1.A cross-sectional study on the prevalence and risk factors of erectile dysfunction among young and middle-aged male patients with diabetes mellitus at a Tertiary Hospital in Manila.
Edmond R. DAVID ; Elaine C. CUNANAN ; Erick S. MENDOZA
Journal of Medicine University of Santo Tomas 2026;10(1):1827-1836
This study aims to determine the prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) and identify its associated risk factors among young and middle-aged Filipino male patients diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. This study utilized a cross-sectional design to investigate the prevalence and associated factors of ED among male patients with diabetes. A total of 423 participants were recruited from clinical settings using purposive sampling. Data were collected using structured interviews and medical records, including demographics, comorbidities and laboratory results. Among 423 male diabetic patients, 78% were found to have ED. Patients with ED were significantly older (median: 49.5 versus 42 years, p<0.001), had higher body mass index (BMI), longer diabetes duration and more comorbidities. Univariable logistic regression showed that age (OR: 1.06, p<0.001), diabetes duration (OR: 1.11, p<0.001), hypertension (OR: 1.62, p = 0.042), dyslipidemia (OR: 1.75, p = 0.022), elevated HbA1c (>9.0%; OR: 3.43, p = 0.034) and serum creatinine (OR: 1.01, p = 0.008) were significantly associated with ED. However, none remained significant in the multivariable model. Male Filipino patients with diabetes have a significant burden of ED. Results of the univariable models show that age, duration of diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, HbA1c and serum creatinine are significant individual predictors of ED.
Human ; Male ; Adolescent: 13-18 Yrs Old ; Young Adult: 19-24 Yrs Old ; Adult: 25-44 Yrs Old ; Middle Aged: 45-64 Yrs Old ; Aged: 65-79 Yrs Old ; Tertiary Care Centers ; Risk Factors ; Risk ; Medical Records ; Erectile Dysfunction ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Philippines
2.Risk factors of presence and severity of diabetic retinopathy in a Tertiary Hospital.
Gertrude Camille Crisostomo REYES ; Mark Henry JOVEN
Philippine Journal of Internal Medicine 2026;64(1):43-55
BACKGROUND
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) remains to be the leading cause of blindness worldwide. Traditionally, risk factors such as diabetes duration, HbA1c levels, hypertension and dyslipidemia have been closely linked to the development of this condition. However, recent research suggests that these factors account for only a portion of DR cases. Emerging studies highlight additional potential risk factors including diabetic nephropathy, insulin use, and body mass index -though data on these factors remain limited and at times contradictory. While there have been a few local studies exploring some of these variables, none have comprehensively examined how these factors collectively influence the occurrence and severity of diabetic retinopathy. This study aims to asses both the factors associated with presence and occurrence of diabetic retinopathy.
METHODOLOGYThis analytical cross-sectional study included patients with diabetes (n=201, aged 18 years and older) who underwent fundus photography at The Medical City Ortigas between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2022. Data collection involved a thorough review of patient records, which provided demographic information and details on potential risk factors. The presence and severity of diabetic retinopathy (DR) were assessed based on fundus photography results, as interpreted by ophthalmologists. To evaluate the statistical significance of the association between risk factors and DR status, logistic regression analysis was done
RESULTSDuration of diabetes (odds ratio [OR] 1.07; 95% CI, 1.01-1.13 per year increase), HBA1c (OR 1.4; 95% CI, 1.1-1.86),
fasting blood sugar (OR 1.4; 95% CI, 0.977-0.998), hypercholesterolemia (OR 5.02; 95% CI 1.67-16.44) and presence of
nephropathy (OR 3.39; 95% CI 1.49-8) were correlated with diabetic retinopathy.
The presence of diabetic retinopathy was significantly associated with several clinical factors. Each additional year of diabetes mellitus duration was associated with a 1.07-fold increase in the likelihood of DR. Additionally, each 1% increase in HbA1c was linked to a 1.40-fold increase in DR risk. The presence of diabetic nephropathy and hypercholesterolemia were also strong predictors, associated with a 3.39-fold and 5-fold increase in the likelihood of DR, respectively. Glycemic control, dyslipidemia and nephropathy appear to be associated with more severe forms of diabetic retinopathy. Clinicians handling diabetes patients with this patient profile should be wary of this diabetes complication.
Human ; Male ; Female ; Adolescent: 13-18 Yrs Old ; Young Adult: 19-24 Yrs Old ; Adult: 25-44 Yrs Old ; Diabetic Retinopathy ; Hospitals ; Risk ; Risk Factors ; Tertiary Care Centers
3.Pattern of lymph node metastasis and p53 abnormal (p53abn) expression in preoperative early-stage endometrial cancer: A 5-year institutional experience.
Angeli Anne C. Ang ; Carolyn R. Zalameda-Castro ; Cecile C. Dungog ; Michele H. Diwa ; Karen Cybelle J. Sotalbo
Acta Medica Philippina 2026;60(8):98-106
BACKGROUND
Early-stage endometrial cancer often presents with favorable survival rates, but high-risk factors, including TP53 mutations and high-grade serous pathology, can lead to recurrence and poor prognosis. The standard primary treatment for endometrial cancer is surgical staging, and lymph node metastases significantly impact adjuvant therapy decisions. The subgroup of p53-abnormal (p53abn) indicates the worst prognosis and potential benefits from adjuvant chemotherapy. Molecular classification, while recommended, faces practical challenges due to resource constraints.
OBJECTIVESThe study aimed to assess the incidence of p53 abnormal expression in clinical stage 1 endometrial cancer cases that underwent surgery at a government tertiary hospital, and assess its relationship with clinicopathologic factors and pelvic and paraaortic lymph node metastasis (LNM).
METHODSA cross-sectional retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical early-stage endometrial cancer cases that underwent surgical primary treatment between January 2018 and December 2022. Patient records were reviewed to gather demographics, surgical information, and pathological evaluations. Preoperative clinical staging was determined through imaging, and surgical staging involved comprehensive lymphadenectomy. Immunohistochemistry studies for p53 were carried out on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue samples.
RESULTSA total of 233 endometrial cancer cases were included. The mean age at diagnosis was 53.7 years. Common comorbidities included hypertension (47.2%) and dyslipidemia (20.6%). Most cases were endometrioid histology (82.8%) and low-grade tumors (85.8%). Tumor grade (p=0.010), myometrial invasion (p<0.001) and lymphovascular space invasion (p<0.001) significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis. However, tumor size and p53abn were not significantly associated with lymph node metastasis. p53abn overexpression was significantly associated with non-endometrioid histology at 33% and Grade 3 tumors at 23%. Preoperative grading demonstrated moderate reliability (0.51) with postoperative grading, with an agreement of 65.4%.
CONCLUSIONTumor grade, myometrial invasion, and LVSI were all significantly associated with lymph node involvement. While p53 immunohistochemical stains show promise in predicting metastasis and has been associated with tumor aggressiveness, this should still be correlated with clinicopathological parameters to carry out a more accurate risk stratification of early-stage patients.
Therapeutics ; Survival Rate ; Risk Factors ; Recurrence ; Prognosis ; Pathology ; Endometrial Neoplasms ; Immunohistochemistry ; Tumor Suppressor Protein P53 ; Lymph Node Excision ; Risk Assessment
4.Association between Fish Consumption and Stroke Incidence Across Different Predicted Risk Populations: A Prospective Cohort Study from China.
Hong Yue HU ; Fang Chao LIU ; Ke Yong HUANG ; Chong SHEN ; Jian LIAO ; Jian Xin LI ; Chen Xi YUAN ; Ying LI ; Xue Li YANG ; Ji Chun CHEN ; Jie CAO ; Shu Feng CHEN ; Dong Sheng HU ; Jian Feng HUANG ; Xiang Feng LU ; Dong Feng GU
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(1):15-26
OBJECTIVE:
The relationship between fish consumption and stroke is inconsistent, and it is uncertain whether this association varies across predicted stroke risks.
METHODS:
A cohort study comprising 95,800 participants from the Prediction for Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk in China project was conducted. A standardized questionnaire was used to collect data on fish consumption. Participants were stratified into low- and moderate-to-high-risk categories based on their 10-year stroke risk prediction scores. Hazard ratios ( HRs) and 95% confidence intervals ( CIs) were estimated using Cox proportional hazard models and additive interaction by relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI), attributable proportion (AP), and synergy index (SI).
RESULTS:
During 703,869 person-years of follow-up, 2,773 incident stroke events were identified. Higher fish consumption was associated with a lower risk of stroke, particularly among moderate-to-high-risk individuals ( HR = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.47-0.60) than among low-risk individuals ( HR = 0.64, 95% CI: 0.49-0.85). A significant additive interaction between fish consumption and predicted stroke risk was observed (RERI = 4.08, 95% CI: 2.80-5.36; SI = 1.64, 95% CI: 1.42-1.89; AP = 0.36, 95% CI: 0.28-0.43).
CONCLUSION
Higher fish consumption was associated with a lower risk of stroke, and this beneficial association was more pronounced in individuals with moderate-to-high stroke risk.
Humans
;
China/epidemiology*
;
Male
;
Female
;
Stroke/etiology*
;
Middle Aged
;
Prospective Studies
;
Incidence
;
Aged
;
Animals
;
Fishes
;
Risk Factors
;
Diet
;
Seafood
;
Adult
;
Cohort Studies
5.Glycemic Control and Diabetes Duration in Relation to Subsequent Myocardial Infarction among Patients with Coronary Heart Disease and Type 2 Diabetes.
Fu Rong LI ; Yan DOU ; Chun Bao MO ; Shuang WANG ; Jing ZHENG ; Dong Feng GU ; Feng Chao LIANG
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(1):27-36
OBJECTIVE:
This study aimed to investigate the impact of glycemic control and diabetes duration on subsequent myocardial infarction (MI) in patients with both coronary heart disease (CHD) and type 2 diabetes (T2D).
METHODS:
We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 33,238 patients with both CHD and T2D in Shenzhen, China. Patients were categorized into 6 groups based on baseline fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels and diabetes duration (from the date of diabetes diagnosis to the baseline date) to examine their combined effects on subsequent MI. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used, with further stratification by age, sex, and comorbidities to assess potential interactions.
RESULTS:
Over a median follow-up of 2.4 years, 2,110 patients experienced MI. Compared to those with optimal glycemic control (FPG < 6.1 mmol/L) and shorter diabetes duration (< 10 years), the fully-adjusted hazard ratio ( HR) (95% Confidence Interval [95% CI]) for those with a diabetes duration of ≥ 10 years and FPG > 8.0 mmol/L was 1.93 (95% CI: 1.59, 2.36). The combined effects of FPG and diabetes duration on MI were largely similar across different age, sex, and comorbidity groups, although the excess risk of MI associated with long-term diabetes appeared to be more pronounced among those with atrial fibrillation.
CONCLUSION
Our study indicates that glycemic control and diabetes duration significant influence the subsequent occurrence of MI in patients with both CHD and T2D. Tailored management strategies emphasizing strict glycemic control may be particularly beneficial for patients with longer diabetes duration and atrial fibrillation.
Humans
;
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/blood*
;
Male
;
Female
;
Middle Aged
;
Aged
;
Coronary Disease/complications*
;
Myocardial Infarction/etiology*
;
Retrospective Studies
;
China/epidemiology*
;
Glycemic Control
;
Blood Glucose
;
Adult
;
Risk Factors
;
Time Factors
6.Association between Non-high-density Lipoprotein Cholesterol to High-density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Ratio (NHHR) and Stroke among Adults in the USA: A Cross-Sectional NHANES Study.
Hai Xia MA ; Hua Qiu CHEN ; Pei Chang WANG
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(1):37-46
OBJECTIVE:
The relationship between non-high-density lipoprotein (NHDL) cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio (NHHR) and stoke remains unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the association between the adult NHHR and stroke occurrence in the United States of America (USA).
METHODS:
To clarify the relationship between the NHHR and stroke risk, this study used a multivariable logistic regression model and a restricted cubic spline (RCS) model to investigate the association between the NHHR and stroke, and data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2005 to 2018. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were conducted to test the robustness of the results.
RESULTS:
This study included 29,928 adult participants, of which 1,165 participants had a history of stroke. Logistic regression analysis of variables demonstrated a positive association between NHHR and stroke ( OR 1.24, 95% CI: 1.03-1.50, P = 0.026). Compared with the lowest reference group of NHHR, participants in the second, third, and fourth quartile had a significantly increased risk of stroke after full adjustments ( OR: 1.35, 95% CI: 1.08-1.69) ( OR: 1.83, 95% CI: 1.42-2.36) ( OR: 2.04, 95% CI: 1.50-2.79). In the total population, a nonlinear dose-response relationship was observed between the NHHR and stroke risk ( P non-linearity = 0.002). This association remained significant in several subgroup analyses. Further investigation of the NHHR may enhance our understanding of stroke prevention and treatment.
CONCLUSION
Our findings suggest a positive correlation between the NHHR and an increased prevalence of stroke, potentially serving as a novel predictive factor for stroke. Timely intervention and management of the NHHR may effectively mitigate stroke occurrence. Prospective studies are required to validate this association and further explore the underlying biological mechanisms.
Humans
;
Stroke/blood*
;
United States/epidemiology*
;
Male
;
Female
;
Middle Aged
;
Cross-Sectional Studies
;
Nutrition Surveys
;
Adult
;
Aged
;
Cholesterol, HDL/blood*
;
Cholesterol/blood*
;
Risk Factors
7.Association of Co-Exposure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Metal(loid)s with the Risk of Neural Tube Defects: A Case-Control Study in Northern China.
Xiao Qian JIA ; Yuan LI ; Lei JIN ; Lai Lai YAN ; Ya Li ZHANG ; Ju Fen LIU ; Le ZHANG ; Linlin WANG ; Ai Guo REN ; Zhi Wen LI
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(2):154-166
OBJECTIVE:
Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) or metal(loid)s individually has been associated with neural tube defects (NTDs). However, the impacts of PAH and metal(loid) co-exposure and potential interaction effects on NTD risk remain unclear. We conducted a case-control study in China among population with a high prevalence of NTDs to investigate the combined effects of PAH and metal(loid) exposures on the risk of NTD.
METHODS:
Cases included 80 women who gave birth to offspring with NTDs, whereas controls were 50 women who delivered infants with no congenital malformations. We analyzed the levels of placental PAHs using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry, PAH-DNA adducts with 32P-post-labeling method, and metal(loid)s with an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer. Unconditional logistic regression was employed to estimate the associations between individual exposures and NTDs. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) penalized regression models were used to select a subset of exposures, while additive interaction models were used to identify interaction effects.
RESULTS:
In the single-exposure models, we found that eight PAHs, PAH-DNA adducts, and 28 metal(loid)s were associated with NTDs. Pyrene, selenium, molybdenum, cadmium, uranium, and rubidium were selected through LASSO regression and were statistically associated with NTDs in the multiple-exposure models. Women with high levels of pyrene and molybdenum or pyrene and selenium exhibited significantly increased risk of having offspring with NTDs, indicating that these combinations may have synergistic effects on the risk of NTDs.
CONCLUSION
Our findings suggest that individual PAHs and metal(loid)s, as well as their interactions, may be associated with the risk of NTDs, which warrants further investigation.
Humans
;
Neural Tube Defects/chemically induced*
;
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons/adverse effects*
;
Female
;
Case-Control Studies
;
China/epidemiology*
;
Adult
;
Pregnancy
;
Environmental Pollutants
;
Maternal Exposure/adverse effects*
;
Metals/toxicity*
;
Young Adult
;
Risk Factors
8.Causal Associations between Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM 2.5), PM 2.5 Absorbance, and Inflammatory Bowel Disease Risk: Evidence from a Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Study.
Xu ZHANG ; Zhi Meng WU ; Lu ZHANG ; Bing Long XIN ; Xiang Rui WANG ; Xin Lan LU ; Gui Fang LU ; Mu Dan REN ; Shui Xiang HE ; Ya Rui LI
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(2):167-177
OBJECTIVE:
Several epidemiological observational studies have related particulate matter (PM) exposure to Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but many confounding factors make it difficult to draw causal links from observational studies. The objective of this study was to explore the causal association between PM 2.5 exposure, its absorbance, and IBD.
METHODS:
We assessed the association of PM 2.5 and PM 2.5 absorbance with the two primary forms of IBD (Crohn's disease [CD] and ulcerative colitis [UC]) using Mendelian randomization (MR) to explore the causal relationship. We conducted two-sample MR analyses with aggregated data from the UK Biobank genome-wide association study. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms linked with PM 2.5 concentrations or their absorbance were used as instrumental variables (IVs). We used inverse variance weighting (IVW) as the primary analytical approach and four other standard methods as supplementary analyses for quality control.
RESULTS:
The results of MR demonstrated that PM 2.5 had an adverse influence on UC risk (odds ratio [ OR] = 1.010; 95% confidence interval [ CI] = 1.001-1.019, P = 0.020). Meanwhile, the results of IVW showed that PM 2.5 absorbance was also causally associated with UC ( OR = 1.012; 95% CI = 1.004-1.019, P = 0.002). We observed no causal relationship between PM 2.5, PM 2.5 absorbance, and CD. The results of sensitivity analysis indicated the absence of heterogeneity or pleiotropy, ensuring the reliability of MR results.
CONCLUSION
Based on two-sample MR analyses, there are potential positive causal relationships between PM 2.5, PM 2.5 absorbance, and UC.
Humans
;
Mendelian Randomization Analysis
;
Particulate Matter/analysis*
;
Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
;
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases/genetics*
;
Air Pollutants/analysis*
;
Crohn Disease/genetics*
;
Colitis, Ulcerative/genetics*
;
Genome-Wide Association Study
;
Risk Factors
;
Environmental Exposure
9.Environmental Temperature and the Risk of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease Transmission in the Yangtze River Region of China.
Yan Qing YANG ; Min CHEN ; Jin LI ; Kai Qi LIU ; Xue Yan GUO ; Xin XU ; Qian LIANG ; Xing Lu WU ; Su Wen LEI ; Jing LI
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(3):290-302
OBJECTIVE:
To assess health equity in the Yangtze River region to improve understanding of the correlation between hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) and socioeconomic factors.
METHODS:
From 2014-2016, data on HFMD incidence, population statistics, economic indicators, and meteorology from 26 cities along the Yangtze River were analyzed. A multi-city random-effects meta-analysis was performed to study the relationship between temperature and HFMD transmission, and health equity was assessed with respect to socio-economic impact.
RESULTS:
Over the study period, 919,458 HFMD cases were reported, with Shanghai (162,303) having the highest incidence and Tongling (5,513) having the lowest. Males were more commonly affected (male-to-female ratio, 1.49:1). The exposure-response relationship had an M-shaped curve, with two HFMD peaks occurring at 4 °C and 26 °C. The relative risk had two peaks at 1.30 °C (1.834, 95% CI: 1.204-2.794) and 31.4 °C (1.143, 95% CI: 0.901-1.451), forming an M shape, with the first peak higher than the second. The most significant impact of temperature on HFMD was observed between -2 °C and 18.1 °C. The concentration index (0.2463) indicated moderate concentration differences, whereas the Theil index (0.0418) showed low inequality in distribution.
CONCLUSION
The incidence of HFMD varied across cities, particularly with changes in temperature. Economically prosperous areas showed higher risks, indicating disparities. Targeted interventions in these areas are crucial for mitigating the risk of HFMD.
Female
;
Humans
;
Male
;
China/epidemiology*
;
Cities/epidemiology*
;
Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease/transmission*
;
Incidence
;
Risk Factors
;
Temperature
10.Predicting Postoperative Circulatory Complications in Older Patients: A Machine Learning Approach.
Xiao Yun HU ; Wei Xuan SHENG ; Kang YU ; Jie Tai DUO ; Peng Fei LIU ; Ya Wei LI ; Dong Xin WANG ; Hui Hui MIAO
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(3):328-340
OBJECTIVE:
This study examines utilizes the advantages of machine learning algorithms to discern key determinants in prognosticate postoperative circulatory complications (PCCs) for older patients.
METHODS:
This secondary analysis of data from a randomized controlled trial involved 1,720 elderly participants in five tertiary hospitals in Beijing, China. Participants aged 60-90 years undergoing major non-cardiac surgery under general anesthesia. The primary outcome metric of the study was the occurrence of PCCs, according to the European Society of Cardiology and the European Society of Anaesthesiology diagnostic criteria. The analysis metrics contained 67 candidate variables, including baseline characteristics, laboratory tests, and scale assessments.
RESULTS:
Our feature selection process identified key variables that significantly impact patient outcomes, including the duration of ICU stay, surgery, and anesthesia; APACHE-II score; intraoperative average heart rate and blood loss; cumulative opioid use during surgery; patient age; VAS-Move-Median score on the 1st to 3rd day; Charlson comorbidity score; volumes of intraoperative plasma, crystalloid, and colloid fluids; cumulative red blood cell transfusion during surgery; and endotracheal intubation duration. Notably, our Random Forest model demonstrated exceptional performance with an accuracy of 0.9872.
CONCLUSION
We have developed and validated an algorithm for predicting PCCs in elderly patients by identifying key risk factors.
Aged
;
Aged, 80 and over
;
Female
;
Humans
;
Male
;
Middle Aged
;
Cardiovascular Diseases/etiology*
;
Machine Learning
;
Postoperative Complications/etiology*
;
Risk Factors
;
Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
;
Secondary Data Analysis


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