BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Orthodontic brackets predispose dental biofilm accumulation causing caries and gingivitis. Chlorhexidine is an adjunct to mechanical plaque removal, but has side-effects (tooth staining, bacterial resistance) due to long term use. This study tested the efficacy of Photodynamic Therapy, which produces reactive oxygen species, to reduce Streptococcus mutans in dental biofilm on orthodontic brackets.

A 5-day S. mutans biofilm was grown on forty enamel-bracket specimens. Thirty-nine specimens were randomized to three treatment groups: A. Distilled Water; B. 0.12% Chlorhexidine (CHX); C. Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) using Toluidine Blue O (TBO) as a photosensitizer, activated by red LED (630nm). After treatment, one random specimen from each group was viewed under Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy (ESEM); the other 12 specimens, biofilms were collected, weighed, and cultured onto BHI agar plates to determine the number of CFU/mg. For baseline evaluation, one clean and one untreated specimens were preserved for ESEM.

Based on Tukey HSD test, group A had the most S. mutans (37.0573 CFU/mg) and was significantly different (p < 0.05) from groups B (0.1712 CFU/mg) and C (1.1193 CFU/mg), where both showed less bacteria than group A. The statistical difference between groups B and C was insignificant. ESEM images showed specimen A covered with more abundant and denser S. mutans biofilm than specimens B and C, with almost similar morphology showing sparse, less dense, and disintegrated biofilm with unclear cellular walls and presence of amorphous masses.

Both Photodynamic Therapy and 0.12% Chlorhexidine showed a significant reduction of S. mutans in dental biofilm on orthodontic brackets. However, there is no significant difference between them in reducing S. mutans CFU/mg. Photodynamic therapy could be an alternative adjunctive tool to mechanical removal of plaque adhered to orthodontic brackets.

BACKGROUND

Bronchial asthma is one of the most common chronic childhood diseases encountered in the primary care setting. Adherence to recommendations from clinical practice guidelines on asthma can be utilized as an indicator of quality of care when evaluating the implementation of the universal health care in the Philippines.

To determine the clinical profile of pediatric patients with bronchial asthma; and to evaluate the prescription patterns for asthma treatment in a primary care setting.

This was a retrospective cohort study that involved review of the electronic medical records in a rural site of the Philippine Primary Care Studies (PPCS). All patients less than 19 years old who were diagnosed with asthma from April 2019 to March 2021 were included. Quality indicators for asthma care were based on adherence to recommendations from the 2019 Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) Guidelines.

This study included 240 asthmatic children with mean age of 6 years (SD ± 4.9) and a slight male preponderance (55.4%). Majority (138 children or 57.5%) were less than 6 years old. Out of the 240 children, 224 (93.3%) were prescribed inhaled short-acting beta-agonists (SABA) and 66 (27.5%) were prescribed oral SABA. Only 14 children (5.8%) were prescribed inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), with 13 children (5.4%) given ICS with longacting beta-agonists (LABA) preparations, and one child (0.4%) given ICS alone. Quality indicators used in this study revealed underutilization of ICS treatment across all age groups, and an overuse of SABA-only treatment in children 6 years old and above. Moreover, 71.3% of the total patients were prescribed antibiotics despite the current GINA recommendation of prescribing antibiotics only for patients with strong evidence of lung infection, such as fever or radiographic evidence of pneumonia.

There were 240 children diagnosed with asthma over a 2-year period in a rural community, with a mean age of 6 years old and a slight male predominance. This quality-of-care study noted suboptimal adherence of rural health physicians to the treatment recommendations of the GINA guidelines, with overuse of SABA and underuse of ICS for asthma control.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to determine the hemodialysis adequacy of dialyzer reuse in pediatric patients undergoing maintenance HD. Specifically, the study aims to determine the median urea reduction ratio (URR) and single pool Kt/V (sp Kt/V) in relation to number of dialyzer reuse, as well as the percentage of patients receiving adequate hemodialysis for each subsequent dialyzer reuse based on the median URR and sp Kt/V. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 17 CKD patients who used 25 dialyzer samples were included in the study. Blood samples for determination of pre- and post-HD blood urea nitrogen were extracted from the hemodialysis access (i.e. central venous access, arteriovenous fistula) prior to initiation and after termination of HD treatment. Additional data such as HD duration (in hours), ultrafiltration volume (in liters), and post-dialysis weight were also noted for the computation of hemodialysis adequacy based on URR and sp Kt/V. RESULTS: There was a marked reduction in adequacy rate based on URR observed at 4th use (78.9%) which further declined until 50% adequacy rate only at 10th use. Moreover, there was a marked reduction in the median URR observed at 4 th use (69.79) which further declined until a median URR of 65.08 at 10th use. There was also a marked reduction in adequacy rate based on sp Kt/V at 4th use (78.9%) which further declined until 50% adequacy rate only at 10th use. In addition, there was a marked reduction in median sp Kt/V observed at 4th use (1.37) which further declined until a median sp Kt/V of 1.30 at 10th use. CONCLUSION Among pediatric patients on HD, the adequacy rates based on URR and sp Kt/V both showed a decline over multiple uses of the dialyzer, particularly after 3rd use and with occasional fluctuations between 6th to 7th use. These findings suggest the need for closer monitoring and potential adjustments to improve dialysis efficiency and patient outcomes. Further studies are needed to explore the factors contributing to the decline in adequacy rates over multiple uses of the dialyzer in this patient population.
hemodialysis ; hemodialysis adequacy ; dialyzer reuse

BACKGROUND

Intraoperative transfusion for gynecologic surgery, when appropriately used, can improve patient outcomes. However, when utilized incorrectly, blood transfusion can worsen patient outcomes and increase patient cost. This study aimed to evaluate the blood transfusion practices of tertiary hospitals in the Philippines.

The study utilized a cross-sectional design wherein prospective data were gathered through multiple sources across seven tertiary-level hospitals. Women admitted to undergo gynecologic surgery were recruited based on a set of criteria. A chart review was conducted, and blood utilization indices were calculated. Outcomes were compared between public versus private facilities and transfused versus nontransfused patients.

Among 514 patients, 79.7% underwent cross-matching and 75.1% received transfusions. Adverse events were rare, with no transfusion-related deaths. The overall crossmatch-to-transfusion ratio (C/T ratio) was 2.8, exceeding the 2.5 optimal benchmark; all public hospitals recorded a C/T ratio >2.5, whereas private centers had more efficient usage. Six hospitals met acceptable benchmarks for transfusion probability and transfusion index. Open abdominal procedures, particularly hysterectomy, accounted for the most blood used. Transfused patients had longer operative times, greater blood loss, lower preoperative hemoglobin, and more frequently involved resident physicians in training. Public hospitals recorded higher cross-match and transfusion rates, greater resident physician participation, and broader use of general anesthesia.

Results of the study highlight the importance of monitoring blood transfusion parameters to optimize blood utilization. The observed differences between public and private institutions in the country highlight the urgent need for standardized and evidence-based practice to ensure efficient transfusion protocols nationwide.

BACKGROUND

PhilHealth serves as the Philippines’ national health insurance provider and is central to implementing the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law. Despite this, existing gaps and ongoing challenges in claims and financial management systems continue to affect public healthcare facilities’ operations and sustainability.

This article examined the effectiveness and challenges of PhilHealth’s claims and financial management systems in public healthcare facilities, focusing on accreditation, claims processing, reimbursements, and financial governance.

A qualitative multiple-case study design was employed in Quezon City and the provinces of La Union, Sorsogon, Leyte, and Bukidnon, with data collected from 2022 to 2023. Prior to data collection, a certificate of exemption was granted by the Department of Health – Single Joint Research Ethics Board (DOH-SJREB). Data were collected through key informant interviews with healthcare facility heads, claims processors, and PhilHealth personnel, supplemented by document reviews and facility observations. Thematic analysis was employed to examine the implementation of national health insurance policies at the facility level.

Accreditation standards are uniformly defined, yet compliance varies widely, directly influencing reimbursement outcomes. Facilities with compliance gaps often face provisional accreditation, downgrades, or suspension, resulting in reduced revenue. Although the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law guarantees patient access to PhilHealth benefits, the efficiency of claims processing remains uneven and highly dependent on administrative capacity, staffing adequacy, and digital infrastructure. Systemic inefficiencies at both PhilHealth and facility levels contribute to delays and claim denials. Reimbursements are further constrained by outdated case rate ceilings, inconsistent financial practices, inadequate recordkeeping, weak information systems, and poor storage conditions—particularly in lower-level hospitals and rural health units.

Reforms in claims processing workflows, information system integration, and financial management capacities are crucial to enhance reimbursement efficiency. Strengthening these systems is fundamental for supporting sustainable, equitable, and high-quality healthcare delivery in the public sector within the Universal Health Care (UHC) framework.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Orthodontic brackets predispose dental biofilm accumulation causing caries and gingivitis. Chlorhexidine is an adjunct to mechanical plaque removal, but has side-effects (tooth staining, bacterial resistance) due to long term use. This study tested the efficacy of Photodynamic Therapy, which produces reactive oxygen species, to reduce Streptococcus mutans in dental biofilm on orthodontic brackets.

A 5-day S. mutans biofilm was grown on forty enamel-bracket specimens. Thirty-nine specimens were randomized to three treatment groups: A. Distilled Water; B. 0.12% Chlorhexidine (CHX); C. Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) using Toluidine Blue O (TBO) as a photosensitizer, activated by red LED (630nm). After treatment, one random specimen from each group was viewed under Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy (ESEM); the other 12 specimens, biofilms were collected, weighed, and cultured onto BHI agar plates to determine the number of CFU/mg. For baseline evaluation, one clean and one untreated specimens were preserved for ESEM.

Based on Tukey HSD test, group A had the most S. mutans (37.0573 CFU/mg) and was significantly different (pCONCLUSION

Both Photodynamic Therapy and 0.12% Chlorhexidine showed a significant reduction of S. mutans in dental biofilm on orthodontic brackets. However, there is no significant difference between them in reducing S. mutans CFU/mg. Photodynamic therapy could be an alternative adjunctive tool to mechanical removal of plaque adhered to orthodontic brackets.

BACKGROUND

This first clinical practice guideline (CPG) on osteoporosis prevention and management in the Philippines is the output of a shared undertaking by a multidisciplinary CPG development team spearheaded by the Osteoporosis Society of the Philippines Foundation, Inc. and joined by the Philippine Academy of Family Physicians; the Philippine College of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism; the Philippine Orthopedic Association; the Philippine Obstetrics and Gynecological Society and the Philippine Rheumatology Association. This guideline seeks to augment and update the "Consensus statements on osteoporosis diagnosis, prevention and management in the Philippines," initially published in 2011, incorporating evidence-based practices developed in the last decade.

The steering committee formulated and prioritized clinical questions based on meetings and stakeholder consultations. A PICO (population, intervention, comparator, outcome) format was used to develop clinical questions and guide the systematic search for evidence. The development of guidelines followed the ADAPTE process. Once completed, panel discussions were done using the Evidence to Decision Framework. After the panel discussions, the final recommendations were revised.

Thirty-four recommendations were formulated to address 27 clinical questions related to screening, prevention, diagnosis, pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatment, surgical management, follow-up, and continuity of care. With these recommendations, the developers aim to establish a standard of care in the prevention, diagnosis and management of osteoporosis and fragility fractures in both in-patient and out-patient cases that are appropriate to the Philippine context. Specifically, the CPG development group aims to use these recommendations to define the standard of care for osteoporosis as part of universal healthcare services once the program is implemented nationally. Relevant stakeholders may also use the recommendations to inform public and private payor policies for patients with fragility fractures, as well as by local government units or private companies looking to establish orthogeriatric centers with fracture liaison services.

This guideline is helpful for physicians and other allied health personnel in screening, diagnosis, management and prevention of primary osteoporosis and fragility fractures among postmenopausal women and older men.

Background: With the surge of COVID-19 infections, there were concerns about shortage of mechanical ventilator in several countries including the Philippines. Objective: To transform a locally made, low-cost, neonatal ventilator into a volume- and pressure-controlled, adult ventilator and to determine its safe use among ventilated, adult patients at the Philippine General Hospital. Methods: The modification of the neonatal ventilator (OstreaVent1) to the adult OstreaVent2 was based on the critical need for adult ventilators, in volume or pressure mode, in the Philippines due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The adult ventilator settings were calibrated and tested for two days to check for consistency and tolerance and then submitted to a third party for certification. Once certified, a safety trial of 10 stable adult patients on mechanical ventilator was conducted. The patients were placed on the OstreaVent2 for four hours while ventilator parameters, patient’s vital signs, and arterial blood gases were monitored at baseline, during, and after placement on the OstreaVent2. A poststudy chest radiograph was also done to rule out pulmonary complications, particularly atelectasis and pneumothorax. Results: The prototype OstreaVent2 received an FDA Certification for Medical Listing after passing its thirdparty certification. Ten patients (60% male) recruited in the study had a mean age of 39.1 ± 11.6 years. Half of the patients had a diagnosis of non-COVID-19 pneumonia. During the 4-hour study period, the patients while on the OstreaVent2, had stable ventilator settings and most of the variabilities were within the acceptable tolerances. Vital signs were stable and arterial blood gases were within normal limits. One patient developed alar flaring which was relieved by endotracheal tube suctioning. No patient was withdrawn from the study. One patient who was already transferred out of the ICU subsequently deteriorated and died three days after transfer to the stepdown unit from a non-ventilator related cause. Conclusion The new OstreaVent2 is safe to use among adults who need ventilator support. Variabilities in the ventilator’s performance were within acceptable tolerances. Clinical and blood gas measurements of the patients were stable while on the ventilator.
Respiration, Artificial

Background: There are various attitudes regarding their child's screen usage. However, there are no existing Filipino-translated and culturally appropriate questionnaires or assessment tools that can measure a child's media exposure, screen use, and parental attitude. The Media Exposure Survey is an assessment tool that measures a child’s media exposure, screen use, and parental attitudes regarding their child’s screen usage. Objectives: The study aims to contextualize and translate the questionnaire into Filipino, determine its content validity and internal consistency, and check the translated questionnaire's compatibility and applicability. Methods: The study involves four steps: 1) content validity testing, 2) forward and backward translation and equivalence, 3) pilot testing of the pre-final version, and 4) reliability resting. Data analysis was done to evaluate the content validity and internal consistency of the questionnaire. Thirty-six parents of children aged 0-5 in Metro Manila pilot tested the tool. Results: A cross-culturally adapted version of the Media Exposure Survey has been produced with good content validity. The S-CVI of the questionnaire is 95%, which is excellent. The parental attitude towards childhood media use subscale has an acceptable internal consistency with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.77. Conclusion The translated and adapted Media Exposure Survey has good content validity and acceptable internal consistency and can be used to assess Filipino children’s media exposure, screen use, and parental attitudes toward media use.
Surveys and Questionnaires ; Screen Time ; Psychometrics

Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins ; Apoptosis ; Antiviral Agents/pharmacology* ; Mitochondrial Proteins ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology*