BACKGROUND

Acne vulgaris is one of the common skin diseases prompting dermatologic consult. Although prevalent worldwide, knowledge of the public about acne is still lacking. Due to this, content related to acne vulgaris has been a topic of choice on social media platforms.

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 120 patients diagnosed with acne vulgaris aged 18-50 years-old consulting via teledermatology and face-to-face consultation at the Rizal Medical Center. Patients completed a self-administered questionnaire and global acne severity was assessed.

A total of 120 newly d iagnosed patients with acne vulgaris were included in the study, with a mean age of 23.25 years, with a female predominance, household average monthly income less than PhP 10,957 and with mild to moderate acne severity. Majority of the participants used social media to look for treatment options and to gain more knowledge about the disease. The most used platforms were Youtube, Facebook and Tiktok. Short videos were viewed more often and content from dermatologists were preferred. Most commonly tried products are over-the-counted non-pharmaceutical topical products. There was a significant association between the use of social media with age and educational attainment. Furthermore, a significant association between self-medication practices and average household monthly income was seen. No association was seen between acne severity, social media use and self-medication practices.

In summary, the use of social media to access acne-related content was prevalent among young female patients, of lower socioeconomic status diagnosed with mild-moderate acne severity at a tertiary hospital in the Philippines.

Acrodermatitis continua of Hallopeau (ACH) is a rare, chronic, and recalcitrant inflammatory disorder classified as a localized variant of pustular psoriasis. Patients usually present with relapsing episodes of subungual pustules, nail dystrophy, and scaling. We report a case of ACH in a 32-year-old female, which developed following a nail infection and exacerbated during pregnancy, with no medication for 2 years. She presented at the clinic with severe manifestations of anonychia and multiple bone resorption on the distal phalanges. The patient was started on topical medication of combination corticosteroid and vitamin D analogue and oral methotrexate initially at l0mg/week then increased to 15mg/week due to poor response. Despite compliance to medications and avoidance of possible irritants, the patient still had relapse of pustules on the nails.

Several treatment options for ACH are available such as topical steroids, vitamin D analogue, systemic biologics, and non-biologics such as methotrexate and cyclosporine. However, systemic biologics are considered the most efficacious for ACH but financial constraints often limit their use in resource-poor settings.

Problem: In September 2024, an illegal toxic waste dumping incident along the Tebrau River in Johor State, Malaysia, raised widespread health concerns in Johor Bahru and Kulai districts. The pollution released a strong, unpleasant odour, resulting in acute symptoms among exposed individuals, including sore throat, dizziness and coughing. Context: The Tebrau River is a vital waterway supporting urban populations in Johor. This was not the first chemical pollution event in the region, as previous incidents, including the Kim Kim River crisis in 2019, highlighted the region’s vulnerability to such events. The involvement of multiple districts and agencies during the response presented challenges in coordination and data sharing. Action: The Johor Bahru District Health Office promptly deployed a rapid assessment team to assess the affected areas and implement both active and passive case detection. Community engagement targeted vulnerable populations, such as schoolchildren, to minimize exposure risks. Additional dumping sites identified along the Tebrau River prompted expanded surveillance and a state-level response to coordinate efforts across districts and all health-care facilities. Outcome: A total of 484 individuals were exposed to the pollution, 334 of whom developed symptoms related to chemical exposure. Timely public health actions consisted of actions to mitigate the impact. Health facilities were placed on high alert and community trust was maintained through proactive engagement. However, gaps in cross-district coordination and challenges accessing environmental data underscored areas for improvement. Discussion: This incident highlighted the importance of rapid assessment, cross-sector collaboration, community engagement and integrated data systems. It also showed that effective public health action is possible despite environmental data limitations. The strengthening of communication, standardized protocols and real-time data sharing will be critical to improving future chemical pollution events.

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.

OBJECTIVE

This study assessed the correlation of macular pigment optical density (MPOD) and varying levels of exposure to video display terminals (VDT) among young adult Filipinos.

This cross-sectional, analytical, single-center study compared the MPOD, measured using the Zeiss VISUCAM 500, between two groups of individuals aged 20 to 35 years old with differing VDT exposure. The more exposed group consisted of individuals who spent at least 8 hours per day on VDTs for the past 1 year, while the less exposed group spent less than 6 hours per day. Student’s t-test and chi-square test were used to compare the two groups, while Pearson's r coefficient was utilized to determine the relationship between MPOD and VDT exposure.

A total of 80 individuals (40 in each group) were included in the study. Both groups had similar profiles, except for refractive errors, which were significantly higher in the prolonged VDT exposure group (p = 0.02). The prolonged exposure group averaged 10 hours of VDT use per day, compared to 3 hours in the low VDT exposure group. The MPOD level, particularly the maximum optical density (Max OD), was significantly lower in the prolonged VDT exposure group (0.2034 DU) compared to the low VDT exposure group (0.2467 DU) (p = 0.0051). A negative weak correlation was observed between the VDT exposure hours and MPOD levels (Max OD r = –0.387, p = 0.0005).

This study found a weak but significant negative correlation between prolonged VDT exposure and lower MPOD levels, suggesting that extended screen time may contribute to reduced macular pigment density. While the correlation was weak (r = –0.387), these findings underscore the potential risk of diminished macular health with increased VDT use. The results highlight the importance of promoting protective strategies, such as reducing screen time and encouraging dietary or lifestyle changes that support eye health, especially among individuals with high VDT exposure.

Objective:To determine the sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value of the STOP BANG questionnaire in diagnosing Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) in adults admitted for polysomnography at the Rizal Medical Center from January 2019 to June 2024

Methods:
Design:Review of Records
Setting:Tertiary Government Training Hospital
Participants:166 adult patients

Results:A total of 166 patient records were included with an average age of 35.6 ± 12 years, BMI of 29.3 ± 6.44 and 67% were male. The STOP-BANG questionnaire had a sensitivity of 77% to screen for all (AHI ≥ 5), mild (AHI = 5-14.9), moderate (AHI = 15-19.9), and severe OSA (AHI > 30), respectively. The specificity was 62% and the area under the curve was 0.717 for all, mild, moderate and severe OSA

Conclusion:A STOP-BANG score of 3/8 can predict the presence of OSA with a sensitivity of 77% and specificity of 62% with AUC of 0.717. The increase in score does not predict the severity. Further research can be done to identify other co-morbidities associated with OSA.

Objective:To describe the radiologic dimensions of the Eustachian tube (pre-tympanic diameter, tubo-tympanic angle, and Eustachian tube angle) among normal ears, ears with chronic otitis media (COM) with and without cholesteatoma, in a sample of Filipino adults with COM; and to compare the dimensions of the three variables.

Methods:
Design:Retrospective Review of Records
Setting:Tertiary Government Training Hospital
Participants:The study included 69 CT scans of adults with COM, with images of 23 ears for each variable (normal ears, COM with and without cholesteatoma formation).

Results:In normal ears, the average pre-tympanic diameter was 3.976 ± 0.78 mm, the average tubo-tympanic angle was 41.529 ± 5.85 degrees, and the average Eustachian tube Angle (Reid Plane) was 27.077 ± 4.62 degrees. In patients with COM without cholesteatoma, the mean pre tympanic diameter was 4.002 ± 1.13 mm, the mean tubo-tympanic angle was 141.994 ± 6.30 degrees, and the mean measurement of the Reid plane was 24.649 ± 3.10 degrees. In ears with COM with cholesteatoma, the mean pre-tympanic diameter was 4.1993 ± 0.50mm, the mean tubo-tympanic angle was 138.789 ± 7.13 degrees, and the mean Reid plane was 26.483 ± 3.86 degrees. P-values for the pre-tympanic diameter, tubo-tympanic angle, and ET angle were .617, .198, and .098 respectively, indicating that there were no statistically significant differences in the ET dimensions of the ears with COM with cholesteatoma, without cholesteatoma and normal ears.

Conclusion:In our investigation, we found no statistically significant differences in Eustachian tube dimensions among individuals with normal ears and COM with or without cholesteatoma. This suggests that the Eustachian tube dimensions may not serve as a primary etiological factor for COM among our patients.

Human ; Case Reports ; Publications

Objective: An investigation team was deployed to determine the cause of an outbreak of a cluster of cases of fever and rash in a public elementary school in Antipolo City, Philippines, after the Public Health Unit was notified on 24 October 2022. The team also aimed to identify the source of the outbreak and to guide prevention measures. Methods: Active case-finding for hand, foot and mouth disease was conducted at the school. A suspected case was defined as any learner who developed acute febrile illness with a papulovesicular rash on the palms and soles of the feet during 16–30 October 2022. Interviews with key informants were conducted and included school staff and parents. Oropharyngeal swabs were collected for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing. Results: Nineteen suspected cases of hand, foot and mouth disease were detected, predominantly in grade 1 learners (16, 84%). Most cases (14, 74%) were 6 years old, and just over half were male (11, 58%). The first case occurred in a 6-year-old in grade 1 who attended class with a papulovesicular rash. Twelve learners (63%) from the same section developed symptoms, two of whom were seatmates of the first case. Two out of the 10 swabs collected were tested by PCR, both of which were positive for coxsackievirus A16. Discussion: The causative agent of this outbreak was identified as coxsackievirus A16. Disease transmission occurred through close contact with the index case and possibly through shared classroom objects. Follow-up actions included dissemination of a memorandum about preventing the disease to all public elementary and secondary schools that emphasized symptom screening (i.e. for fever and rash), self-isolation at the onset of symptoms, regular disinfection of classroom surfaces and regular handwashing, especially before and after eating.

THE NURSE PERSONA: A 16PF PROFILING APPROACH FOR MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT Abstract Nursing is a challenging and pivotal profession in healthcare. As a result, nurses’ mental health is essential not only for their welfare but also for the quality of care they provide and the overall efficiency of the healthcare system. To address this issue, a personality profiling of employed nurses was conducted using the 16-personality factor questionnaire. The respondents were 32% male and 65% female nurses in a public hospital, selected through a structured random sampling technique. The statistical tools employed for analysis are percentage computation, mean distribution, Pearson correlation coefficient, and T-test. The dominant primary personality traits of the respondents were rule consciousness, emotional stability, perfectionism, privateness, vigilance, and warmth. On the other hand, they scored a low average for tension and average but not dominant personalities for liveliness, self reliance, dominance, sensitivity, abstractedness, and social boldness. These dominant personality factors reflect the positive personality of the nurses; however, some factors like vigilance and privateness contribute to burnout, stress, and anxiety, along with other work-related factors. At the same time, there is a need to improve on other nondominant personalities. Moreover, there was a significant relationship between personality and gender, indicating a strong to near-perfect correlation. However, there was no significant difference between the genders of male and female nurses and their personality profiles. Hence, nurses’ personality profiles are remarkably similar, irrespective of their gender. Therefore, the well-being and mental health programs employed to nurses and other health practitioners may be similar, irrespective of gender. At the same time, personality profiling using the 16PF may serve as a valuable tool for profiling employed nurses and maximizing their contribution to the well-being and mental health of professionals, ultimately contributing to the delivery of quality patient services.