Background/Aims: Small bowel bleeding (SBB) is the main indication for videocapsule endoscopy (VCE); the diagnostic yield (DY) could be influenced by antithrombotic therapies. We explored the effects of these therapies on SBB. Methods: Consecutive patients from two centers (Milan, Italy and Sheffield, UK) who underwent VCE between March 2001 and July 2020 were considered. Demographic data, clinical parameters, drug therapy, and technical characteristics of the procedure were collected. VCE findings and DY were evaluated. Results: In total, 957 patients (1,052 VCEs) underwent VCE for SBB (DY 50.6%, no retention); 27 patients (27 VCEs) received direct oral anticoagulants, 87 (88 VCEs) received other anticoagulants, 115 (135 VCEs) received antiplatelet therapy, 198 (218 VCEs) received monotherapy, and 31 (32 VCEs) received combined therapy. There were no differences in the completion rate, findings, and DYs between each subgroup or between monotherapy and combined therapy. The overt bleeding rate was similar in all groups, even when comparing antithrombotic users versus those not on therapy (p=0.59) or monotherapy versus combined therapy (p=0.34). Conclusions VCE is safe and has a high clinical impact on SBB. Antithrombotic therapies did not affect DY or overt bleeding rate and, consequently, can be considered safe in terms of SBB risk.

Background/Aims: Optimization of bowel preparation for small bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE) is debated. Guidelines recommend 2 L of iso-osmolar polyethylene glycol (PEG) to improve SBCE visibility. We compared the efficacy of the standard 2 L PEG solution with a 1 L PEG plus ascorbate (PEG-ASC) preparation, which has already been established for large-bowel preparation. Methods: Between October 2020 and February 2022, patients undergoing SBCE were assigned to receive 2 L PEG or 1 L PEG-ASC bowel preparation on an even- or odd-day basis. Bowel cleanliness was evaluated using the small bowel mucosal visibility scoring system (SBMVSS). Results: Following propensity score matching using a random forest method, two comparable populations of patients treated with 2 L PEG (n=74, male 41%, 53±17 years) and 1 L PEG-ASC (n=74, male 42%, 55±21 years) were obtained from the original cohort of 221 consecutive SBCE patients. Our results showed a trend towards more frequent adequate mucosal visibility with 1 L PEG-ASC compared to 2 L PEG (small bowel mucosal visibility ≥2 in all three small bowel tertiles, p=0.07), as per the SBMVSS score. No significant differences were observed in the diagnostic yield (p=1.00), visibility score=9 (p=0.85), SBCE completeness (p=0.33), or adequate mucosal visibility in each tertile (p=0.61, p=0.74, and p=0.70 for the first, second, and third tertiles, respectively). Conclusions Our study suggests the non-inferiority of the 1 L PEG-ASC solution over the standard 2 L PEG for SBCE preparation.

Background/Aims: Small bowel bleeding (SBB) is the main indication for videocapsule endoscopy (VCE); the diagnostic yield (DY) could be influenced by antithrombotic therapies. We explored the effects of these therapies on SBB. Methods: Consecutive patients from two centers (Milan, Italy and Sheffield, UK) who underwent VCE between March 2001 and July 2020 were considered. Demographic data, clinical parameters, drug therapy, and technical characteristics of the procedure were collected. VCE findings and DY were evaluated. Results: In total, 957 patients (1,052 VCEs) underwent VCE for SBB (DY 50.6%, no retention); 27 patients (27 VCEs) received direct oral anticoagulants, 87 (88 VCEs) received other anticoagulants, 115 (135 VCEs) received antiplatelet therapy, 198 (218 VCEs) received monotherapy, and 31 (32 VCEs) received combined therapy. There were no differences in the completion rate, findings, and DYs between each subgroup or between monotherapy and combined therapy. The overt bleeding rate was similar in all groups, even when comparing antithrombotic users versus those not on therapy (p=0.59) or monotherapy versus combined therapy (p=0.34). Conclusions VCE is safe and has a high clinical impact on SBB. Antithrombotic therapies did not affect DY or overt bleeding rate and, consequently, can be considered safe in terms of SBB risk.

Background/Aims: Optimization of bowel preparation for small bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE) is debated. Guidelines recommend 2 L of iso-osmolar polyethylene glycol (PEG) to improve SBCE visibility. We compared the efficacy of the standard 2 L PEG solution with a 1 L PEG plus ascorbate (PEG-ASC) preparation, which has already been established for large-bowel preparation. Methods: Between October 2020 and February 2022, patients undergoing SBCE were assigned to receive 2 L PEG or 1 L PEG-ASC bowel preparation on an even- or odd-day basis. Bowel cleanliness was evaluated using the small bowel mucosal visibility scoring system (SBMVSS). Results: Following propensity score matching using a random forest method, two comparable populations of patients treated with 2 L PEG (n=74, male 41%, 53±17 years) and 1 L PEG-ASC (n=74, male 42%, 55±21 years) were obtained from the original cohort of 221 consecutive SBCE patients. Our results showed a trend towards more frequent adequate mucosal visibility with 1 L PEG-ASC compared to 2 L PEG (small bowel mucosal visibility ≥2 in all three small bowel tertiles, p=0.07), as per the SBMVSS score. No significant differences were observed in the diagnostic yield (p=1.00), visibility score=9 (p=0.85), SBCE completeness (p=0.33), or adequate mucosal visibility in each tertile (p=0.61, p=0.74, and p=0.70 for the first, second, and third tertiles, respectively). Conclusions Our study suggests the non-inferiority of the 1 L PEG-ASC solution over the standard 2 L PEG for SBCE preparation.

Background/Aims: Small bowel bleeding (SBB) is the main indication for videocapsule endoscopy (VCE); the diagnostic yield (DY) could be influenced by antithrombotic therapies. We explored the effects of these therapies on SBB. Methods: Consecutive patients from two centers (Milan, Italy and Sheffield, UK) who underwent VCE between March 2001 and July 2020 were considered. Demographic data, clinical parameters, drug therapy, and technical characteristics of the procedure were collected. VCE findings and DY were evaluated. Results: In total, 957 patients (1,052 VCEs) underwent VCE for SBB (DY 50.6%, no retention); 27 patients (27 VCEs) received direct oral anticoagulants, 87 (88 VCEs) received other anticoagulants, 115 (135 VCEs) received antiplatelet therapy, 198 (218 VCEs) received monotherapy, and 31 (32 VCEs) received combined therapy. There were no differences in the completion rate, findings, and DYs between each subgroup or between monotherapy and combined therapy. The overt bleeding rate was similar in all groups, even when comparing antithrombotic users versus those not on therapy (p=0.59) or monotherapy versus combined therapy (p=0.34). Conclusions VCE is safe and has a high clinical impact on SBB. Antithrombotic therapies did not affect DY or overt bleeding rate and, consequently, can be considered safe in terms of SBB risk.

Background/Aims: Optimization of bowel preparation for small bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE) is debated. Guidelines recommend 2 L of iso-osmolar polyethylene glycol (PEG) to improve SBCE visibility. We compared the efficacy of the standard 2 L PEG solution with a 1 L PEG plus ascorbate (PEG-ASC) preparation, which has already been established for large-bowel preparation. Methods: Between October 2020 and February 2022, patients undergoing SBCE were assigned to receive 2 L PEG or 1 L PEG-ASC bowel preparation on an even- or odd-day basis. Bowel cleanliness was evaluated using the small bowel mucosal visibility scoring system (SBMVSS). Results: Following propensity score matching using a random forest method, two comparable populations of patients treated with 2 L PEG (n=74, male 41%, 53±17 years) and 1 L PEG-ASC (n=74, male 42%, 55±21 years) were obtained from the original cohort of 221 consecutive SBCE patients. Our results showed a trend towards more frequent adequate mucosal visibility with 1 L PEG-ASC compared to 2 L PEG (small bowel mucosal visibility ≥2 in all three small bowel tertiles, p=0.07), as per the SBMVSS score. No significant differences were observed in the diagnostic yield (p=1.00), visibility score=9 (p=0.85), SBCE completeness (p=0.33), or adequate mucosal visibility in each tertile (p=0.61, p=0.74, and p=0.70 for the first, second, and third tertiles, respectively). Conclusions Our study suggests the non-inferiority of the 1 L PEG-ASC solution over the standard 2 L PEG for SBCE preparation.

BACKGROUND

The Universal Health Care (UHC) Act of 2019 aims to improve health outcomes by strengthening primary care. The Konsulta outpatient benefit package is a key component of this reform. However, package availability does not guarantee utilization. Factors such as awareness, perceptions, and attitudes influence benefit use.

This study aimed to determine the awareness, perceptions, and attitudes regarding the Konsulta outpatient benefit package among working-age Filipino adults consulting at a tertiary government hospital.

A cross-sectional study was conducted with 218 respondents. The questionnaire covered sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, awareness, perceptions, and attitudes regarding Konsulta package. Data was analyzed through descriptive statistics.

Twenty-one percent (45/218) of Filipino adults were familiar with Konsulta package. Respondents who were aware of Konsulta were generally aged 51-59, female, unemployed, completed secondary education, lived in Metro Manila, diagnosed with chronic disease, and had previous PhilHealth benefit use. Konsulta facilities were found to be moderately accessible, and the package was reported to reduce out-of-pocket healthcare expenses and to be easy to avail with short waiting times. However, there were limitations in coverage of health services. Negative attitudes predominated among those who were aware of the package (29/45, 64%), particularly concerning program value and effectiveness.

Filipino adults consulting at the Philippine General Hospital-Family Medicine Clinic have low awareness level on PhilHealth Konsulta Package. It was perceived to reduce healthcare expenses and to be easy to avail with short waiting times, but limitations in accessibility and appropriateness were reported. Negative attitudes toward program value and effectiveness were identified.

Scapular or shoulder blade surgeries are uncommon in routine anesthesia practice. Most undisplaced injuries are managed conservatively; therefore, the literature on appropriate anesthetic management plans for scapular surgeries is sparse. This bone is well-protected by the surrounding muscles and tissues, and any surgery is associated with significant tissue exploration and excessive postoperative pain. The complicated innervation of the structures surrounding this bone makes pain management extremely challenging. However, recent advances in ultrasound-guided nerve blocks and cadaveric studies have been helpful in identifying target nerves to provide analgesia or even surgical anesthesia, if planned carefully. Literature searches in PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar resulted in only a handful of articles, mainly case reports and series, in addition to being inaccessible because of the need for subscription charges. We aimed to gather as much information as possible to cover all possible regional blocks that can be performed for scapular surgeries and compile them concisely in a single article.

Background: The standard dose (SD) of horse anti-thymocyte globulin (hATG) ATGAM (Pfizer, USA) or its biosimilar thymogam (Bharat Serum, India) for the treatment of Aplastic Anemia (AA) is 40 mg/kg/day for 4 days in combination with cyclosporine. Data on the impact of hATG dose on long-term outcomes are limited. Here, we describe our comparative experience using 25 mg/kg/day (low-dose [LD]) hATG for 4 days with SD for the treatment of AA. Methods: We retrospectively studied patients with AA (age > 12 years) who received two doses of hATG combined with cyclosporine. Among 93 AA patients who received hATG, 62 (66.7%) and 31 (33.3%) patients received LD and SD hATG with cyclosporine, respectively. Among these,seventeen(18.2%) patients also received eltrombopag with hATG and cyclosporine. Overall response rates [complete response (CR) and partial response (PR)] of LD and SD hATG groups at 3 months (50% vs. 48.4%; p = 0.88), 6 months (63.8% vs. 71.4%; p = 0.67), and 12 months (69.6% vs.79.2%; p = 0.167) were comparable. The mean (Standard Deviation) 5-year Kaplan–Meier estimate of overall survival and event-free survival was 82.1 (4.6)% and 70.9 (5.5)% for the study population. The mean (standard deviation) 5-year Kaplan–Meier estimate of overall survival and event-free survival of those who received LD hATG versus SD hATG dose was 82.9 (5·3)% versus 74.8 (10·3)% (p = 0·439), and 75.2 (6.2)% versus 61.4(11.2)% (p = 0·441). Conclusion Our study revealed that the response rates of patients with AA and LD were similar to those of patients with SD to hATG combined with cyclosporine in a real-world setting.

Purpose: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a subtype of breast cancer known for its poor prognosis and the absence of viable targets for standard receptor-based therapies.Several studies have suggested that targeting programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) in tumors that express this biomarker, either on tumor cells and/or in the tumor inflammatory infiltrate, may be beneficial in some patients. This study aimed to assess the overall prevalence of PD-L1 positivity using the SP142 antibody clone in patients with advanced TNBC in Malaysia. Methods: This was a multicenter, cross-sectional prevalence study on PD-L1 positivity among patients with advanced-stage TNBC in Malaysia. Patients were identified using medical records and were enrolled in the study if they met the inclusion criteria. PD-L1 evaluation was performed using archived formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue specimens. Demographic and clinical data were also obtained and summarized using descriptive statistics. The association of these parameters with PD-L1 positivity was assessed using chi-square and logistic regression analysis. Results: Three medical centers provided 138 complete cases for analysis. Of these 138 cases, 52 (37.7%; 95% confidence interval, 29.6%–46.3%) showed positive PD-L1 expression, defined as immune cell PD-L1 expression ≥ 1%. In a univariate analysis, stage III of the disease and tumor samples from resected specimens were significantly associated with a positive PD-L1 status. However, further assessment using a multivariate model revealed that only resected tumor samples remained significantly associated with PD-L1 positivity after controlling for disease staging. Conclusion The prevalence of PD-L1 positivity among patients with stage III or IV TNBC was 37.7%. A significant association was noted between PD-L1 positivity and the tumor tissue obtained from resected specimens. Although the mechanism and clinical significance of this association remain unclear, this finding indicates a possible disparity in the PD-L1 status of samples obtained using surgical resection or biopsy.