BACKGROUND

Platelet rich plasma (PRP) is increasingly used as an adjunct treatment for androgenetic alopecia (AGA). PRP preparation involves anticoagulant tubes, such as PRP kits or regular tubes such as EDTA. Studies have shown that platelet concentration in PRP correlates with the growth factors present. However, there is limited data regarding the platelet yield across different anticoagulant tubes. This study will aid in the use of EDTA tube as an alternative to the commercially available PRP kits.

This study aims to determine the platelet concentration level obtained in EDTA tubes versus the commercially available PRP kit in patients with AGA.

This was a cross-sectional, quantitative study in 27 adult males with AGA. The venous blood extracted were placed in EDTA and PRP kit tubes and were centrifuged. A hemoanalyzer was used to obtain the platelet concentration levels. Statistical analyses using paired t-test was performed using the STATA MP Software.

Comparative analyses indicated that the mean difference in platelet concentration between the PRP kit and EDTA was -472.67 (95% Cl = -575.40 to - 369.93). Thus, the mean platelet concentration (t=-9.46, p=0.001) was statistically different between the two groups with a significantly higher mean platelet concentration with EDTA as compared to the PRP kit.

The platelet concentration levels obtained from the EDTA tubes were higher than the PRP kit. Thus, the EDTA tube may be a good alternative to the costly commercially available PRP kit.

BACKGROUND

Schizophrenia, a common mental disorder, is associated with cognitive impairment in middle-aged and older adults. Research highlights challenges such as white matter loss, dementia risk, psychosocial issues, nursing home admissions, and limited cognitive benefits from antipsychotics. Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) is an emerging intervention for mental and physical illnesses, including schizophrenia.

This quasi-experiment included 20 patients from a health care facility, selected through purposive sampling based on inclusion/exclusion criteria.

AAT significantly improved lower body strength (CST) and cognitive abilities (MOCA- P) but had no effect on agility (TUG). Male participants showed greater improvements than females in all domains: CST (+7.8), TUG (-2.365), and MOCA-P (+12). The dropout rate was 50% for females and 20% for males, primarily due to eligibility for discharge.

AAT significantly enhances lower body strength and cognitive function but does not improve agility. It is a safe, feasible adjunct therapy for chronic mental health conditions, though targeted interventions for mobility challenges are needed.

BACKGROUND

Cutaneous findings are the most common manifestations of abuse. Hence, a thorough dermatologic evaluation is crucial to rule out the possibility of injuries - accidental or intentional. Underreporting and incomplete documentation were also identified research gaps. The objectives of this study are to establish a baseline database, describe trends in the WCPU and ER medicolegal cases, and identify relationships among demographics, cutaneous findings, and injuries.

This is a case-control study conducted in a Tertiary Hospital in the Philippines. Medico-legal records from the emergency room and WCPU during 2019-2023 were retrieved and analyzed.

There were 2,611 WCPU Cases and 9511 ER Cases. Only 2,663 ER Cases (28%) have complete findings. The majority of the physically abused patients in the ER and WCPU perpetrators were adult males. Most WCPU patients were minor females. Only 25% of the WCPU cases were reported within three days. The majority of sexual perpetrators are not strangers to their victims. A significant fraction of sexual abuse is also incestuous. Several significant cutaneous findings suggestive of physical abuse were observed in this study. Intuitively, Gunshot wounds and stab wounds were associated with intentional injuries. Contusion and hematoma were more likely seen in cases of assaults involving accessible areas during altercations – the cheek, eye, eyelid, and nose. Injuries over protected body sites such as the chest and neck also warrant suspicion of intentional injuries. The abdomen, back, and chest were sites of predilection for both GSW and stab wounds.

It should be second nature for all physicians to identify dermatologic and demographic cues to rule out possible cases of abuse.

Mycosis fungoides (MF) is the predominant type of primary cutaneous lymphoma, accounting for at least 40%. It usually occurs in middle to late adulthood with the average age of diagnosis between 55 and 60 years. Folliculotropic MF is a variant that clinically presents with patches, plaques, and unusual hair loss within lesions. It predominantly involves the head and neck region. This usually presents with intense pruritus and commonly with secondary bacterial infection. Cutis verticis gyrata is a rare skin condition characterized by thickening and folding of the scalp, resulting in a furrowed or ridged appearance, and rarely associated with mycosis fungoides. A 46-year-old male, Filipino, presented with a 1-year history of generalized follicular papules, erythematous plaques, and subsequently presented with cutis verticis gyrata. Histopathological examination revealed findings consistent with folliculotropic MF. This was further confirmed by CD3, CD4, CD5 which revealed strongly positive immunohistochemical staining. To the best of our knowledge, there is currently only one published case of folliculotropic MF that presented with cutis verticis gyrata and only four cases of cutis verticis gyrata published locally.

This case report presents a 22-year-old male with Pornography-Induced Psychogenic Erectile Dysfunction (ED), highlighting the growing prevalence of this condition in young men and emphasizing the importance of recognizing and addressing it in primary care settings. The patient presented with the primary complaint of an inability to sustain an erection, with erections lasting only for approximately one minute. He had an unremarkable past medical and family history, was a previous smoker, and engaged in occasional alcoholic beverage consumption. Psychological assessment revealed moderate erectile dysfunction, problematic use of pornography, and minimal anxiety.

A comprehensive treatment plan was implemented, incorporating lifestyle modifications, pharmacotherapy and psychological interventions (Motivational Interviewing, Brief Strategic Therapy, and Educational Counseling). The patient demonstrated a positive response to treatment, with significant improvements in both erectile function and control over pornography consumption, as evidenced by follow-up assessments.

This case underscores the need for healthcare professionals to routinely inquire about pornography consumption habits when assessing patients with ED, particularly young men. It emphasizes the importance of a thorough assessment, including medical, psychological, and sexual history, for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.

Furthermore, it demonstrates the value of an integrated treatment approach, addressing both physical and psychological factors, for optimal outcomes. Finally, it highlights the importance of patient education to enhance treatment adherence and motivation for change.

Basal Cell Nevus Syndrome (BCNS) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder characterized by a range of abnormalities, most notably multiple basal cell carcinomas (BCCs), odontogenic keratocysts, and palmar and/or plantar pits. BCC is the most common form of skin cancer globally. It is typically locally invasive and very rarely metastasizes, with distal metastases occurring in only 0.00028% to 0.55% of cases.

We present a case of a 68-year-old Filipino woman who was diagnosed with BCNS. She presented with multiple black nodules and plaques on her face and neck, histopathologically confirmed as BCCs. In addition, the presence of palmoplantar pits and calcification of the falx cerebri met three of the six major criteria for BCNS. Computed tomography (CT) and bone scans, revealed multiple bone metastases in the cranium, spine, sternum, and ribs. No previous cases of metastasis in a BCNS patient have been reported in the Philippines, making this the first documented case.

INTRODUCTION

Childhood Polyarteritis Nodosa (PAN) is a rare, systemic necrotizing vasculitis of the small to medium-sized vessels with an uncertain global distribution. The primary etiology is unknown. However, PAN is commonly associated with preceding Group A streptococcus infection in children. The most common cutaneous manifestations of PAN include tender subcutaneous nodules, livedo reticularis, digital ischemia and ulceration. To date, no reports have documented cutaneous PAN as a sequela of rheumatic fever.

This is a report of a 7-year-old Filipino male who presented with multiple, well-defined erythematous to hyperpigmented, firm, tender nodules, with some areas of lace or net-like macules and patches, some resolved leaving hyperpigmentation measuring 1x1 cm to 2x2 cm on the lower back, bilateral upper and lower extremities accompanied by fever, malaise, arthralgia and myalgia with a previous history of rheumatic fever. A 6mm skin punch biopsy revealed findings consistent with PAN. The patient was managed with prednisone. Due to the limited response to treatment, he was eventually given mycophenolate mofetil.

Childhood polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) is a rare form of necrotizing inflammation of the medium-sized blood vessels primarily linked to Group A streptococcal infection in children, with no known reported cases associated with rheumatic fever. However, in this case, we were able to observe that PAN could present as a probable rare sequela of rheumatic fever. This warrants close follow-up among such patients.

BACKGROUND

Keloids and hypertrophic scars are overgrowth of fibrous tissue after damage to the skin. There have been various published treatment modalities for these lesions. Currently, there are still no published studies on the use of laser-assisted drug delivery for hypertrophic scars and keloids in the Philippine setting.

To determine the efficacy and safety of laser-assisted drug delivery versus intralesional steroid injection alone for the treatment of keloid and hypertrophic scar.

This was a single center, randomized single-blind controlled study. Participants were randomly assigned into a control group (intralesional steroid injection) or a treatment group (laser-assisted drug delivery). The procedure was done monthly for four sessions. Assessment of lesions using the Vancouver Scar Scale was done at baseline and monthly post-sessions.

A total of 42 participants completed the study, which was divided into two groups of 21 samples each. Results showed that the mean difference in overall skin score from baseline to fourth treatment session was significantly lower in the laser-assisted drug delivery group than the intralesional group (–0.48±0.75 vs. –0.24±0.54, t=2.31, p=0.026). No adverse events were noted throughout the study period.

It is a promising option to use non-ablative fractional CO2 laser-assisted drug delivery as the treatment outcome was comparable to using intralesional steroid injection as monotherapy for keloids and hypertrophic scars.

BACKGROUND

Pediatric dermatoses are multifactorial and diverse. Environmental factors play a significant role in skin disease. This study described the prevalence of common dermatoses among pediatric population seen at a tertiary referral center in Pangasinan.

This was a 4-year retrospective, single center, chart review study in a tertiary referral hospital in Pangasinan. The researchers reviewed both electronic and medical charts of all pediatric outpatient and inpatient referrals with dermatoses from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2022 by utilizing Proportion sampling technique.

This study reviewed a total of 501 (Males, 49.5% and Females, 50.5%) outpatient and inpatient pediatric patients who consulted due to skin related concerns. The majority of the patients were school-age children and adolescents followed by newborns, infants and toddlers respectively. Scabies infestation (n=76, 15.2%), Acne vulgaris (n=53, 10.6%) and Atopic dermatitis (n=48, 9.6%) were the top 3 common dermatoses among pediatric age groups. Scabies was the top diagnosis for both male (n=37, 14.9%) and female (n=39, 15.4%). Acne vulgaris (n=50, 31.6%) was the most common diagnosis in the adolescent age group.

There was wide variation in the most common dermatosis according to age, sex, and year. Poor sanitation, overcrowding and low socioeconomic status are important factors for the increased prevalence of parasitic infestations. Acne vulgaris was seen almost exclusively in adolescents. This study served as a preliminary epidemiological report on pediatric dermatoses in Region 1 Medical Center that may pave the way for well-controlled and better designed researches in the future.

BACKGROUND

Scabies, recognized as one of the neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) by the WHO continues to persist in our locality today. Health education emerges as an indispensable tool, aimed at enhancing the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of Barangay Health Workers (BHWs). As the primary frontliners in our community, they encounter a wide array of skin conditions, but often lack the resources to manage them effectively.

The primary objective of this study is to assess the impact of health education on the KAP of BHWs concerning Scabies infestation.

A quasi-experimental, one-group pre-test-post-test design assessed the effectiveness of a 30-minute face-to-face lecture on BHWs’ KAP regarding Scabies infestation in the community. The study was conducted on April 25, 2023 at the Dagupan City Health office utilizing random population sampling.

The study included 45 BHW participants, 71.11% of whom had prior Scabies knowledge mainly from seminars/training (42.22%). Initially, most had poor baseline knowledge. Less than half (46.67%) identified skin manifestations and treatment accurately. Most displayed positive attitudes toward environmental management (91.11%) and fomite infection control (77.78%). After the lecture, the participants' total scores increased.

BHWs bridge the gap between healthcare and underserved populations. Equipping them with knowledge of diseases such as Scabies is imperative. This underscores the effectiveness of health education in enhancing their KAP towards Scabies. By empowering them, we can reduce the impact of NTDs in vulnerable communities. These findings have potential implications for future training programs, awareness campaigns, and further studies involving healthcare workers.