BACKGROUND

Blood pressure (BP) is a vital sign that is essential in the management of hypertension, thus, there is a need for accurate measurement of BP. This will allow for proper diagnosis and management of hypertension preventing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality among Filipino patients.

METHODOLOGY

This validation study utilized the US Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation/European Society of Hypertension/International Organization for Standardization (AAMI/ESH/ISO) protocol for BP monitors. A total of eighty-five (85) participants had their BP measured using both the HEM 7156 and a validated aneroid sphygmomanometer. The same-sequential BP measurement was recommended to be used and a total of nine readings were collected per individual. The mean average of BP and standard deviation were extracted from the measurements. The AAMI/ESH/ISO recommends the use of certain criteria for individual BP readings (criterion 1) and individual participants (criterion 2). Appropriate statistical analysis was used for other demographic data.

RESULTS

The participants had an average age of 34 years, more than half were females, and not diagnosed with hypertension. Individuals who were diagnosed with hypertension had no other comorbidities and were on single pill only. The average arm circumference was 26.9 cm. Blood Pressure (BP) readings were adequate based on the protocol. Validity results showed that for criterion 1, systolic blood pressure (SBP) difference was 3.4 ± 7.4 mmHg, while diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was 2.0 ± 8.0 mmHg. The results for criterion 2 showed for SBP was 3.3 ± 5.3 mmHg, while DBP was 1.9 ± 6.6 mmHg. The results satisfied a passing grade on the validation protocol set by the AAMI/ESH/ISO.

CONCLUSION

This study showed that OMRON HEM 7156 is validated as a BP apparatus and may be recommended for Philippine use.

Human ; Hypertension

Bullous eruptions are rare cutaneous manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus. We report a case of an 8-year old Filipino girl with vesiculobullous systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and membranous lupus nephritis on kidney biopsy who presented with clinical nephrotic features of generalized edema, proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia and hyperlipidemia. The 2012 Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC) classification criteria for SLE were met. Immunohistopathologic examination of the skin lesion revealed a sub-epidermal split with neutrophilic infiltrates along the dermo-epidermal junction, moderate perivascular, periadnexal and interstitial infiltrates composed of predominantly neutrophils with neutrophilic dusts, lymphocytes, plasma cells, rare eosinophils and increased dermal mucin. Direct immunofluorescence showed strong continuous linear IgG deposits along the basement membrane and weak linear IgM and IgA deposition along the basement membrane zone (BMZ). To our knowledge, this is the first report of vesiculobullous SLE in a Filipino child. This case is a rare form of cutaneous lupus in children. Bullous SLE (BSLE) should be considered in the differential diagnosis of children presenting with generalized bullous eruptions.

Human ; Female ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; Child

A 14 year old male from Quezon City Manila was admitted due to oliguria. He presented with 7 days of intermittent fever associated with malaise, photophobia with redness of the eyes. A few hours before admission, he developed repetitive vomiting with decreased urine output. He denied any muscle pain, change in his sensorium or seizure episode. He had a history of wading in flooded waters.
Oliguria ; Fever ; Photophobia