BACKGROUND

Moyamoya angiopathy (MMA) is a rare cause of stroke, yet its incidence and outcomes are understudied in Southeast Asia, despite being the third most populous geographical region in the world. Our aim was to enhance understanding of MMA in this population and present a case from our experience

METHODOLOGY

A systematic literature search on MMA in the Southeast Asian population was performed via PubMed, Scopus, and Wiley Online Library, including local journals and databases up until May 2024. Descriptive statistics were used to synthesize data. We also present a case of a 36 year-old Filipino female diagnosed with MMAfollowed by superficial temporal artery-middle cerebral artery (STA-MCA) bypass and resolution of symptoms.

RESULTS

Out of the 275 articles retrieved, 23 articles detailing 37 patients of Southeast Asian nationality were included in this review. Stroke predominated (76.3%, n=29) as initial presentation, followed by seizures (36.8%, n=14), movement disorders (n=4, 10.5%) and headaches (n=4, 10.5%). Treatment included antiplatelet therapy for 57.9% (n=22), and anti seizure medications for 26.3% (n=10) of cases. Only 21% (n=8) underwent surgical intervention, primarily via direct bypass. Outcomes based on the Modified Rankin Scale (MRS) showed 94.7% (n=36) had retained a functional score of MRS ≤2.

CONCLUSION

Our review underscores the scarcity of data on MMAin Southeast Asians, and highlights the varied clinical presentation. Effective management requires a tailored approach, with surgical management showing favorable outcomes. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies to assess long-term outcomes, explore the genetic and environmental factors, and develop standardized treatment protocols to improve patient care in this ethnically diverse population.

There have been multiple reports already regarding acute carbon monoxide/CO poisoning in the Philippines secondary to misuse of portable generators, especially during the times of typhoon. We present a case of unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning in a Filipino household wherein three of its members were found dead and leaving other five unconscious before they were rushed to the hospital. The index patient had increased serum fraction percentage of carboxyhemoglobin level and presented with rhabdomyolysis during admission. Neuroimaging confirmed a hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy secondary to carbon monoxide intoxication. Even without hyperbaric oxygen therapy, patient improved with adequate hydration, early rehabilitation and trauma-focused psychotherapy.
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning ; Carbon Monoxide ; Family Characteristics

Background: Studies show that healthcare workers from previous pandemics have experienced high levels of stress, anxiety with negative psychological impacts. This paper aims to identify factors affecting mental health outcomes of healthcare workers during Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional design was used to determine factors affecting mental health outcome of healthcare workers with direct contact to patients with COVID-19. Depression, anxiety and distress were measured by the nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire, seven-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale, and 22-item Impact of Event Scale–Revised, respectively. Binomial multiple logistic regression model was used to identify the factors associated with mental health outcome. Results: 172 healthcare workers were included. Prevalence of depression, anxiety and distress symptoms among all healthcare workers were 57%, 47.7%, 65.1%, respectively. Age and living with a family with comorbidities are significantly associated with depression and anxiety. Healthcare workers aged 31 years and above are 70% less likely to have depression symptoms (OR 0.278, CI 95%, 0.11-0.72 p=0.008 and OR 0.273, CI 95%, 0.12-0.61, p=0.002). Those living with relatives with comorbidities are 2.7 times more likely to experience depression symptoms (OR 2.731, CI 95%, 1.36-5.5, p=0.005). Healthcare workers age 31-40 years has 80% less likely to experience anxiety symptoms (OR 0.212, CI 95%, 0.09-0.5, p<0.001), and those age 41 and above have 73% less likely to have anxiety symptoms (OR 0.37, CI 95%, 0.14-0.98, p<0.045). Those living with relatives with comorbidities are 2.9 times more likely to have anxiety symptoms (OR 2.889, CI 95%, 1.46-5.73, p=0.002). Level of knowledge on COVID-19 among health care workers significantly differs across severity but has no significant association with prevalence of depression. No factors were associated with distress symptom. Conclusion Cognizant of high rates of depression, anxiety and distress among our younger healthcare workers living with relatives with comorbidities will be a challenge to establish and/or improve existing programs to promote and address mental health needs. Psychological stress can accumulate over time and have an impact later in the outbreak which should be investigated in future studies.
Health Personnel ; COVID-19

BACKGROUND: Critical illness neuropathy (CINP) is defined as an acute and primary axonal motor and sensory neural disease occurring in critically ill patients leading to severe limb weakness as well as difficulty in weaning. It could co-exist with myopathy hence the term critical illness polyneuropathy and myopathy (CIPNM). The clinical presentation of critical illness polyneuropathy includes flaccid quadriplegia without affecting cranial nerves. It usually complicates the clinical course of a patient on mechanical ventilation with severe sepsis and MODS. The cornerstone in the diagnosis of neuromuscular disorders in the critically ill is the electrophysiological evaluation. Until recently the only possible way to affect the incidence was to reduce the risk factors. Hyperglycemia is associated with adverse outcomes, including increased mortality and CIPNM, in acutely ill patients.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the relevant literature and determine the effect of intensive insulin therapy (ITT) versus conventional insulin therapy (ITT) in preventing the occurrence of critical illness polyneuropathy and myopathy among critically ill patients.

SEARCH STRATEGY: The search was performed by means of MEDLINE, PUBMED, Ovid SP, Science Direct, and Cochrane library database limited to studies written in English using the words "randomized clinical trial", "intensive insulin therapy", "intensive insulin therapy in critical illness", "critical illness", "critical illness polyneuropathy", "critical illness myopathy", and "critical illness polyneuropathy and myopathy". The title and abstract of the studies were evaluated. The references of each study selected were screened to identify studies that were not included on electronic search. Key journals and textbooks were also searched. References mentioned in the textbooks were likewise reviewed.

SELECTION CRITERIA: Studies were chosen if they met the following inclusion criteria: the study was a randomized controlled trial; the study participants were adults; a critical care setting used; the intensive insulin therapy was defined by a target blood glucose concentration of 80-110mg/dl; the conventional insulin therapy was defined by a target blood glucose concentration 210mg/dl; studies that documented critical illness polyneuropathy and myopathy (CIPNM).

DATA COLLECTION & ANALYSIS: Two reviewers independently did validity assessment. Analysis of data was done by statistical packs Revman 5.0 from the Cochrane Collaboration.

MAIN RESULTS: The search resulted in recovery of 3 trials met the inclusion criteria. A total of 1,188 patients from the 3 randomized trials were evaluated. Five hundred forty six (546) to received intensive insulin therapy (ITT) in contrast the six hundred forty two (642) who received conventional insulin therapy (CIT). The analysis using the presence of electrophysiological evidence of CIP/CIM showed that the IIT group had a lower event rate (151/546 or 28%) as compared to the CIT group (263/642 or 41%). This resulted to a total odds ratio (OR) of 0.51 with the confidence interval fixed at 95%. The relative risk (RR) was computed at 0.68 with a number needed to treat (NNT) of 7.8

REVIEWERS' CONCLUSIONS: IIT is an effective therapy that could actually decrease the incidence of critical illness polyneuropathy and myopathy among critically ill patients.

Human ; Humans ; Adult ; Critical Illness ; Odds Ratio ; Risk Factors ; Incidence ; Medline ; Insulin ; Blood Glucose ; Respiration, Artificial ; Confidence Intervals ; Quadriplegia ; Patient Selection ; Multiple Organ Failure ; Polyneuropathies ; Neuromuscular Diseases ; Muscular Diseases ; Critical Care ; Hyperglycemia ; Sepsis ; Cranial Nerves

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study is to determine how many among a population of Filipino with tardive dyskinesia lack awareness of their motor dysfunction.

METHODS

Forty-six patients with schizophrenia and tardive dyskinesia participated in the study. The 10th item of the Abnormal Involuntany Movement Scale that pertains to the patients' awareness of abnormal movements was used to assess the patients' awareness of their tardive dyskinesia.

RESULTS

Thirty seven (80.43%) of the forty-six patients were not aware of their dyskinetic movements.

CONCLUSION

A very common feature of schizophrenia is the lack of awareness of tardive dyskinesia. Thus there is a need for objective means of determining the presence of tardive dyskinesia since most patients are unaware of their motor dysfunction.

Human ; Dyskinesias ; Tardive Dyskinesia ; Awareness ; Patients