1.Approximation of serum bicarbonate concentration using serum carbon dioxide combining power in patients with diabetic ketoacidosis.
Meghan Marie ALIÑO ; Gorgonia PANILAGAO
Philippine Journal of Internal Medicine 2026;64(1):56-62
BACKGROUND
Determination of serum bicarbonate (HCO3 - ) using arterial blood gas analysis in patients with diabetic ketoacidosis allows for the evaluation of the severity of the condition, determines whether HCO3 - therapy is required, and tracks the progression and resolution of the disease. Serum carbon dioxide combining power (CO2CP) from venous chemistry analysis has often been used as an indicator of metabolic acidosis. This study investigated the relationship between HCO3 - and CO2CP and developed an approximation formula for serum bicarbonate concentration using its predictor variables, as this may lessen the need to repeat arterial blood gas analysis or be used in settings in which blood gas analyzers are unavailable.
METHODOLOGYThis single-center, retrospective, cross-sectional study investigated a total of 77 patients diagnosed with diabetic ketoacidosis. Assessment of the bivariate correlations between serum HCO3 - and serum CO2CP as well as other potential predictor variables was done via Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Predictor variables that were significantly correlated with serum HCO3 - were identified and an approximation formula was developed by regression analysis. Evaluation of the correlation between the approximated HCO3 - value and the actual serum HCO3 - concentration was performed using correlation coefficient and residual statistics to assess agreement.
RESULTSSerum CO2CP had significant correlation with serum HCO3 - (r = 0.768, p < 0.05). By multiple regression analysis, the following approximation formula was therefore expressed: HCO3 - = 12.682 + (0.612 x CO2CP) – [ketones] + (0.085 x BUN) - (0.026 x SGPT) – (1.23 x Creatinine) - (0.067 x Chloride). Examination of residuals revealed a mean of zero (0), indicating no significant difference between the actual and approximated levels of serum HCO3 -
CONCLUSIONThe predictor variables included in the formula collectively contribute significantly to the approximation of serum HCO3 - . The approximated serum HCO3 - values also showed significant correlation with actual serum HCO3 - concentration; thus, the formula may be utilized to derive an approximation of serum bicarbonate concentration in patients with diabetic ketoacidosis.
Human ; Male ; Female ; Adolescent: 13-18 Yrs Old ; Young Adult: 19-24 Yrs Old ; Adult: 25-44 Yrs Old ; Attention ; Bicarbonates ; Carbon Dioxide ; Diabetic Ketoacidosis ; Ketosis ; Patients ; Carbon ; Power (psychology) ; Power, Psychological ; Serum
2.Factors associated with malignancy in hyperthyroid patients
Rhea Karla P. Panilagao ; Ceryl Cindy Y. Tan ; Gorgonia P. Panilagao
Philippine Journal of Internal Medicine 2025;63(2):68-76
INTRODUCTION
Hyperthyroidism was thought to lower thyroid cancer risk due to TSH suppression, potentially leading to overlooked diagnoses. This study examines clinical factors linked to thyroid cancer in hyperthyroid patients who have undergone thyroidectomy.
OBJECTIVEThis study determined the clinical factors associated with malignancy among patients with hyperthyroidism who underwent thyroidectomy in a tertiary hospital.
METHODSThis analytical cross-sectional study reviewed electronic biopsy results of adult patients who underwent thyroidectomy from January 2009 to December 2019 for hyperthyroidism secondary to Graves’ Disease, Solitary Toxic Adenoma or Multinodular Toxic Goiter. It considered factors linked to thyroid cancer, its prevalence, and clinical features associated with aggressive tumor behavior.
RESULTSSixty hyperthyroid patients who underwent thyroidectomy were included, 12 of whom have thyroid cancer. Each increase in the initial free thyroxine (FT4) leads to increased likelihood of thyroid cancer by 1.02 times (95% CI 1.001-1.03, p=0.044). The presence of thyroid nodule is associated with 24 times (95% CI 2.67-3275.62, p=0.002) higher risk of thyroid cancer, while every unit increase in mm for nodule diameter increases thyroid cancer odds by 1.04 times (95% CI 1.01-1.07, p=0.022). An FNAB pre-op diagnosis of malignancy is associated with having histopathologic diagnosis of thyroid cancer increased by 40 times (95% CI 2.42-6668.98, p=0.007). Although aggressive tumor behavior was noted among those with a younger age on average (36.35 vs 46.75 years), higher initial FT4 (95.97 vs 23.55 pmol/L), and those with sizeable diameter of multinodular goiter (95 mm vs 20 mm), only the high FT4 was statistically significant.
CONCLUSIONInitial FT4, thyroid nodules, nodule size, and pre-operative FNAB finding of a malignancy were the factors associated with thyroid cancer in hyperthyroid patients who underwent thyroidectomy. Furthermore, those with aggressive tumor behavior had higher initial FT4 levels.
Human ; Hyperthyroidism

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail