Background: Cardiovascular diseases are the leading causes of deaths among adults in the Philippines, and this is true also among older persons aged 60 years and above. Identification of risk factors and diseases that lead to cardiovascular mortality among the elderly is important to have an impact on longevity. Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and specific cardiovascular risk factors among older persons in the Philippines. Methods: A cross sectional design was used, with data taken from the results of the 8th Philippine National Nutrition Survey (NNS) Clinical and Health Survey done in 2013. Although there is a more recent survey, only the 2013 data is complete and available for secondary analyses. Results: There were 1,835 older persons who were participants in the 8th Philippine NNS who had complete clinical data. The prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome was 52.6% in this population with the distribution of the components as follows: 33.5% have elevated waist circumference; 59.25 had elevated BP >130/85 mm Hg; 30.1% had fasting blood glucose ≥100 mg/dL (includes prediabetes and diabetes); 63% have low HDL, and 39% have elevated triglycerides ≥150 mg/dL. The results for other cardiovascular diseases and risk factors are as follows: 44% had hypertension using the criterion of the JNC VII report (BP ≥140/90 mm Hg); 85% had LDL cholesterol ≥100 mg/dL; 31% are current alcohol drinkers; 22% are current smokers; 53.7% have low physical activity; and 82% have an unhealthy diet. Conclusions Fifty-two percent (52%) of older Filipinos have metabolic syndrome and have a high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors, foremost of which are elevated LDL-cholesterol at 85%, hypertension at 44% based on JNC VII, approximately 10% with diabetes mellitus, but with a double burden of overweight/obesity and undernutrition. This data can help plan for public health approaches to improve quality of life and increase longevity of Filipinos.
Metabolic Syndrome ; Heart Disease Risk Factors

Background: Cardiovascular diseases are the leading causes of deaths among adults in the Philippines, and this is true also among older persons aged 60 years and above. Identification of risk factors and diseases that lead to cardiovascular mortality among the elderly is important to have an impact on longevity. Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and specific cardiovascular risk factors among older persons in the Philippines. Methods: A cross sectional design was used, with data taken from the results of the 8th Philippine National Nutrition Survey (NNS) Clinical and Health Survey done in 2013. Although there is a more recent survey, only the 2013 data is complete and available for secondary analyses. Results: There were 1,835 older persons who were participants in the 8th Philippine NNS who had complete clinical data. The prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome was 52.6% in this population with the distribution of the components as follows: 33.5% have elevated waist circumference; 59.25 had elevated BP >130/85 mm Hg; 30.1% had fasting blood glucose ≥100 mg/dL (includes prediabetes and diabetes); 63% have low HDL, and 39% have elevated triglycerides ≥150 mg/dL. The results for other cardiovascular diseases and risk factors are as follows: 44% had hypertension using the criterion of the JNC VII report (BP ≥140/90 mm Hg); 85% had LDL cholesterol ≥100 mg/dL; 31% are current alcohol drinkers; 22% are current smokers; 53.7% have low physical activity; and 82% have an unhealthy diet. Conclusions Fifty-two percent (52%) of older Filipinos have metabolic syndrome and have a high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors, foremost of which are elevated LDL-cholesterol at 85%, hypertension at 44% based on JNC VII, approximately 10% with diabetes mellitus, but with a double burden of overweight/obesity and undernutrition. This data can help plan for public health approaches to improve quality of life and increase longevity of Filipinos.
Metabolic Syndrome ; Heart Disease Risk Factors

As the new batch of physicians in the Department of Medicine of the Philippine General Hospital, University of the Philippines Manila (UP-PGH) started their residency in January 2020, COVID-19 was only a disease that was heard of in the news, as it was spreading in China. When the first few patients with coughs and colds would ask us whether it was nCOV (as it was known then), we would not even consider it; we just gently reassured them. Then, the first patient in the country with COVID-19 was admitted on the last week of January 2020,1 prompting various local and national efforts to try to prevent its further spread. Even then, hospital operations and training activities went on as usual except that more people wore masks and practiced social distancing. When the government declared community quarantine for the whole of Luzon mid-March due to the rise in confirmed cases, hospital operations slowed down as the outpatient department (OPD) was closed and workforce was minimized. Before the month ended, the hospital would be designated to be one of the COVID-19 referral centers.
Coronavirus ; Covid-19

Background: Teenage pregnancy is a public health concern because of its increasing incidence and its dire consequences. Numerous studies document the role of family in initiating sexual activity and teenage pregnancy, but there is a lack of studies that assess the effects of families and peers on teenage sexual behavior in the Philippines. Objective: To determine the association between perceived family functionality as measured by the Family APGAR and teenage pregnancy in selected barangays in District 2, Quezon City, Philippines Methodology: The study enrolled 233 women who are residents of Barangays Commonwealth and Payatas in Quezon City. Cases consisted of 133 women aged 18 to 24 years at the time of the interview who have become pregnant in 2011-2016, while they were 13 to 19 years old, while controls (N=100) were similar but had never been pregnant before age 20. Consecutive respondents who consented to participate in the study were enrolled and interviewed using the Filipino version of the Family APGAR. Respondents were then classified as having functional or dysfunctional families. Odds ratio was computed to determine the relationship between family functionality and teenage pregnancy. Results: Family dysfunction based on the Family APGAR score was significantly associated with increased risk of teenage pregnancy with an OR 16.69, 1.93-144 (p=0.010) along with having both parents as caregivers with an OR of 29.69, 2.46-345, and teenage pregnancy in the mother with an OR of 15.87, 2.006-125. Conclusion Perception of dysfunction in the family based on the Family APGAR score, having both parents as caregivers and teenage pregnancy in the mother are associated with teenage pregnancy. Future researches should investigate the interactions of these factors but targeting family functionality may be key to curbing teenage pregnancies.
Pregnancy in Adolescence ; Pregnancy ; Female

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

The COVID- 19 pandemic and the subsequent designation of the Philippine General Hospital lead to necessary adjustments in internal medicine residency training. This study investigated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on internal medicine (IM) residents in the Philippine General Hospital.

A questionnaire was developed and distributed among internal medicine residents employed in the years 2020 and 2021. Qualitative data was then gathered through on line and face-to-face interviews.

A total of 43 Internal Medicine residents responded. This study found that the pandemic significantly affected internal medicine residents and their overall training. The participants reported changes in the number and profile of patients seen, the limited outpatient clinical exposure, the difficulties of telemedicine, and the reduced interactions with consultants and subspecialty fellows. Infection control protocols and workforce limitations also affected the number of procedures done by the residents. Resident participants reported that they were able to allot more time to studying from the textbook because of the skeletal schedules and decreased number of patients. Other learning avenues were shifted to online conferences and lectures.

The COVID-19 pandemic a lso brought about changes in residents' day-to-day routines, schedules, and rotations. Communicating with patients and relatives was also reported to be more difficult. Lifestyle changes varied among resident s. Socialization also shifted to online avenues and social messaging platforms. Having colleagues who test positive tor COVID and subsequently requiring quarantine lead to constant changes in workforce dynamics. This lead to feelings of anxiety and isolation among its trainees.

However, a number of participants still believed that the pandemic allowed them to become better physicians. This was brought about by a sense of service and pride, camaraderie among colleagues, commitment to finishing the program, financial stability, and administrative support. Still, the participants stated areas for improvement, including more consistent protocol measures, additional financial compensation, added workforce, and more transparent administrative support. All in all, participants felt that they were still able to meet the learning outcomes and minimum competencies. Majority of the participants believed the experiences brought about by the pandemic helped them become a better internist.

Ultimately, the new challenges from the pandemic strengthened the sense of service, resilience and clinical acumen of the residents.