BACKGROUND

Intraoperative transfusion for gynecologic surgery, when appropriately used, can improve patient outcomes. However, when utilized incorrectly, blood transfusion can worsen patient outcomes and increase patient cost. This study aimed to evaluate the blood transfusion practices of tertiary hospitals in the Philippines.

The study utilized a cross-sectional design wherein prospective data were gathered through multiple sources across seven tertiary-level hospitals. Women admitted to undergo gynecologic surgery were recruited based on a set of criteria. A chart review was conducted, and blood utilization indices were calculated. Outcomes were compared between public versus private facilities and transfused versus nontransfused patients.

Among 514 patients, 79.7% underwent cross-matching and 75.1% received transfusions. Adverse events were rare, with no transfusion-related deaths. The overall crossmatch-to-transfusion ratio (C/T ratio) was 2.8, exceeding the 2.5 optimal benchmark; all public hospitals recorded a C/T ratio >2.5, whereas private centers had more efficient usage. Six hospitals met acceptable benchmarks for transfusion probability and transfusion index. Open abdominal procedures, particularly hysterectomy, accounted for the most blood used. Transfused patients had longer operative times, greater blood loss, lower preoperative hemoglobin, and more frequently involved resident physicians in training. Public hospitals recorded higher cross-match and transfusion rates, greater resident physician participation, and broader use of general anesthesia.

Results of the study highlight the importance of monitoring blood transfusion parameters to optimize blood utilization. The observed differences between public and private institutions in the country highlight the urgent need for standardized and evidence-based practice to ensure efficient transfusion protocols nationwide.

Purinergic P2Y Receptor Antagonists ; Consensus ; Cardiovascular System ; Cardiology ; Asia

Objective: To explore the long-term effect of combined surgery for the treatment of congenital tibial pseudarthrosis in children. Methods: The clinical data of 44 children with congenital tibial pseudarthrosis who underwent combined surgery (tibial pseudarthrosis tissue resection, intramedullary rod fixation, Ilizarov external fixator fixation, wrapped autologous iliac bone graft) from August 2007 to October 2011 at the Department of Pediatric Orthopedics, Hunan Children's Hospital were collected retrospectively. There were 33 males and 11 females. The age at the time of surgery was (3.7±2.2)years (range:0.6 to 12.4 years), including 25 cases under 3 years old and 19 cases above 3 years old.Among them, 37 cases were complicated with neurofibromatosis type 1.The operation status, postoperative complications and follow-up results were recorded. Results: The follow-up time after surgery was (10.9±0.7)years (range:10 to 11 years).Thirty-nine out of 44 patients (88.6%) achieved initial healing of tibial pseudarthrosis, with an average healing time of (4.3±1.1)months (range:3 to 10months).In the last follow-up, 36 cases (81.8%) had unequal tibial length, 20 cases (45.4%) had refractures, 18 cases (40.9%) had ankle valgus, 9 cases (20.4%) had proximal tibial valgus, and 11 cases (25.0%) had high arched feet.Nine cases (20.4%) developed distal tibial epiphyseal plate bridging.17 cases (38.6%) had abnormal tibial mechanical axis.Seven cases (15.9%) developed needle infection, and one case (2.3%) developed tibial osteomyelitis. 21 patients (47.7%) had excessive growth of the affected femur.Five patients (11.3%) had ankle stiffness, and 34 patients (77.2%) had intramedullary rod displacement that was not in the center of the tibial medullary cavity.Among them, 8 cases (18.1%) protruded the tibial bone cortex and underwent intramedullary rod removal.18 children have reached skeletal maturity, while 26 children have not been followed up until skeletal maturity. Conclusion: Combined surgery for the treatment of congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia in children has a high initial healing rate, but complications such as unequal tibia length, refracture, and ankle valgus occur during long-term follow-up, requiring multiple surgical treatments.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Pseudarthrosis/congenital* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Retrospective Studies ; Tibia/surgery* ; Neurofibromatosis 1 ; Tibial Fractures/surgery*

INTRODUCTION: Infant gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a significant cause of concern to parents. This study seeks to describe GERD prevalence in infants, evaluate possible risk factors and assess common beliefs influencing management of GERD among Asian parents. METHODS: Mother-infant dyads in the Singapore PREconception Study of long-Term maternal and child Outcomes (S-PRESTO) cohort were prospectively followed from preconception to 12 months post-delivery. GERD diagnosis was ascertained through the revised Infant Gastroesophageal Reflux Questionnaire (I-GERQ-R) administered at 4 time points during infancy. Data on parental perceptions and lifestyle modifications were also collected. RESULTS: The prevalence of infant GERD peaked at 26.5% at age 6 weeks, decreasing to 1.1% by 12 months. Infants exclusively breastfed at 3 weeks of life had reduced odds of GERD by 1 year (adjusted odds ratio 0.43, 95% confidence interval 0.19-0.97, P=0.04). Elimination of "cold or heaty food" and "gas producing" vegetables, massaging the infant's abdomen and application of medicated oil to the infant's abdomen were quoted as major lifestyle modifications in response to GERD symptoms. CONCLUSION Prevalence of GERD in infants is highest in the first 3 months of life, and the majority outgrow it by 1 year of age. Infants exclusively breastfed at 3 weeks had reduced odds of GERD. Cultural-based changes such as elimination of "heaty or cold" food influence parental perceptions in GERD, which are unique to the Asian population. Understanding the cultural basis for parental perceptions and health-seeking behaviours is crucial in tailoring patient education appropriately for optimal management of infant GERD.
Female ; Gastroesophageal Reflux/epidemiology* ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Parents/psychology* ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Singapore/epidemiology*

INTRODUCTION: This study examined maternal, delivery and infant factors associated with cord thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) concentrations in an Asian population. METHODS: The Growing Up in Singapore Towards healthy Outcomes (GUSTO) study is a mother-offspring birth cohort from 2 major hospitals in Singapore. Cord serum TSH was measured using the Abbott ARCHITECT TSH Chemiluminescent Microparticle Immunoassay and the ADVIA Centaur TSH-3 Immunoassay. After excluding infants with a maternal history of thyroid disease, screening cord TSH results from 604 infants were available for multivariable regression analysis in relation to the factors of interest. RESULTS: Babies born by vaginal delivery had significantly higher cord serum TSH concentrations than babies born by caesarean section. Cord serum TSH concentrations differed significantly by measurement method. There was no association of cord TSH concentrations with ethnicity, sex, birth weight, gestational age, maternal body mass index, gestational weight gain, gestational diabetes mellitus status and other maternal, delivery and infant factors studied. CONCLUSION Interpretation of cord serum TSH results may need to take into account mode of delivery and measurement method.

Objective: To investigate frailty progress status and related factors in the elderly living in communities. Methods: A cohort of elderly people aged 65 and over in Pingyi community of Dujiangyan, Sichuan province, was established. Face-to-face questionnaire survey was conducted by trained interviewers. The frailty status, cognitive function, nutrition status and other functions of the subjects surveyed were evaluated at baseline survey and during follow-up. The socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of the subjects surveyed were assessed at baseline survey. Binary logistic regressions were used to identify factors associated with frailty progress. Results: A total of 653 elderly people were surveyed in January 2014, and 507 elderly people were followed up while 146 elderly people terminated further follow-up in January 2017. The prevalence rates of frailty and pre-frailty at baseline survey were 11.2% (n=57) and 26.2% (n=133), respectively. After 3 years, 205 subjects (40.4%) surveyed experienced frailty progress, 276 (54.5%) remained to be in frailty state at baseline survey, and 26 (5.1%) had improvement. Disability (OR=8.27, 95%CI: 1.62-42.26), visual problem (OR=2.02, 95%CI: 1.27-3.22), cognitive impairment (OR=1.94, 95%CI: 1.08-3.48), poor self-rated health (OR=1.89, 95%CI: 1.07-3.31), chronic pain (OR=1.57, 95%CI: 1.03-2.40) and older age (OR=1.12, 95%CI: 1.08-1.17) were independently associated with the progress of frailty. In contract, overweight was a protective factor (OR=0.54, 95%CI: 0.34-0.85). Conclusions: Frailty is a dynamic syndrome affected by several socio-demographic factors and geriatric factors. The results of the study can be used in the prevention of frailty progress in the elderly in communities.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; China/epidemiology* ; Frail Elderly/statistics & numerical data* ; Frailty ; Geriatric Assessment/statistics & numerical data* ; Humans ; Prospective Studies ; Quality of Life/psychology* ; Surveys and Questionnaires

The Ministry of Health (MOH) has updated the Clinical Practice Guidelines on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) to provide doctors and patients in Singapore with evidence-based treatment for COPD. This article reproduces the introduction and executive summary (with recommendations from the guidelines) from the MOH Clinical Practice Guidelines on COPD, for the information of SMJ readers. Chapters and page numbers mentioned in the reproduced extract refer to the full text of the guidelines, which are available from the Ministry of Health website: https://www.moh.gov.sg/content/moh_web/healthprofessionalsportal/doctors/guidelines/cpg_medical.html. The recommendations should be used with reference to the full text of the guidelines. Following this article are multiple choice questions based on the full text of the guidelines.
Adult ; Aged ; Evidence-Based Medicine ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Palliative Care ; Prevalence ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Pulmonary Medicine ; standards ; Quality Improvement ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Risk Factors ; Singapore ; Steroids ; therapeutic use

Objective: To assess the association and intensity of baseline TC level with the incidence of lung cancer in men in China. Methods: Since May 2006, all the male workers, including the employees and the retirees in Kailuan Group were recruited in the Kailuan male dynamic cohort study. Information about demographics, medical history, anthropometry and TC level were collected at the baseline interview, as well as the information of newly-diagnosed lung cancer cases during the follow-up period. According to guidelines for blood lipids in Chinese adults and the distribution in the population, TC level was classified into five groups as followed: <160, 160-, 180-, 200- and ≥240 mg/dl, with the second quintile group (160- mg/dl) serving as the referent category. Cox proportional hazards regression model and restricted cubic spline (RCS) model were used to evaluate the association and the nonlinear association between baseline TC level and the risk of lung cancer in the men. Results: By December 31, 2014, for the 109 884 men, a follow up of 763 819.25 person-years was made with a median follow-up period of 7.88 years. During the follow up, 808 lung cancer cases were identified. After adjustment for age, education level, income level, smoking status, alcohol consumption level, history of dust exposure, FPG level and BMI, HR (95%CI) of lung cancer for men with lower TC level (<160 mg/dl) and higher TC level (≥240 mg/dl) were 1.34 (1.04- 1.72) and 1.45 (1.09-1.92), respectively, compared with men with normal TC level (160- mg/dl). The results didn't change significantly after exclusion of newly diagnosed cancer cases within 2 years of follow up and subjects with the history of hyperlipidemia. Conclusion: Our results showed that TC might be associated with higher risk of lung cancer. Men with lower TC level or higher TC level had higher risk for lung cancer. Keep moderate TC level might be one of the effective precaution for the prevention of lung cancer.
Adult ; Asian People ; China/epidemiology* ; Cholesterol/blood* ; Cohort Studies ; Humans ; Incidence ; Lipids ; Lung Neoplasms/ethnology* ; Male ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Factors

Objective: To investigate the changes of proportion on both consistent condom use and syphilis infection among low-fee female sex workers aged 35 and above (LFSW), in order to provide evidence for targeted intervention strategies. Methods: A total of six cities-Liuzhou city and Pingnan couty of Guigang city of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Jinghong city of Xishuangbanna Dai autonomous prefecture and Dali city of Dali Bai autonomous prefecture of Yunnan province, Zhangjiajie city and Jianghua Yao autonomous county of Yongzhou city Hunan province were involved in this study, with 60 eligible participants needed in each city, estimated through a pre-study. The first cross-sectional survey was completed from October 2012 to January 2013. Face-to-face questionnaire interview was carried out to collect information on socio-demography, work-related information and condom use situation. Blood was collected for syphilis testing. The second cross-sectional survey was carried out from June to September, 2015 under the same procedure. Results: A total of 371 and 403 eligible participants were included in the first and second survey, respectively. When comparing the two surveys, we noticed that the average age showed a slight change, from 42.4 years to 43.8 years old (t=3.537, P<0.001) and the average price for every commercial sex exchange increased from 36.8 RMB to 49.5 RMB (t=11.961, P<0.001). In the first survey, 46.9% (174/371) of the participants had more than two years of experience working as LFSW, compared to 61.3% (247/403) in the second survey (χ(2)=16.125, P<0.001). Also, 46.9% (174/371) of the participants consistently used condoms with clients in the past month in the first survey versus 64.3% (259/403) (χ(2)=23.641, P<0.001) in the second one. Rates of syphilis infection were found from 15.9% (59/371) in the first survey reduced to 7.2% (29/403) in the second survey (χ(2)=14.533, P<0.001). Conclusion: Compared with the first survey, the proportion of consistent condoms use showed an increase. Although the proportion of syphilis infection decreased in the second survey, the scope did not meet the criteria on syphilis, set by the government. Targeted intervention strategies on condom promotion and syphilis control should be implemented consistently in this population.
Adult ; China/epidemiology* ; Condoms/trends* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Safe Sex ; Sex Work ; Sex Workers ; Sexually Transmitted Diseases/epidemiology* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Syphilis/prevention & control* ; Syphilis Serodiagnosis

Objective: To explore the relationship between frailty syndrome and falls in the elderly diabetics, in the communities. Methods: A three-year cohort study involving 653 community-dwelling adults who were over 65 years of age and participated in the Survey of Disease, Psychological and Social Needs in Dujiangyan Pingyi Community. Diabetic patients would include those who self-reported as having histories of diabetes or on anti-hyperglycemic therapies. Frailty, functional and other geriatric status were assessed respectively. Falls was defined as having had multiple falls or at least one event but with injury. Results: The highest prevalence of falls was found in the group of frail diabetic group (62.5%). Data showed that baseline frailty was associated with falls in both diabetic and non-diabetic groups but the odds ratio in the diabetic group was higher than that of the non-diabetic group (OR=3.87, 95%CI: 1.45-10.28 vs. OR=6.68, 95%CI: 1.14-38.99). Conclusion: Frailty could be used as a strong clinical predictor to prevent falls, for the elderly diabetic Chinese living in the communities.
Accidental Falls/statistics & numerical data* ; Aged ; Cohort Studies ; Frail Elderly/statistics & numerical data* ; Frailty/epidemiology* ; Geriatric Assessment/methods* ; Humans ; Independent Living ; Odds Ratio ; Prevalence ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Assessment/methods* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Syndrome