BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The global pandemic caused by Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has affected millions, with growing evidence of the potential role of ocular tissues in viral transmission. At the time of writing, local data regarding the phenomenon was limited. This study investigated external ocular manifestations in patients with COVID-19 at a referral center in the Philippines, examined correlations between demographics, systemic manifestations, and laboratory results with ocular manifestations, and determined their timing relative to systemic symptoms.

METHODS

This single-center, descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out from December 8 to 18, 2020 at the adult COVID-19 wards of the Philippine General Hospital involving 72 participants. Data collection involved relevant clinical history taking and performing gross eye examination. The prevalence of ocular manifestations was described with 95% confidence intervals. Correlations between ocular manifestations and quantitative variables were analyzed with point-biserial correlation, and associations with qualitative variables were tested using chi-square or Fisher’s exact tests.

RESULTS

Among participants, 31.9% presented with ocular manifestations with foreign body sensation as the most prevalent ocular symptom (11.1%) and conjunctival hyperemia as the most prevalent ocular finding (19.4%). The median age of patients with ocular manifestations was 41 years old with a higher prevalence in the male population (73.9%, CI=95%, p=0.001). No significant correlation was observed between presence of external ocular manifestations and the different systemic and ocular co-morbidities as well as with COVID-19 clinical classification. Among those who experienced symptoms, majority (29.2%) of the patients experienced systemic symptoms prior to the onset of ocular symptoms. Ocular complaints may present as the sole manifestation (13.9%). Several laboratory parameters were measured and only temperature and AST levels showed a low positive correlation with the presence of ocular manifestations. 

CONCLUSION

Ocular manifestations occur in roughly one third of patients with COVID-19 based on this study population. With some individuals presenting with ocular signs or symptoms as the initial and sole manifestation, healthcare practitioners must exercise caution and remain vigilant in managing patients who present as such. At the time of writing, this is the first local study investigating the different external ocular manifestations in patients with COVID-19. There is a need to pursue more robust studies and conduct more local investigations which will guide both ophthalmologists and other practitioners in strengthening existing guidelines regarding precautionary practices, clinical diagnosis, and management of COVID-19 patients.

Human ; Sars-cov-2 ; Covid-19 ; Philippines ; Adult ; Association ; Classification ; Collection ; Confidence Intervals ; Coronavirus ; Cross-sectional Studies ; Data Collection ; Demography ; Diagnosis ; Disease ; Exercise ; Eye ; Foreign Bodies ; History ; Hospitals ; Hospitals, General ; Hyperemia ; Laboratories ; Male ; Morbidity ; Ophthalmologists ; Pandemics ; Patients ; Population ; Prevalence ; Referral And Consultation ; Role ; Sensation ; Temperature ; Time ; Tissues ; Volition ; World Health Organization ; Writing

Bullous hemorrhagic dermatosis (BHD) is a rare cutaneous manifestation characterized by tense hemorrhagic bullae that appear at sites distant from low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) injections, typically within seven days of exposure. As of March 2022, only 94 cases have been reported. It most commonly affects elderly males with predisposing factors for thromboembolism, such as carcinoma, and usually involves the extremities.

This case highlights the importance of maintaining a high index of suspicion for bullous hemorrhagic dermatosis (BHD) in patients receiving low molecular weight heparin, even beyond the typical 7-day window and in demographics not commonly affected. Early recognition and prompt discontinuation of the offending agent, as demonstrated in this atypical presentation involving a Filipino elderly woman with multiple comorbidities and no malignancy, can lead to favorable outcomes. Clinicians should be aware of this rare but reversible complication to avoid misdiagnosis and ensure appropriate management.

Human ; Female ; Aged: 65-79 Yrs Old ; Affect ; Aged ; Blister ; Carcinoma ; Causality ; Demography ; Diagnostic Errors ; Enoxaparin ; Extremities ; Heparin ; Heparin, Low-molecular-weight ; Index ; Injections ; Lead ; Male ; Molecular Weight ; Neoplasms ; Patients ; Research Report ; Skin Diseases ; Thromboembolism ; Women

INTRODUCTION: Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a serious but underdiagnosed condition. Demand for the gold standard diagnostic polysomnogram (PSG) far exceeds its availability. More efficient diagnostic methods are needed, even in tertiary settings. Machine learning (ML) models have strengths in disease prediction and early diagnosis. We explored the use of ML with oximetry, demographic and anthropometric data to diagnose OSA. METHODS: A total of 2,996 patients were included for modelling and divided into test and training sets. Seven commonly used supervised learning algorithms were trained with the data. Sensitivity (recall), specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) (precision), negative predictive value, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and F1 measure were reported for each model. RESULTS: In the best performing four-class model (neural network model predicting no, mild, moderate or severe OSA), a prediction of moderate and/or severe disease had a combined PPV of 94%; one out of 335 patients had no OSA and 19 had mild OSA. In the best performing two-class model (logistic regression model predicting no-mild vs. moderate-severe OSA), the PPV for moderate-severe OSA was 92%; two out of 350 patients had no OSA and 26 had mild OSA. CONCLUSION Our study showed that the prediction of moderate-severe OSA in a tertiary setting with an ML approach is a viable option to facilitate early identification of OSA. Prospective studies with home-based oximeters and analysis of other oximetry variables are the next steps towards formal implementation.
Humans ; Oximetry/methods* ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive/diagnosis* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Machine Learning ; Polysomnography ; Adult ; Anthropometry ; ROC Curve ; Aged ; Algorithms ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Neural Networks, Computer ; Demography

OBJECTIVE

This seven-year, two-center retrospective cross-sectional study aimed to describe the demographic, clinical characteristics and surgical indications of patients managed with open or laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the pediatric age group, and determine these variables’ associations with patient outcomes.

METHODS

Records of all patients less than 19 years old who underwent laparoscopic or open cholecystectomy at Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center (JRRMMC) and National Children’s Hospital (NCH) from January 2015 to December 2021 were reviewed. The gathered data were organized, described and analyzed using univariate and multivariate statistics.

RESULTS

A total of 32 patients underwent open or laparoscopic cholecystectomy at the two institutions. Majority were female (78.1%). The diagnoses included chronic calculous cholecystitis (62.5%), acute calculous cholecystitis (21.9%), choledocholithiasis (12.5%). One (3.1%) patient had empyema of the gallbladder. The 15 – 18 year age group made up 78.1%, with the rest (21.9%) from the 10 – 14 year age group. By BMI percentile, 62.5% were normal, 15.6% were overweight, and 12.5% were obese. Most patients across all conditions (96.9%) had no known hemolytic disorder. Underweight patients (9.4% of the cohort) had statistically higher lengths of stay [F(3,28) = 3.444, p = .030]. No significant associations were found between the categorical outcomes (discharged well, morbidity, mortality) and patient variables (age group, sex, BMI percentile, presence of co-morbidities, symptoms, indication for surgery, operation done).

CONCLUSION

In pediatric patients undergoing laparoscopic or open cholecystectomy, BMI percentile is inversely related to the length of hospital stay.

Human ; Cholecystectomy ; Gallbladder Diseases ; Demography

OBJECTIVES

In Asia, younger individuals (below age 45) are diagnosed to have type 2 diabetes with increased rates of obesity defined by lower BMI yet with greater visceral adiposity (waist circumference and waisthip ratios). The prevalence data on type 1 diabetes is not well established, considered to be low, but is seen to be increasing as well. This changing phenotype therefore, presents a clinical dilemma in terms of correctly classifying diabetes and deciding on the consequent appropriate treatment. Distinguishing type 1 from type 2 diabetes has become more difficult with type 2 diabetes dramatically increasing in young adults and children. This study aims to define the characteristics of diabetes among young adults in the Philippines to provide a basis for appropriate management amidst changes in diabetes phenotypes seen globally.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional analytic study, we characterized the demographic, metabolic, and autoimmune features of diabetes among young adult Filipinos aged 18 to 45 years old consulting at a tertiary referral center in Manila, Philippines. Baseline serum A1c, FBS, 75-g oral glucose tolerance test, insulin, serum C-peptide, insulin autoantibodies, leptin, adiponectin, lipid profile, and thyroid function tests were obtained from the participants and analyzed. The homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) was used to estimate the insulin sensitivity.

RESULTS

A total of 348 patients with diabetes were included, with females comprising two-thirds of the participants. The mean age at diagnosis of diabetes was 35.9±7.22 years. The mean BMI was 28.12 kg/m2, with median waist to hip ratio (WHR) of 0·93. Metabolic syndrome was found in 60% of participants and 67.82% were obese by body mass index. The mean A1c was 9.07±2.52%. Good glucose control (A1c less than 7.0%) was seen in 23% of participants  while nearly half (48%) had HbA1c which was >9.0%. The median levels of fasting insulin and C-peptide were 12.62 (range 1.33–90.42) mIU/L and 0.78 ng/mL (range 0–16.2), respectively. 

Included participants were diagnosed with diabetes within a year and as such, majority did not have any micro- or macrovascular complications. The most common diabetes complication was sensory neuropathy detected by monofilament testing, which was found in 28% of participants, followed by non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy in 13%. A history of previous diabetic ketoacidosis was found in 10 patients (2.87%). Glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) and insulin auto-antibodies were found in 3.2% and 19.3% of participants, respectively. Approximately half (51.73%) of the participants were insulin resistant by HOMA-IR.

CONCLUSION

In contrast with Caucasians and other Asians, diabetes among young Filipino adults is associated with lower BMI but with a similarly high visceral adiposity as shown by an elevated WHR. Metabolic syndrome with insulin resistance as defined by a variety of indices is predominant. Type 1 diabetes with autoantibodies occur in only a small fraction of this population. Data derived from this work can provide a framework for cluster analysis towards personalized management specific to this population.

Human ; Acids ; Adiponectin ; Adiposity ; Adult ; Aged ; Antibodies ; Asia ; Asian ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Autoantibodies ; Body Mass Index ; C-peptide ; Carboxy-lyases ; Child ; Cluster Analysis ; Demography ; Diabetes Complications ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Diabetic Ketoacidosis ; Diabetic Retinopathy ; Diagnosis ; Fasting ; Female ; Glucose ; Glucose Tolerance Test ; Glutamate Decarboxylase ; Glutamic Acid ; Insulin ; Insulin Resistance ; Ketosis ; Leptin ; Lipids ; Metabolic Syndrome ; Obesity ; Patients ; Peptides ; Phenotype ; Philippines ; Population ; Prevalence ; Serum ; Therapeutics ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyroid Function Tests ; Young Adult

Objectives: This study described the clinical profile of patients with keratoconus at a single tertiary referral hospital. Methods: This was a single-center, retrospective, cross-sectional study that reviewed medical records of patients diagnosed with keratoconus from January 2015 to August 2022. Data on the clinical profile, intervention, and clinical outcomes were collected from the chart review. Results: Forty (40) patients (79 eyes) were included in the study. Majority (98%) had bilateral disease in which 22 (55.5%) were affected asymmetrically. The mean age was 21 years. Most patients (72.5%) were male. Blurring of vision was the chief complaint in all patients. Atopy was present in 23 patients (57.5%). History of vigorous eye rubbing was present in 31 (77.5%). The mean interval from onset of symptoms to consult was 46.4 ± 33.38 months. The mean pinhole corrected distance visual acuity was 0.47 ± 0.41 (Snellen equivalent of 20/59). The average spherical equivalent was -7.48D ± 6.99D. Corneal protrusion on slit-lamp biomicroscopy was seen in 78 eyes (98.7%). Other findings included Fleischer ring (53.2%), Vogt's striae (19.0%), and apical corneal scar (24.0%). Only one eye (1.3%) had no corneal findings. Thirty-nine eyes (49.3%) were classified as advancedsevere keratoconus. Rigid contact lens was planned for 60 eyes (75.9%). Sixty-two eyes (78.5%) were for collagen cross-linking. Deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty was planned in 10 eyes (12.7%) and penetrating keratoplasty in two eyes (2.5%). Conclusion Keratoconus at the Philippine General Hospital was most frequently seen in young males and asymmetrically affects both eyes. Patients consulted relatively late and presented with a more advanced stage of the disease. History of ocular allergy and eye rubbing were significant risk factors. Improving awareness of this condition must be emphasized to detect keratoconus earlier.
Keratoconus ; Cornea ; Demography ; Philippines

Background: The majority of women described hysterosalpingography (HSG) as a painful procedure. There is little information on the features of HSG-associated pain and factors that predispose to increased pain experience. Objectives: This study investigated preprocedure psychological state and related demographic factors as predictors of pain perception in women undergoing HSG. Methods: The sample included 99 women selected through consecutive sampling at the Radiology Department, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria. The study utilized a cross-sectional survey design to collect data using Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Zung Self-rating Depression Scale, and Visual Analog Scale for the perception of pain and state anxiety. Results: The women with lower state anxiety reported significantly lower pain perception (X̅ = 6.69) than the women with high anxiety (X̅ = 7.93). Trait anxiety, state anxiety, and depression jointly predicted pain perception among the women undergoing HSG, with R2 = 0.117, F (3,95) = 6.797; P < 0.001. They collectively accounted for about 17.7% variance in pain perception. Conclusion Patients being prepared for the HSG procedure can be educated on concerns related to anxiety and coping strategies and be provided with anxiolytics or other medication as clinically indicated.
Demography ; Pain Perception ; Women

Objective: To investigate the demographic characteristics and clinical influencing factors which associates with the occurrence probability of persistent or intermittent hypoviremia (LLV) in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) treated with nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs). Methods: A single-center retrospective analysis was performed on patients with CHB who received outpatient NAs therapy for≥48 ± 2 weeks. According to the serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA load at 48±2 weeks treatment, the study groups were divided into LLV (HBV DNA < 20 IU/ml and < 2 000 IU/ml) and MVR group (sustained virological response, HBV DNA < 20 IU/ml). Demographic characteristics and clinical data at the start of NAs treatment (considered as baseline) were retrospectively collected for both patient groups. The differences in the reduction of HBV DNA load during treatment was compared between the two groups. Correlation and multivariate analysis were further conducted to analyze the associated factors influencing the LLV occurrence. Statistical analysis was performed using the independent samples t-test, c2 test, Spearman analysis, multivariate logistic regression analysis, or area under the receiver operating characteristic curve. Results: A total of 509 cases were enrolled, with 189 and 320 in the LLV and MVR groups, respectively. Compared to patients with MVR group at baseline: (1) the demographics characteristics of patients showed that LLV group was younger in age (39.1 years, P = 0.027), had a stronger family history (60.3%, P = 0.001), 61.9% received ETV treatment, and higher proportion of compensated cirrhosis (20.6%, P = 0.025) at baseline; (2) the serum virological characteristics of patients showed that LLV group had higher HBV DNA load, qHBsAg level, qHBeAg level, HBeAg positive rate, and the proportion of genotype C HBV infection but decreased HBV DNA during treatment (P < 0.001) at baseline; (3) the biochemical characteristics of patients showed that LLV group had lower serum ALT levels (P = 0.007) at baseline; (4) the noninvasive fibrosis markers of patients showed that LLV group were characterized by high aspartate aminotransferase platelet ratio index (APRI) (P = 0.02) and FIB-4 (P = 0.027) at baseline. HBV DNA, qHBsAg and qHBeAg were positively correlated with LLV occurrence (r = 0.559, 0.344, 0.435, respectively), while age and HBV DNA reduction were negatively correlated (r = -0.098, -0.876, respectively). Logistic regression analysis showed that ETV treatment history, high HBV DNA load at baseline, high qHBsAg level, high qHBeAg level, HBeAg positive, low ALT and HBV DNA level were independent risk factors for patients with CHB who developed LLV with NAs treatment. Multivariate prediction model had a good predictive value for LLV occurrence [AUC 0.922 (95%CI: 0.897 ~ 0.946)]. Conclusion: In this study, 37.1% of CHB patients treated with first-line NAs has LLV. The formation of LLV is influenced by various factors. HBeAg positivity, genotype C HBV infection, high baseline HBV DNA load, high qHBsAg level, high qHBeAg level, high APRI or FIB-4 value, low baseline ALT level, reduced HBV DNA during treatment, concomitant family history, metabolic liver disease history, and age < 40 years old are potential risk factors for developing LLV in patients with CHB during the therapeutic process.
Humans ; Adult ; Hepatitis B, Chronic/complications* ; Retrospective Studies ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; DNA, Viral ; Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use* ; Hepatitis B virus/genetics* ; Demography

Objective: To explore the impacts of socio-demographic and clinical co-variates on treatment responses and outcomes in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia in the chronic phase (CML-CP) receiving tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) and identified the predictive models for them. Methods: Data of newly diagnosed adult patients with CML-CP receiving first-line TKI and having complete socio-demographic data and clinical information were reviewed. Cox model was used to identify the independent variables associated with complete cytogenetic response (CCyR) , major molecular response (MMR) , molecular response 4 (MR(4)) and molecular response 4.5 (MR(4.5)) , as well as failure-free survival (FFS) , progression-free survival (PFS) , overall survival (OS) and CML-related OS. Results: A total of 1414 CML-CP patients treated with first-line imatinib (n=1176) , nilotinib (n=170) or dasatinib (n=68) were reviewed. Median age was 40 (18-83) years and 873 patients (61.7% ) were males. Result of the multivariate analysis showed that lower educational level (P<0.001-0.070) and EUTOS long-term survival intermediate or high-risk (P<0.001-0.009) were significantly associated with lower cumulative incidences of CCyR, MMR, MR(4) and MR(4.5), as well as the inferior FFS, PFS, OS and CML-related OS. In addition, those who were males, from rural households, had white blood cells (WBC) ≥120×10(9)/L, hemoglobin (HGB) <115 g/L and treated with first-line imatinib had significantly lower cumulative incidences of cytogenetic and/or molecular responses. Being single, divorced or widowed, having, rural household registration, WBC≥120×10(9)/L, HGB<15 g/L, and comorbidity (ies) was significantly associated with inferior FFS, PFS, OS, and/or CML-related OS. Thereafter, the patients were classified into several subgroups using the socio-demographic characteristics and clinical variables by cytogenetic and molecular responses, treatment failure and disease progression, as well as overall survival and CML-related OS, respectively. There were significant differences in treatment responses and outcomes among the subgroups (P<0.001) . Conclusion: Except for clinical co-variates, socio-demographic co-variates significantly correlated with TKI treatment responses and outcomes in CML-CP patients. Models established by the combination of independent socio-demographic and clinical co-variates could effectively predict the responses and outcome.
Adult ; Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use* ; Dasatinib/therapeutic use* ; Demography ; Humans ; Imatinib Mesylate/therapeutic use* ; Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive/drug therapy* ; Male ; Protein Kinase Inhibitors/therapeutic use* ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

Aimed to explore the trends in physical activity among Chinese children, data of 4,341 children aged 6-17 years who participated in at least one round of "China Health and Nutrition Survey" from 2004 to 2015 were analyzed. Repeated measures mixed models were applied to test the trends in physical activity, which were further analyzed after applying stratification on gender, age, urbanization level, residential area and region. The volume of total physical activity in Chinese children aged 6-17 years showed a downward trend from 2004 to 2015, especially among children residing in medium and high urbanization communities, the south and urban areas of China, so that more efforts need to be put to promote their physical activity.
Adolescent ; Child ; China ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Demography ; Exercise ; Female ; Health Surveys ; Humans ; Male ; Socioeconomic Factors