INTRODUCTION

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are a leading global health concern. Modifiable behavioral risk factors are increasingly recognized in young adults, especially among medical students who often live independently. This study investigated the association between living alone and modifiable cardiovascular risk factors—sleep quality, sodium intake, physical activity, and body mass index (BMI)—among medical students at UERMMMCI during the 2022-2023 academic year.

METHODS

Researchers conducted an analytical cross-sectional study among 220 medical students. Validated tools were used: Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Scored Sodium Questionnaire, International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), and BMI classification. Researchers performed statistical analyses using Chi-square tests and calculated relative risks (RR) with 95% confidence intervals.

RESULTS

A significant positive association was found between living alone and poor sleep quality (RR 2.132 p = 0.047). No significant associations were observed between living alone and sodium intake (RR 0.96 p = 0.6868), physical activity (RR 1.18 p = 0.2239), or BMI (RR 1.03 p = 0.7367).

CONCLUSION

Among the studied cardiovascular risk factors, only poor sleep quality was significantly more prevalent among students living alone. These findings highlight the importance of interventions targeting sleep hygiene in this demographic.

Human ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Risk Factors ; Students, Medical ; Sleep Quality ; Living Alone ; Home Environment

Gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) in itself is an uncommon condition, much so is a primary extrauterine GTN. The incidence of GTN in the Philippines is at 22.4/40,000 pregnancies. However, no report has been made for primary extrauterine GTN. Only two cases of primary vaginal choriocarcinoma are reported in the literature. This is a case of a 26‑year‑old gravida 1 para 0 (0010) who came in for profuse vaginal bleeding. Serum beta‑human chorionic gonadotropin (β‑hCG) was elevated and ultrasound showed a hypervascular vaginal mass and an empty uterus. A primary vaginal GTN was considered, and the patient was treated with etoposide, methotrexate, actinomycin D, cyclophosphamide, and vincristine (EMACO) regimen. During the course of chemotherapy, there was a note of profuse vaginal bleeding, which was controlled by angiographic uterine artery embolization. A normal β‑hCG level was achieved after six cycles of EMACO. The patient was able to have three successful pregnancy outcomes thereafter. Primary vaginal GTN is a rare condition that requires a high index of suspicion. In a nulliparous patient complicated with profuse vaginal bleeding, angiographic embolization is an effective fertility‑sparing procedure that can manage the said complication.
Trophoblastic Neoplasms ; Embolization, Therapeutic

Objective: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), primarily targets the respiratory system. This study describes the characteristics associated with mortality among patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 at a single hospital in Baguio City, Philippines. Methods: We reviewed medical records (including history, laboratory results and treatment regimen) of 280 confirmed COVID-19 patients admitted to a single hospital during March–October 2020. Clinical characteristics and outcomes (frequency and type of complication, recovery rate and mortality) were evaluated. Multiple logistic regression was used to analyse factors associated with mortality. Results: The mean age of COVID-19 patients was 48.4 years and the female-to-male ratio was 1.8:1. Hypertension, cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes were the most frequent comorbidities reported. Common presenting symptoms were respiratory and constitutional, with 41% of patients not reporting symptoms on admission. Patients with moderate, severe and critical disease comprised 45%, 8% and 4%, respectively. A total of 15% had complications, health care-associated pneumonia being the most frequent complication. The recovery rate was 95%; 5% of patients died, with multiorgan failure being the most common cause. The presence of CVD, chronic kidney disease, prolonged prothrombin time and elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were associated with mortality. Discussion Most COVID-19 patients in our population had asymptomatic to moderate disease on admission. Mortality from COVID-19 was associated with having CVD, chronic kidney disease, elevated LDH and prolonged prothrombin time. Based on these results, we emphasize that people should take all necessary precautions to avoid infection with SARS-CoV-2.

BACKGROUND: Prevalence surveys are important to aid in assessing the current burden of diseases, which will impact on the public health agenda as well as preventive interventions and health policies. Three previous local surveys on asthma prevalence of Filipino adults have been carried out. This is the fourth local survey and is also a part of the second NNHeS study, which is carried out every five years. The purpose of the survey is to determine the trend in asthma prevalence and to aid in formulating and evaluating local initiatives.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of asthma among Filipino adults
METHODOLOGY: Using a multi-staged cluster sampling methodology, this study evaluated 7,202 adults at least 20 years old, from 3,744 households, 79 provinces and 17 regions. A pre-validated written questionnaire for wheezing among children based on the International Study of Asthma and Allergies of Childhood (ISAAC) was used as the survey instrument. This instrument was adopted since it has been widely used as a case definition for asthma, which allows for comparison of prevalence outcomes across time and population.
RESULTS: The overall prevalence of asthma based on wheezing for the past 12 months was 8.7% (SE 0.4%). Males had a higher prevalence of wheezing for the past 12 months at 9.4% (SE 0.5%) compared to females at 8.2% (SE 0.5%). The overall prevalence of asthma based on wheezing at any time was 14.3% (SE 0.5%). Males had a higher prevalence of wheezing at any time of 14.8% (SE 0.7%) compared to females at 13.8% (SE 0.6%). The prevalence of adult asthma in the rural area was slightly higher than in the urban area (15.3% vs 13.3%), but the difference was not statistically significant.
CONCLUSION: The overall prevalence of adult asthma in the Philippine based on the second NHHeS is 8.7%. This figure is lower than previous reported local prevalence data. The prevalence of adult asthma in the rural and urban setting is almost similar.

Human ; Male ; Female ; Aged 80 And Over ; Aged ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Young Adult ; Asthma ; Characteristics ; Health Policy ; Hypersensitivity ; Philippines ; Prevalence ; Public Health ; Respiratory Sounds

OBJECTIVE:The study aimed to assess the valuation for cigarettes among UP Manila students aged 18-24 through direct and indirect stated preference methods.
METHODS: Direct (iterative bidding) and indirect (discrete choice experiment) stated preference methods were utilized to determine the smokers' Willingness-to-Pay (WTP) and non-smokers' Willingness-to-Accept (WTA). Median and interquartile range were used in describing both WTP and WTA. Fisher's Exact Test and T-test were performed using STATA v12 to determine the association between the identified factors. 
RESULTS: Of the 212 respondents, 21 (9.91%) were smokers. The smokers' direct and indirect WTP for a cigarette stick were PhP 6.00 and PhP 12.43, respectively. There was a significant difference (p=0.01) between the results of the two methods. Meanwhile, 40.84% of the non-smokers could be induced to smoke with PhP 0.00 as their WTA. No significant association was found between the smokers' stated preference and their smoking status and allowance. The WTP of the smokers was higher than the December 2013 retail prices of cigarettes.
CONCLUSION: The increased cigarette prices brought about by the Sin Tax Law were insufficient in stopping the selected UP Manila students to smoke. In addition, forty percent of non-smokers in the study could be induced to smoke. Thus, further price increase of cigarettes, as well as other tobacco control measures, is recommended to discourage smoking among the youth such as college students, specifically in UP Manila.

Human ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Adolescent ; Tobacco ; Smoking ; Smoke ; Tobacco Use Disorder ; Choice Behavior ; Students ; Surveys And Questionnaires

BACKGROUND: There has been no documented data on the prevalence of allergic rhinitis among Filipino adults. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of allergic rhinitis among adults in the Philippines. METHODS: Using a multi-staged cluster sampling methodology, this study evaluated 7,202 adults from 3,744 households, 79 provinces and 17 regions. A pre-validated written questionnaire for allergic rhinitis based on the International Study of Asthma and Allergies of Childhood was used as the survey instrument. RESULTS: The response rate obtained from the interview was 94.1%. The overall prevalence of nose symptoms in the past 12 months was 20% while prevalence of nose symptoms at any time in the past was 23.8%. The proportion among both sexes was similar. The prevalence was highest among the respondents 40-49 years old. The overall prevalence of nose and eye symptoms for the past twelve months was 14.0%. The prevalence of respondents who reported presence of nose problems for the past twelve months was similar across the 12 months of the year with highest rates noted in the months of June and May. Respondents from the rural area (22.1%) reported a higher prevalence of nose symptoms for the past twelve months compared to respondents from urban area (18%). There was no significant difference in prevalence of nose symptoms among residents living in coastal and/or inland areas. CONCLUSION: The overall prevalence of allergic rhinitis in the Philippines based on the 2008 National Nutrition and Health Survey is 20.0%.
Adult ; Asthma ; Family Characteristics ; Health Surveys ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Nose ; Philippines ; Prevalence ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVE: Elimination eforts for lymphatic flariasis are underway in the Philippines using mass drug administration (MDA) of diethylcarbamazine and albendazole as one of the main strategies. This cost analysis was done to determine the MDA implementation cost and provide useful information to the control programme on how to best utilize limited resources.

METHODS: This cost analysis study was conducted in the province of Sorsogon, Philippines in 2004. The study was done from a program perspective. Cost data for 2003 was obtained retrospectively via key informant interviews and records review using a standardized guide from a multi-country cost analysis study of flariasis elimination programs. Cost fgures were classifed as either economic or fnancial costs and expressed in real terms using 2002 as base year. Sensitivity analysis was likewise performed.

RESULTS: The total economic cost and cost per person treated with MDA were estimated at US$223,549.55 (Php12,116,385.48) and US$0.40, respectively. The fnancial costs were less than half of the economic costs. The main cost driver was drug distribution. The highest economic and fnancial costs were incurred at the national (54.5%) and municipal (74.4%) levels, respectively. High variation in costs of MDA activities was observed.

CONCLUSION: This cost analysis provides reasonable estimates which may be used to assist government and other stakeholders in program planning and resource generation for flariasis elimination programs in endemic areas.

Diethylcarbamazine ; Albendazole ; Philippines ; Mass Drug Administration ; Costs And Cost Analysis ; Health Resources ; Lymphatic Vessel ; Elephantiasis, Filarial

Dendritic cells are professional antigen presenting cells which are being used as adjuvants in tumor vaccination trials. Most clinical protocols currently include 4 to 10 weekly infusions of doses > 10(6) cells, each inoculum coming from a simple culture of blood monocytes. In the present study, several millions of dendritic cells from a single leukapheresis were produced; monocytes were isolated by elutriation and then cultured in Teflon bags in presence of 800 U/ml GM-CSF + 100 micro g/ml IL-13 + 10% fetal calf serum (FCS). The dendritic cells from this single batch were aliquoted in many doses for potential multiple infusions and cryopreserved in 10% DMSO + 2% human albumin in Teflon-kapton Fresenius bags either at -1 degrees C/min using a controlled rate freezer, or putting the bags directly in a -80 degrees C mechanical freezer without controlling the temperature rate. Six experiments were carried out. After one month of cryopreservation, the cells were thawed in a 40 degrees C water bath. Before and after freezing, cells were evaluated for immunophenotype (CD1a, CD14, CD40, CD80, CD83, CD86, CD54, CD58, CD16, CD32, CD64 and HLA-DR) and for their capacity to stimulate allogenic (MLR) or autologous (antigen presentation tests) lymphocytes. The results demonstrated that the mean recovery rates after freezing in liquid nitrogen or at -80 degrees C were (67 +/- 14)% and (71 +/- 13)% respectively, without any significant difference between the two techniques. The immunophenotype was not modified by the freezing-thawing procedure, as well as the lymphocyte stimulating capacities. In conclusion, our study showed that substantial numbers of functional DCs can be derived from peripheral blood monocytes using Teflon bags. DCs can be cryopreserved in a good laboratory practice setting for further clinical trials with an acceptable loss of cells and without modification of their functions.