INTRODUCTION

Hypertension is a serious public health issue that puts individuals at risk for various morbidity and mortality indicators. One of the most crucial factors in managing blood pressure and preventing complications is medication adherence which is linked to several determinants. This study explored the correlation between medication adherence among middle-aged hypertensive adults and the different domains of quality of life (QOL), which includes physical, psychological, social relationship and environment.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study involved 96 Filipino residents of Brgy. San Jose, Navotas City aged 35 to 65 years old diagnosed with hypertension and prescribed anti-hypertensive medications. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to calculate the correlation between different domains of QOL as well as the overall QOL score.

RESULTS

Results revealed a statistically significant but weak positive correlation between overall QOL and medication adherence (r = 0.336, p<0.001). Among the QOL domains, environmental domain had the strongest correlation with adherence (r = 0.446, p = 0.00), followed by physical health (r = 0.443, p = 0.01) and psychological well-being (r = 0.382, p = 0.01). The social relationship domain showed negligible correlation (r = 0.163, p = 0.4).

CONCLUSION

The study demonstrates that while medication adherence is modestly associated with better perceived QOL, especially in physical, psychological and environmental aspects, other factors likely influence both outcomes. These findings highlight the need for holistic, community-based interventions that address not only medication adherence but also environmental and psychosocial barriers to care in managing hypertension.

Human ; Adult: 25-44 Yrs Old ; Middle Aged: 45-64 Yrs Old ; Aged: 65-79 Yrs Old ; Quality Of Life ; Public Health ; Medication Adherence ; Antihypertensive Agents ; Blood Pressure ; Interpersonal Relations

Background: s/Aims: The status of portal lymph nodes is a critical factor in determining eligibility for hepatic artery infusion pump (HAIP) therapy. However, methods for detecting occult positive nodes and understanding their clinical implications remain inadequately defined. Methods: We conducted a retrospective evaluation of a cohort of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer who underwent HAIP.An independent, blinded radiologist reviewed pre-operative imaging to identify predictors for nodal positivity. We performed Kaplan-Meier survival analyses to explore the relationship between hepatic nodal staging and patient survival. Results: The study comprised 33 patients, with a median follow-up of 23.5 months (range 2–56 months). The imaging review did not accurately identify patients with hepatic nodal disease. Patients without hepatic nodal metastases (n = 23) had a significantly longer median overall survival (OS) of 27 months compared to those with hepatic nodal metastases, who had a median OS of 11 months (hazard ratio = 4.8, p ≤ 0.01). Hepatic nodal positivity (hLN+) was associated with primary nodal positivity (pLN+, p = 0.036), and all patients with hLN+ were also pLN+. Conclusions Hepatic nodal metastases are a predictor of survival in patients receiving HAIP therapy for colorectal liver metastases.Primary nodal positivity may aid in the selection of HAIP candidates by increasing the suspicion of hepatic nodal positivity.

Background/Aims: Chronic constipation is prevalent yet under-diagnosed across Asia, compromising quality of life and burdening healthcare systems. Cultural stigma, varied diets, and limited access to standardized diagnostic tools delay timely care. Methods: The Bali Chronic Constipation Roundtable in November 2024, brought together experts from 11 Asian countries. The group reviewed epidemiological data, analyzed multinational questionnaire on clinical practice pattern, and conducted structured discussions to identify key barriers and propose region-specific recommendations. Results: Chronic constipation prevalence varies across Asia, ranging from 1.8% in India to 16.6% in Japan, with women and the elderly disproportionately affected. Under-reporting persists owing to cultural taboos and widespread self treatment with laxatives and traditional medications. Although the Rome IV criteria remains the global standard, they may not fully reflect Asian symptom profiles, and diagnosis is limited by scarce motility laboratories. First line therapies such as dietary-fiber optimization and osmotic laxatives are widely available, but newer pharmacotherapies (prucalopride, linaclotide, lubiprostone, and elobixibat) remain costly and unevenly accessible. Biofeedback for dyssynergic defecation is underutilized due to limited availability. Experts recommend expanded regional research on to refine diagnostic criteria, coupled with enhanced physician education and public awareness. They advocate accessibility to second-line and novel therapies that incorporate culturally attuned regional guidelines, and improved access to gastrointestinal motility testing. Conclusions The Bali Chronic Constipation Roundtable highlighted Asia’s need for region specific diagnostics and management. Addressing diagnostic and treatment gaps will improve outcomes, while ongoing researcher clinician policy collaboration must standardize guidelines, advance research, and ensure equitable care across Asia.

Pharmacogenomic variations may significantly influence responses to commonly prescribed stroke medications. Despite accumulating evidence, genetic testing has not yet been widely integrated into stroke care. This review summarizes current evidence and provides practical guidance for clinical implementation. Pharmacogenomic studies and clinical guidelines related to antiplatelet agents, anticoagulants, and statins were reviewed, with particular emphasis on East Asian populations. Substantial evidence supports genotype-guided use of clopidogrel (CYP2C19), warfarin (CYP2C9, VKORC1, CYP4F2), and statins (SLCO1B1, ABCG2). For aspirin, PTGS1/2 and PEAR1 variants have been investigated; however, current data remain insufficient for clinical application. Regarding direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs), candidate genes such as ABCB1 and CES1 demonstrate pharmacokinetic associations, though robust clinical outcome data are lacking. Distinct allele frequencies in East Asians—such as higher prevalence of CYP2C19 and ABCG2 variants—underscore the need for population-specific strategies. Beyond single-gene approaches, polygenic risk scores, pharmacogenomic panels, and integration with multi-omics data and artificial intelligence represent promising directions for personalized therapy. Pharmacogenomic testing can enhance stroke pharmacotherapy, particularly in populations with high frequencies of actionable variants. Broader implementation requires rapid testing platforms, clinician education, tailored clinical guidelines, and real-world validation of aspirin, DOACs, and multi-gene approaches. Future research should expand population-specific studies and integrate pharmacogenomics within the broader framework of precision medicine to ensure equitable clinical benefit.

Purpose: Complications associated with retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) have primarily been described from single-center data. These historical single-center studies often lack standardized reporting preventing combined cohort analysis. Therefore, we describe and discuss the complications associated with RPLND from a prospectively maintained, validated, national database. Materials and Methods: The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database was queried for 30-day postoperative complications following RPLND for testicular cancer from 2005–2018, which comprised the cohort for analysis. Complications were subcategorized by organ systems and by Clavien-Dindo classification grade (I–II [low], III–V [high]). A subanalysis of large (>5 cm) retroperitoneal masses was evaluated as a surrogate for postchemotherapy RPLND. Associations with patient and perioperative variables were analyzed with logistic regression. Results: A total of 375 patients met inclusion criteria. Seventy-four patients (19.7%) experienced at least one postoperative complication for a total of 125 complications. The median hospital length of stay was 5 (interquartile range, 4–7) days. Hospital readmission occured in 32 patients (8.5%). There were 52 patients (13.9%) who underwent RPLND for large masses, with a 34.6% complication rate. The most common organ system complications included blood transfusions (11.7%), wound dehiscence/infection (4%), and pulmonary (2.3%). The majority of complications were of low Clavien-Dindo classification grade (12% vs. 3.5%). On univariable analysis, smoking, disseminated cancer, steroid use, older age, low albumin, low hematocrit, low platelet counts, and longer operative times were significantly associated with the occurrence of any complication. Smoking, low hematocrit, and longer operative times remained significant on multivariable analysis. Conclusion In the NSQIP database, complication rates following RPLND are predominantly of low Clavien-Dindo classification grade and are higher than some previously published single-center series. Increased rates were associated with smoking, unfavorable preoperative blood counts, and longer operative times.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), encompassing Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis, is a chronic condition marked by immune dysregulation, genetic predisposition, and metabolic disturbances. Emerging evidence highlights the role of lipid metabolism and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) signaling in modulating immune responses in IBD. PPAR-γ and PPAR-α regulate macrophage polarization, T-cell differentiation, and epithelial barrier integrity, influencing disease severity and progression. Alterations in PPAR activity contribute to metabolic stress and inflammation, linking IBD pathophysiology to immunometabolism. Studies suggest that targeting PPARs may mitigate inflammation through modulation of cytokine production, immune cell function, and gut microbiota interactions. In this review, we focus specifically on CD and explore how PPAR signaling intersects with mesenteric adipose tissue dysfunction and microbial dysbiosis, 2 hallmark features of CD. PPAR agonists, already used in metabolic-inflammatory diseases such as metabolic-associated liver disease, have demonstrated antiinflammatory effects in experimental colitis models. Translating these findings into clinical applications could offer novel treatment strategies for CD. Future research should focus on clinical trials, genetic studies, and microbiota-targeted approaches to elucidate PPAR-driven mechanisms in CD pathogenesis. Understanding the interplay between PPARs, lipid metabolism, and immune responses may lead to innovative therapeutic strategies, improving disease management and patient outcomes.

Bovine-derived dural substitutes are commonly used in cranial and spinal duraplasty. Although they are generally well tolerated, allergic reactions have been reported—almost all presented with eosinophilic meningitis. A 7-year-old girl with Li-Fraumeni syndrome and diffuse pediatric glioma underwent a third salvage resection in which a bovine collagen dural onlay was placed. Ten days post operatively, she developed fever, lethargy, and a subcutaneous scalp fluid collection. Cultures and imaging were negative for infection; cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) revealed pleocytosis (elevated white blood cells and protein) without eosinophilia. High-dose dexamethasone produced transient clinical and radiographic improvement, but fever and fluid re accumulated whenever steroids were tapered. Given the steroid dependence and persistently negative infectious work-up, the graft was explanted. Pathology demonstrated a foreign-body giant cell reaction without eosinophils, and the patient’s symptoms resolved permanently after removal. This report documents the first pediatric case of bovinederived dural graft hypersensitivity without eosinophilic meningitis. Clinicians should consider graft-related allergy in children who develop recurrent fluid collections and fevers after duraplasty—even when CSF eosinophils are absent and cultures remain negative and should recognize that definitive treatment may require graft removal rather than prolonged steroid therapy.

Background: We aim to analyze the additive value of repeated transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) within a 1-week interval after a baseline TTE to diagnose infective endocarditis (IE) in patients admitted with Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB). Methods: We prospectively enrolled consecutive patients with SAB who were referred for TTE and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) to exclude IE between January 2017 to December 2019. All patients underwent a second TTE within 5 to 7 days. We excluded patients with poor echo windows, previous IE, valve repair/replacement, and those with cardiac devices or a dialysis catheter in place. Results: A total of 105 patients were enrolled, of which 40 (38.1%) were female. The mean age was 52 ± 14 years.Sixty-four patients (61%) had a defined source of infection, and 36 (34.3%) were intravenous drug users. The majority (n = 74, 70.5%), had methicillin-sensitive S. aureus. Sixteen patients (15.2%) were diagnosed with definite IE based on TEE findings as follows: eight tricuspid valve IE, four mitral valve IE, three aortic valve IE, and one with double valve IE (mitral and tricuspid). The mortality rate was 7.6% (two patients with definite IE and six without IE). Vegetations were not detected in one patient on the first TTE, compared to TEE and the second TTE. The baseline TTE had a sensitivity of 93.8%, specificity of 87.6% and accuracy of 88.6% in identifying echocardiographic evidence of IE. The addition of second TTE findings increased the sensitivity to 100%, specificity to 95.5%, and diagnostic accuracy to 96.2% in comparison to TEE for the detection of IE. Conclusions A repeat TTE within 5 to 7 days of an initial study significantly enhances diagnostic accuracy for detecting IE in patients with SAB and may help reduce the need for TEE in selected low-risk cases.

BACKGROUND

Carney complex (CNC) is a rare multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome caused by PRKAR1A gene mutation and  characterized by lentigines, myxomatous tumors and various endocrine neoplasms.

CASE PRESENTATION

This is a case of a 52-year-old male patient who underwent echocardiogram for intermittent palpitations and near-syncopal attack, which revealed a left atrial myxoma. The patient also exhibited multiple lentigines and had a history of histologicallyconfirmed papillary thyroid carcinoma. Surgical excision and subsequent histopathologic examination confirmed cardiac myxoma, fulfilling three major Stratakis criteria for CNC.

DISCUSSION

This case highlights the importance of a thorough history and physical examination with a strong understanding of the syndrome’s features being key to recognizing the disease. Increasing awareness and reinforcing knowledge of CNC are crucial for preventing misdiagnosis and ensuring effective management of this rare condition. To our knowledge, this is the first published case report of CNC in the Philippines, emphasizing the need for heightened regional awareness.

CONCLUSION

CNC may present with subtle or nonspecific symptoms and atypical tumor locations. Early recognition through a high index of suspicion, targeted imaging and a multidisciplinary approach is critical to optimize outcomes and guide family screening in this rare syndrome.

Human ; Male ; Middle Aged: 45-64 Yrs Old ; Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia ; Carney Complex ; Myxoma ; Syndrome ; Neoplasms ; Mutation ; Lentigo ; Genes

Autosomal dominant hypocalcemia (ADH) type 1 and 2 are disorders of calcium homeostasis caused by gain of function variants. The calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) is a class C GPCR that responds to elevated extracellular calcium (Ca²⁺ _o) by inhibiting parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion and promoting renal excretion of Ca²⁺ and other salts to restore physiologically normal Ca²⁺ _o concentrations. CaSR negative allosteric modulators (NAMs) transiently raise PTH levels in individuals with ADH1, restoring Ca²⁺ _o concentration to a physiological normal range. Herein we disclose the discovery of a chemoreactive NAM (ATF936-NCS, 4) for the CaSR that (i) is wash-resistant indicative of irreversible receptor binding and (ii) stimulates prolonged PTH release in vivo. This 'first-in-class' chemical probe will provide invaluable insight towards the development of longer acting NAMs for the treatment of ADH.