1.Investigation of the diagnosis and treatment of insomnia and the use of related drugs in primary medical institutions in Beijing
Journal of Apoplexy and Nervous Diseases 2026;43(4):291-294
Objective To investigate the current status of the diagnosis and treatment of insomnia and the clinical use of related drugs in primary medical institutions in Beijing, China through a survey. Methods A questionnaire survey and face-to-face interviews were used to conduct a stratified random sampling survey in primary medical institutions in 16 districts of Beijing. Results The primary medical institutions in Beijing played an important role in the long-term management of insomnia patients, and integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine therapy is the main treatment paradigm for insomnia. The three most frequently used sedative-hypnotic drugs are estazolam, zolpidem tartrate. At present, there are still several issues in primary medical institutions, including a lack of training on sleep medicine and strict restrictions on the types of sedative-hypnotic drugs. Conclusion Primary medical institutions in Beijing play a significant role in the long-term management of insomnia patients. However, due to a lack of standardized and systematic training on sleep medicine and the limited types and quantities of sedative-hypnotic drugs, there are still difficulties in the standardized diagnosis and treatment of insomnia, as well as the presence of non-standardized use of sedative-hypnotic drugs.
Insomnia, Fatal Familial
2.Severe Premature Coronary Artery Disease in Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia with Marked Lipid Reduction After Inclisiran Therapy
Shaleela Mohd Esha ; Hazwani Aziz ; Elliyyin Katiman
Journal of the ASEAN Federation of Endocrine Societies 2026;41(S1):65-66
Introduction:
Homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH) is a
rare inherited disorder characterized by markedly elevated
low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) from birth,
childhood xanthomas, and accelerated atherosclerotic
cardiovascular disease. Achieving LDL-C targets remains
difficult despite statins, ezetimibe, and lipoprotein apheresis,
especially in patients with treatment interruption, poor
adherence, or limited access to specialized lipid services.
We report a female with genetically confirmed HoFH who
developed severe premature coronary artery disease and
showed marked lipid reduction after inclisiran therapy.
Case:
A 28-year-old Malay female with LDL receptor mutationconfirmed HoFH, diagnosed at age 7, had a strong family
history of premature cardiovascular death. She underwent
biweekly lipoprotein apheresis from ages 8 to 15 years,
but later defaulted on follow-up. During pregnancy in
2021, weekly then biweekly apheresis was reintroduced
for severe hypercholesterolemia, but she disengaged
postpartum. In 2025, she re-presented with exertional chest pain, orthopnea, and palpitations. Examination
showed widespread xanthomas. Electrocardiography
demonstrated sinus tachycardia with inferolateral ST
depression. Echocardiography revealed a left ventricular
ejection fraction of 40%, anterior and septal akinesia, severe
mitral regurgitation, moderate tricuspid regurgitation, and
pulmonary hypertension. Her lipid profile showed total
cholesterol 18.1 mmol/L and LDL-C 14.9 mmol/L. Coronary
angiography demonstrated triple-vessel disease with left
main stem involvement and critical right coronary ostial
stenosis. Coronary artery bypass grafting was advised but
declined. She was treated with high-dose rosuvastatin,
ezetimibe, dual antiplatelet therapy, and inclisiran 284 mg.
After one dose of inclisiran, total cholesterol fell to 6.78 mmol/L
and LDL-C to 4.71 mmol/L, a reduction of more than 60%.
Conclusion
This case highlights the aggressive natural history of inadequately controlled HoFH and the importance of sustained
lifelong therapy. Inclisiran may provide additional LDL-C
reduction in selected HoFH patients, although long-term
cardiovascular outcome data remain limited.
ALN-PCS
;
Coronary Artery Disease
;
Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia
;
Lipids
3.Health-Related Quality of Life in Children and Adolescents with X-Linked Hypophosphatemia (XLH) at Universiti Malaya Medical Centre
Nur Syafiqah Hamizi ; Muhammad Yazid Jalaludin ; Mohd Shafiq Azanan ; Nur Sabrina Rusli
Journal of the ASEAN Federation of Endocrine Societies 2026;41(S1):126-
Introduction:
X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH) is a rare genetic disorder caused by PHEX mutations, characterized by chronic
hypophosphatemia and renal phosphate wasting, resulting in skeletal, dental, and extra-skeletal complications. To date,
no data from Malaysia are currently available on clinical characteristics or health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in
paediatric patients.
Methodology:
This cross-sectional study evaluated HRQoL among children and adolescents with XLH, using validated PROMIS (PatientReported Outcomes Measurement Information System) instruments, sociodemographic and clinical factors associated
with HRQoL. This includes children and adolescents with confirmed XLH followed up at Universiti Malaya Medical
Centre (UMMC) between November 2024 and March 2025.
Results:
Seventeen patients were analyzed (76.5% female and 23.5% male). The mean age at symptom onset was 2.82 ± 2.42 years,
with a mean age at diagnosis of 5.21 ± 3.29 years. All patients continued to have musculoskeletal complications, including
short stature (76.5%), bowing of legs (76.5%), bone/joint pain (47.1%), muscle pain (47.1%), and dental complications (52.9%).
Serum alkaline phosphatase improved significantly (p = 0.011); persistent hypophosphatemia and ongoing musculoskeletal
manifestations indicated suboptimal disease control. Elevated parathyroid hormone levels and an increase in urine calciumto-creatinine ratio (p = 0.020) lead to secondary hyperparathyroidism and nephrocalcinosis. Adherence to conventional
therapy was poor. Non-adherence was associated with worse pain outcomes (higher pain interference [p = 0.037] and greater
pain intensity [p = 0.025]). PROMIS scores revealed severely impaired mobility (mean T-score 31.31 ± 12.17), increased
fatigue (mean T-score 54.22 ± 7.60), and high pain interference (mean T-score 63.11 ± 9.50). Larger household size was also
strongly associated with higher pain intensity (p = 0.004).
Conclusion
Malaysian children and adolescents with XLH continue to have significantly poor HRQoL, particularly in mobility, fatigue,
and pain. These findings highlight the need for access to targeted therapies, such as burosumab, to improve long-term
outcomes and QOL in XLH patients.
Adolescent
;
Child
;
Familial Hypophosphatemic Rickets
;
Malaysia
;
Quality of Life
4.Familial adenomatosis polyposis associated papillary thyroid carcinoma- cribriform morular variant: A case report
Jennifer A. Winter ; Michelle C. Payagen ; Mathew B. Bawayan
Philippine Journal of Surgical Specialties 2025;80(1):20-23
Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP) is a multi-tumoral syndrome that includes neoplasms in the duodenum, brain, pancreas and thyroid. The Cribriform Morular Variant (CMV) is a rare form of Papillary Thyroid Cancer seen in patients with FAP. Presented here is a 32 year old female who initially presented with an anterior neck mass followed years later by a rectal mass. She was diagnosed with FAP and colorectal adenocarcinoma and underwent total proctocolectomy with end ileostomy. She subsequently underwent a total thyroidectomy which revealed CMV Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma (CMV-PTC). Since FAP can have diverse presentations, a high index of suspicion is needed in order to make an earlier diagnosis to reduce potential morbidity and mortality. Papillary thyroid carcinoma can predate colonic polyposis. Identifying CMV-PTC early on can serve as an opportunity diagnose FAP early.
Human ; Female ; Adult: 25-44 Yrs Old ; Familial Adenomatous Polyposis ; Adenomatous Polyposis Coli ; Thyroid Cancer, Papillary ; Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma
5.Tapping with plum-blossom needle combined with sulfur ointment and local irradiation for primary cutaneous amyloidosis: a case report.
Fasen DENG ; Xiao CHEN ; Weijuan ZHENG ; Ziyang HE ; Xinsheng CHEN
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion 2025;45(12):1800-1802
The paper reports one case of primary cutaneous amyloidosis (PCA) treated by tapping with plum-blossom needle combined with sulfur ointment and local irradiation. PCA in this case was manifested as generalized erythema, papules, plaques, lichenification, and severe pruritus. In treatment, tapping with plum-blossom needle was delivered at typical lesions to induce local congestion, redness, and minimal bleeding. After cleaned with sterile gauze for 10 s, 25% sulfur ointment was evenly applied, followed by local irradiation with a TDP lamp for 15 min. This session was repeated twice a week. In 1 month of treatment, the lesions turned flat and the skin was soft as the normal, with pigmentation and mild pruritus left. In 3 months of follow-up, no papules recurred, and mild pruritus presented occasionally.
Humans
;
Ointments/administration & dosage*
;
Sulfur/administration & dosage*
;
Skin Diseases, Genetic/radiotherapy*
;
Middle Aged
;
Amyloidosis, Familial/radiotherapy*
;
Male
;
Acupuncture Therapy/instrumentation*
;
Female
;
Combined Modality Therapy
6.Use of topical 5-fluorouracil cream and excimer lamp phototherapy in treating Hailey-Hailey Disease in a 55-year-old Filipino female
Althea Julie W. Pabico ; Elisa Rae L. Coo ; Zharlah Gulmatico Flores ; Elizabeth Amelia V. Tianco
Journal of the Philippine Dermatological Society 2024;33(Suppl 1):6-6
Hailey-Hailey Disease (HHD) is a rare, chronic skin condition characterized by relapsing episodes and spontaneous remissions, significantly affecting patients’ quality of life, especially in severe cases. Due to its rarity, there are no established evidence-based treatment guidelines or extensive clinical trials. This case report highlights the rapid improvement of HHD in a 55-year-old Filipino woman treated with a combination of 5-fluorouracil and excimer phototherapy, suggesting that this treatment approach may be an effective alternative for managing the disease.
Human ; Female ; Middle Aged: 45-64 Yrs Old ; Hailey-hailey Disease ; Pemphigus, Benign Familial
7.A case of multiple familial trichoepithelioma with leonine facies presentation
Celestine Antoniette A. Apolonio ; Maria Patricia A. Chavez
Journal of the Philippine Dermatological Society 2024;33(Suppl 1):25-26
Multiple Familial Trichoepithelioma (MFT) is a subtype of trichoepithelioma that begins during childhood as asymptomatic skin colored nodules predominantly on the central area of the face. It is a rare benign tumor of follicular differentiation associated with syndromic disorders and with mutations on the following genes: PTCH, 9p21 and CYLD. Overlap features between trichoepitheliomas and basal cell carcinomas may be present clinically and histopathologically. Hence, the importance of clinicopathologic differentiation between both as treatment options and prognosis varies.
We have a 52 year old male who presented with multiple asymptomatic, coalescent, flesh colored papules and nodules on the face and on the bilateral ears that started during childhood with gradual progression in size. Dermoscopy revealed thin arborizing vessels, milia-like cysts on a whitish background. History of similar lesions are noted among eight of his family members. Skin biopsies were taken on two nodules which showed tumor islands of basaloid cells with peripheral palisading, surrounded by fibrous stroma, characteristic papillary mesenchymal bodies and presence of keratin filled cysts. Genetic testing was advised and the planned course of action for the patient is to undergo ablative carbon dioxide laser combined with topical imiquimod cream to minimize recurrence.
This case highlights the relevance of multiple biopsy sites to rule out other differential diagnoses presenting with leonine facies and syndromic disorders associated with multiple familial trichoepitheliomas. Genetic testing is recommended but presumptive diagnosis may be made through positive family history, clinical and histopathologic features.
Human ; Male ; Middle Aged: 45-64 Yrs Old ; Multiple Familial Trichoepithelioma ; Familial Cylindromatosis
8.Familial cerebral cavernous malformation in a Filipino family
Maria Veronica P. Comandao ; Christopher O. Concepcion
Health Sciences Journal 2024;13(2):102-106
:
Cerebral cavernous malformation (CCM) is a type of vascular malformations characterized by the absence of intervening brain parenchyma. Cerebral cavernous malformations are of two forms, sporadic and familial. About 0.4-0.8% of the population are affected as assessed based on Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) findings and postmortem findings. Three genetic mutations have been identified: CCM1, CCM2, CCM3, with an incidence of 40%, 40% and 20%, respectively.
:
This study presents five members diagnosed with Familial CCM in a Filipino family. A 25-year-old male, from a low socio-economic background, was admitted due to a progressive generalized headache of 2 years’ duration, during which multiple brain lesions were observed on MRI. All members of the family became symptomatic before 30 years of age, and four out of the five members underwent surgery. However, molecular genetic testing was not performed as the patient could not afford it. The testing was not covered by the country’s insurance system, and it would have been an out-of-pocket expense.
In patients diagnosed with cerebral cavernous malformations, a thorough clinical and family history is warranted accompanied by MRI-GRE (Magnetic Resonance Imaging Gradient Echo) and MRI T2 help establish final diagnosis. Confirmation with molecular genetic testing should be offered to all members of the family for proper neurological and genetic care.
Human
;
Male,Female
;
Adult: 25-44 yrs old
;
Middle Aged: 45-64 yrs old
;
Aged: 65-79 yrs old
;
familial cerebral cavernous malformation
9.Multimodal ultrasound assessment of myocardial perfusion and contractile function in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and their first-degree relatives.
Li YU ; Shi ZENG ; Qichang ZHOU ; Zurong YANG ; Yiyuan HUANG
Journal of Central South University(Medical Sciences) 2024;49(12):1934-1940
OBJECTIVES:
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) frequently leads to myocardial ischemia and cardiac dysfunction. Even genotype-positive/phenotype-negative (G+/P-) individuals, carriers of pathogenic sarcomere gene mutations without left ventricular hypertrophy, remain at risk of progression to clinical HCM. This study aims to evaluate myocardial perfusion and contractile function in familial HCM patients and their first-degree relatives using myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) and velocity vector imaging (VVI), in order to identify early myocardial dysfunction and at-risk individuals within families.
METHODS:
Thirty-five genetically confirmed HCM patients with left ventricular hypertrophy were assigned to a G+/P+ group. A total of 30 first-degree relatives carrying sarcomere mutations but without echocardiographic evidence of left ventricular hypertrophy were assigned to a G+/P- group. A total of 38 age- and sex-matched gene-negative healthy family members served as controls. All participants underwent MCE and VVI assessments. Myocardial perfusion parameters, including peak intensity (PI), time to peak concentration (TP), and the ratio of declining intensity and declining time (dI/dT), as well as strain parameters including global longitudinal strain (GLS), global radial strain (GRS), and global circumferential strain (GCS) were recorded and analyzed for differences and correlations.
RESULTS:
Compared to both the G+/P- and normal control groups, the G+/P+ group had significantly lower PI, dI/dT, GLS, and GRS, along with significantly increased TP (all P<0.05). GLS and GRS were positively correlated with PI (r=0.629 and r=0.613, respectively; both P<0.01) and negatively correlated with TP (r=-0.597 and r=-0.571, respectively; both P<0.01). Compared to the normal control group, the G+/P- group showed a significant reduction in GLS (P<0.05), but no significant differences in GRS, GCS, PI, TP, or dI/dT (all P>0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
Myocardial contractile dysfunction in HCM patients is closely related to impaired perfusion. Even in the absence of wall hypertrophy, sarcomere mutation carriers show early signs of subclinical left ventricular dysfunction. MCE and VVI can quantitatively assess myocardial perfusion and function, offering valuable tools for early detection and risk stratification in HCM patients and their relatives.
Humans
;
Male
;
Female
;
Myocardial Contraction/physiology*
;
Echocardiography/methods*
;
Adult
;
Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic/genetics*
;
Middle Aged
;
Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic, Familial/genetics*
;
Family
;
Mutation
10.Impact of orthotopic liver transplantation on serum lipid level and growing development in patients with homozygous or compound heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia.
Pei Pei CHEN ; Si Qin FENG ; Zhuang TIAN ; Shu Yang ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Cardiology 2023;51(3):270-277
Objective: To investigate the impact of orthotopic liver transplantation on serum lipid and growing development in patients with homozygous (HoFH) or compound heterozygotes (cHeFH) familial hypercholesterolemia. Methods: Patients who were treated in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from August 2019 to August 2021, entered the rare disease database and underwent liver transplantation, were included in this single center retrospective cohort study. The height for age Z score (HAZ) and length for age Z score (WAZ) at birth, at the time of transplantation and one year after transplantation were calculated respectively by collecting demographic characteristics, clinical manifestations, echocardiography, lipid-lowering treatment, blood lipid level data and donor characteristics data of liver transplantation. The serum cholesterol level and growing development changes before and after liver transplantation were evaluated. Results: A total of five patients with HoFH or cHeFH, including two females, were included in this study. The median age was 10 years (6-22 years). The median follow up duration was 28 months (24-33 months). All HoFH or cHeFH patients in this study received the maximum daily dosage of the lipid-lowering drug combined with low salt and low-fat diet control treatment for at least 3 months before orthotopic liver transplantation. The average level of total cholesterol (TC) decreased by 27% compared with that before treatment, the level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) decreased by 21% after 3 months treatment. There was no intervention of lipid-lowering therapy after operation. One month after liver transplantation, the average levels of TC and LDL-C further decreased rapidly by 68% and 76% respectively. One year after liver transplantation, the level of LDL-C decreased from (17.1±1.6)mmol/L without any intervention before transplantation to (3.0±0.7)mmol/L, and remained stable thereafter. In addition, compared with no intervention before liver transplantation, the serum triglyceride (TG) level decreased after the maximum daily dosage of the lipid-lowering drug and low salt and low-fat diet control for 3 months ((1.88±0.27) mmol/L vs. (1.12±0.55)mmol/L, P=0.031), and the HDL-C level also decreased significantly ((1.95±0.49)mmol/L vs. (0.95±0.30)mmol/L, P=0.006) at the same time period. TG and HDL-C remained stable after liver transplantation during the 24-month follow-up period (P>0.05). One and two years after liver transplantation, there was no significant difference in height and weight, malnutrition and growth retardation between the patients in this cohort and Chinese children of the same age. Conclusion: Early liver transplantation is a feasible and effective treatment option for HoFH or cHeFH patients with extremely high serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels.
Child
;
Infant, Newborn
;
Female
;
Humans
;
Cholesterol, LDL/therapeutic use*
;
Liver Transplantation
;
Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Hyperlipoproteinemia Type II/surgery*
;
Lipids
;
Hypolipidemic Agents/therapeutic use*


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