharge and malodor, Nugent's score of 4 and above, and clue cells seen in Gram stain, were randomly allocated to treatment groups. Group A received dequalinium chloride 10mg/vaginal tablet for 6 days at HS while Group B received metronidazole tablet, 500mg/tablet, 1 tablet per orem BID for 7 days. Microbiologic, clinical and complete cure rate as well as adverse effects of treatment were then assessed. Data entry and encoding was done using Epi info version 6. Analysis was done using stata version 9. Univariate analysis such as mean, median, mode and range were used to describe the characteristics of the subjects. Frequency distribution was used to describe the proportion of patients with microbiologic, clinical and complete cure. This was also used in describing proportion of the participants' acceptability in this study. Chi square was used for comparison of dequalinium chloride and metronidazole between treatment-arms.

RESULTS: Ninety five percent (19/20) of those in the dequalinium arm had gram-negative coccobacilli count of less than 10/hpf as compared to 80% (16/20) among those in the control (P < 0.30). Lactobacilli was only restored among 25% of those in the metronidazole and in 75% of the control group (P = 0.002). Reduced amount of discharge was observed in all paricipants in both groups. Malodor of the discharge disappeared in 95% (19/20) of the H₂O₂ and 85% (17/20) of the control group (P=0.30).

CONCLUSION: Dequalinium is comparable with the standard treatment. It is at par with the standard treatment in alleviating symptoms of bacterial vaginosis and reducing estimated coccobacilli. It is more effacious in restoring the normal flora.

Human ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Young Adult ; Vaginosis, Bacterial ; Dequalinium ; Metronidazole ; bacteria ; Gardnerella vaginalis ; Mycoplasma hominis ; Fusobacterium

BACKGROUND: Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most prevalent cause of symptomatic vaginitis. In the Philippines, prevalence of BV is at 28.16%. The mainstay for the treatment of BV is Metronidazole. Although antibiotic therapy has been shown to eliminate BV associated organisms, there is extremely high recurrence rate.
OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of metronidazole and metronidazole plus lactobacilli tablet in the treatment of bacterial vaginosis among non-pregnant patients seen at the outpatient department of a tertiary medical center.
METHODOLOGY: The population included non-pregnant women ages 15 t0 44 years old, with bacterial vaginosis diagnosed by Amsel's criteria and Nugent's scoring. The participants were randomly assigned to their treatment group, one is Metronidazole only and other received Metronidazole plus Lactobacillus tablet. All participants followed up on day 8,15,22 and 56 from initiation of treatment resolution or persistence of symptoms and collection of vaginal specimen for gram stain and inquire on adverse effects.
RESULTS: On day 8 treatment, there were significantly more participant in the metronidazole plus probiotic arm with an estimated lactobacilli count of more than 30/hpf as comapred to metronidazole alone. On day 15 post treatment, there was no statistically significant difference with the estimated Gardnerella vaginalis count, lactobacilli count, presence or absence of malodorous vaginal discharge between the metronidazole plus probiotic and the metronidazole alone arm. With metronidazole plus probiotic group, the proportion of women with less than 30 per hpf Gardnella vaginalis count and absent foul smelling vaginal discharge were accounted among 100% of the participants from day 8 to 56 post treatment. The early reduction in the causative agent and symptoms can be attributed to an increase in the estimated lactobacilli count sustained until 56 days post treatment metronidazole plus probiotic. However, from day 15 to 22 and 56 post- treatment, the proportion of participants who had a nugent's score of less than 4 were greater for both the metronidazole plus probiotic (100%) and metronidazole alone (95%) arm, when compared to day 8 post-treatment. This finding for the metronidazole plus probiotic group is due to sustained reduction in the Gardnella vaginalis count and increase in lactobacilli counts. Potentially , the metronidazole plus probiotic treatment was found to be more favorable in sustaining the normal flora and probiotic can be used as an adjunct may enhance the efficacy of metronidazole in the treatment of BV.
CONCLUSION: Metronidazole plus probiotic and metronidazole only treatment are comparable in treating bacterial vaginosis. In terms of restoring and maintaining the normal flora, metronidazole plus probiotic appears to be more significantly efficacious. Probiotic in the form of lactobacilli is a promising adjunct to enhance the efficacy of metronidazole in the treatment of bacterial vaginosis.

Human ; Female ; Adult ; Adolescent ; Gardnerella Vaginalis ; Vaginosis, Bacterial ; Metronidazole ; Lactobacillus ; Gardnerella ; Probiotics ; Vaginal Discharge ; Gentian Violet ; Phenazines ; Tablets ; Anti-bacterial Agents

BACKGROUND: Episiotomy is a surgical incision of the perineum performed to widen the vaginal opening to facilitate the delivery of an infant. Bleeding is its common complication. A certain technique must be followed so as not to incur either dyspareunia, dehiscence or infection. Hence the application of policresulen solution during repair may minimize bleeding and facilitate better wound healing.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the operative and post-operative outcome between episiorraphy with and without application of policresulen solution during repair among puerperal patients admitted in a tertiary hospital.

METHODOLOGY: One hundred participants were randomized to two treatment groups. Those assigned to treatment A (n=50) underwent episiorrhaphy with policresulen solution application while those in treatment B (n=50) served as the control group. The main outcome measures were estimated blood loss, operative time and duration of wound healing.

RESULTS: There was a significantly shorter mean operative time with the participants in the Policresulen group (20.92 ± 0.90 minutes) as compared to the Control group (53.8 ± 1.79 minutes) with a P-value of < 0.001. Estimated mean blood loss was significantly lesser in the Policresulen group (195.2 ± 5.69 ml) than in the Control group (373.8 ± 16.14 ml) having a P-value of < 0.001. The duration of wound healing was also shorter among those in the Policresulen group (1.42 ± 0.09 weeks) than those in the Control group (2.14 ± 0.17 weeks), with a P-value of 0.003. A significantly greater proportion of participants had shorter operative time, lesser blood loss and shorter duration of wound healing in the policresulen group. (p-value < 0.005)

CONCLUSION: Policresulen solution application has a good hemostatic effect on the episiotomy wound hence shortened the operative time. It also has a good wound healing effect reflected by a shortened duration of wound healing of the episiotomy wound.

Human ; Female ; Adult ; Episiotomy ; Perineum ; Dyspareunia ; Surgical Wound ; Bleeding Time ; Blood Loss, Surgical ; Outcome Assessment (health Care)

Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent heterogeneous disorder in females. Timely diagnosis and management are important, especially in adolescents; despite this, there is a paucity of data focusing on this group Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of the different phenotypes of PCOS in adolescents and identify their association with metabolic and cardiovascular risk Methodology: All medical records of patients seen at the OPD of a tertiary institution from January 2015 to December 2019 that had a diagnosis of PCOS were reviewed. The data that were extracted included the patient’s age, blood pressure at the time of consult, weight, height, signs and symptoms (anovulation and hirsutism), and laboratory results (transvaginal ultrasound, 75 g oral glucose tolerance test [OGTT], and lipid profile). Purposive sampling was done for this study Results: The prevalence of phenotypes A is 31.9%, B at 31.9%, C around 5.8%, and D at 49.6%, respectively. Those Phenotype D adolescents had significantly higher body mass index (BMI) (P = 0.021), while those having phenotype B had significantly higher total cholesterol levels (P = 0.038). No significant differences were noted in the blood pressure, 75 g OGTT, low‑density lipoprotein (LDL), very LDL, high‑density lipoprotein, and triglycerides among the different PCOS phenotypes Conclusion Adolescents with PCOS have an increased risk for metabolic and cardiovascular outcomes; however, there is no significant difference when compared across all phenotypes. It was among those having phenotype D that were found to have a BMI classified as overweight, and phenotype B have elevated total cholesterol levels
Adolescent ; Phenotype ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

BACKGROUND: Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most prevalent cause of symptomatic vaginitis. In the Philippines, prevalence of BV is at 28.16%. The mainstay for the treatment of BV is Metronidazole. Although antibiotic therapy has been shown to eliminate BV associated organisms, there is extremely high recurrence rate.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of metronidazole and metronidazole plus lactobacilli tablet in the treatment of bacterial vaginosis among non-pregnant patients seen at the outpatient department of a tertiary medical center.

METHODOLOGY: The population included non-pregnant women ages 15 t0 44 years old, with bacterial vaginosis diagnosed by Amsel's criteria and Nugent's scoring. The participants were randomly assigned to their treatment group, one is Metronidazole only and other received Metronidazole plus Lactobacillus tablet. All participants followed up on day 8,15,22 and 56 from initiation of treatment resolution or persistence of symptoms and collection of vaginal specimen for gram stain and inquire on adverse effects.

RESULTS: On day 8 treatment, there were significantly more participant in the metronidazole plus probiotic arm with an estimated lactobacilli count of more than 30/hpf as comapred to metronidazole alone. On day 15 post treatment, there was no statistically significant difference with the estimated Gardnerella vaginalis count, lactobacilli count, presence or absence of malodorous vaginal discharge between the metronidazole plus probiotic and the metronidazole alone arm. With metronidazole plus probiotic group, the proportion of women with less than 30 per hpf Gardnella vaginalis count and absent foul smelling vaginal discharge were accounted among 100% of the participants from day 8 to 56 post treatment. The early reduction in the causative agent and symptoms can be attributed to an increase in the estimated lactobacilli count sustained until 56 days post treatment metronidazole plus probiotic. However, from day 15 to 22 and 56 post- treatment, the proportion of participants who had a nugent's score of less than 4 were greater for both the metronidazole plus probiotic (100%) and metronidazole alone (95%) arm, when compared to day 8 post-treatment. This finding for the metronidazole plus probiotic group is due to sustained reduction in the Gardnella vaginalis count and increase in lactobacilli counts. Potentially , the metronidazole plus probiotic treatment was found to be more favorable in sustaining the normal flora and probiotic can be used as an adjunct may enhance the efficacy of metronidazole in the treatment of BV.

CONCLUSION: Metronidazole plus probiotic and metronidazole only treatment are comparable in treating bacterial vaginosis. In terms of restoring and maintaining the normal flora, metronidazole plus probiotic appears to be more significantly efficacious. Probiotic in the form of lactobacilli is a promising adjunct to enhance the efficacy of metronidazole in the treatment of bacterial vaginosis.

Human ; Female ; Adult (a Person 19-44 Years Of Age) ; Adolescent (a Person 13-18 Years Of Age) ; Gardnerella Vaginalis ; Vaginosis, Bacterial ; Metronidazole ; Lactobacillus ; Gardnerella ; Probiotics ; Vaginal Discharge ; Gentian Violet ; Phenazines ; Tablets ; Anti-bacterial Agents

Background: Vulvovaginal Candidiasis (VVC) is one of the frequent infections of the female genital tract and is the second most common cause of vaginal infections after bacterial vaginosis. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, azoles are the first‑line treatment for VVC. Among the azoles available in the Philippines, only miconazole and clotrimazole are recommended for both pregnant and non‑pregnant women. Objective: Compare the effect of miconazole versus clotrimazole in the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis among patients seen at the out‑patient department in a tertiary hospital Materials and Methods: This involved review of the records of patients diagnosed with VVC in a tertiary medical center from 2016 to 2020. All records of women, pregnant and non‑pregnant, wherein single‑dose 1200 mg miconazole or 6‑day 100 mg clotrimazole given vaginally were included Results: Eleven out of the 316 records (3.46%) remained symptomatic after treatment, about 18.1% (2/161) from those who used miconazole and 81.8% (9/155) from those treated with clotrimazole (p 0.027). In terms of failure rate, for miconazole it was 1.2% (2/161), whereas for clotrimazole it was 5.8% (9/155). None of the charts were found to have recorded adverse reaction to the given treatment Conclusion Single‑dose miconazole intravaginal regimen has a higher clinical cure rate than the 6‑day clotrimazole intravaginal treatment. Thereby, single‑dose intravaginal miconazole has the potential to improve patient compliance and treatment outcome at a lower cost
Clotrimazole ; Miconazole ; Vaginitis ; Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal

Cesarean scar pregnancy is the rarest form of ectopic pregnancy. In the Philippines, little is known about its incidence and occurrence. However, increasing rates has been documented worldwide, closely related to the increasing cesarean section rates. This paper reports two cases of cesarean scar pregnancy who both presented with vaginal bleeding. The first case, a Gravida 6 Para 5 (5005), while the second case, a Gravida 3 Para 2 (2002). Both diagnosed early by ultrasonography but managed differently. The first case, managed by hysterectomy, while the second case, managed conservatively by laparoscopic excision of the cesarean scar pregnancy. This paper intends to raise awareness of the increasing incidence of cesarean scar pregnancy, its pathophysiology, different options in the diagnosis and management. Prevention is the key to decrease the incidence of cesarean scar pregnancy. To achieve this, reducing the cesarean section rate should be the primary goal.
Pregnancy, Ectopic ; Cesarean Section

Bleeding after menopause raises suspicion of malignancy; more
Pseudomyxoma Peritonei

Schistosomiasis has been established as a causative factor in urinary bladder, liver, colorectal and cervical cancer. However, its role in ovarian malignancy has not been described. With the premise that long-standing inflammation secondary to chronic infection predisposes to cancer by promoting an environment that cultivates genomic lesions and tumor initiation, we are left with an open question: Does chronic infection with schistosomiasis also predispose to ovarian cancer? In this paper, we presented a case of a 54-year-old diagnosed with high grade serous carcinoma of the ovary and fallopian tube with a history of chronic infection with Schistosomiasis. In this case, the infection caused neoplastic lesions in the right fallopian tube with subsequent seeding of malignant cells to the right ovary, indirectly causing the high grade serous ovarian carcinoma of the patient.
Fallopian Tubes ; Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; Schistosomiasis

Background: Anemia is a major global problem that affects women and prevalent during pregnancy. Effective management is needed to prevent adverse maternal and pregnancy outcomes. Ferrous iron salts are the preparation of choice and recommended for both prevention and treatment of iron deficiency anemia (IDA). However, most commonly available iron supplement are poorly absorbed, with gastrointestinal disturbances as side effect. Objective: To compare the efficacy of iron amino acid chelate and ferrous sulfate in the treatment of IDA among pregnant women seen at the out-patient department of a tertiary medical center. Methodology: This study is a single blind randomized clinical trial which included women 18 to 40 years old, with singleton pregnancies diagnosed with IDA without any co-existing fetal and maternal complications seen at the OutPatient Department. Forty eight eligible participants were randomized, with 24 women allocated on each treatment arm who took their assigned treatment twice a day for 90 days. Hemoglobin, hematocrit, MCHC, MCV, RDW & serum ferritin levels were taken at baseline and monitored on days 30, 60 and 90 from initiation of treatment. Mean blood parameters between two treatment arms were compared on days 30, 60 and 90 post-treatment as well as the mean difference of blood parameters on days post-treatment from the baseline using T-test. Chi-square was used to compare adverse effects between two treatment arms. Results: No statistically significant differences in the mean blood parameters on days 30 and 60 of treatment between Iron amino acid chelate and Ferrous sulfate. It was only on day 90 from initiation of treatment when there were a significantly higher hematocrit and MCHC and lower RDW in Iron amino acid chelate compared to Ferrous sulfate group. All of the CBC parameters on days 30, 60, and 90 post-treatment when compared to baseline level were significantly increased for both treatment arms. However, day 90 level of serum ferritin in the Iron amino acid chelate group significantly increased unlike those in ferrous sulfate group. Conclusion Iron amino acid chelate is comparable to Ferrous sulfate in the treatment of IDA among pregnant women. Iron amino acid chelate was found to be superior to Ferrous sulfate in achieving optimum treatment response even at a lower dose with lesser adverse effects. Hence, better oral iron treatment tolerability, thereby, compliance to long-term therapy can be expected resulting to successful treatment outcome.
Hemoglobins ; Hematocrit