BACKGROUND

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly transforming various fields, including healthcare. In occupational therapy (OT), Generative AI (GenAI) holds promise for enhancing clinical practice and patient outcomes. However, its successful integration depends not only on technological advancements but also on the perceptions, acceptance, and experiences of clinicians. Despite global interest, limited research exists on the perspectives of OT practitioners in the Philippines.

OBJECTIVE

A qualitative study will be conducted with a theoretical sample of 15 OT clinicians actively working across Metro Manila who are familiar with AI, excluding those in academic roles. The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) will be used as a guiding framework to understand OT clinicians' attitudes towards the usage of GenAI. After a successful pilot test, one-on-one semi-structured interviews will be
conducted online. Data will be thematically analyzed using NVivo 15, following a coding framework

METHODS

A qualitative study will be conducted with a theoretical sample of 15 OT clinicians actively working across Metro Manila who are familiar with AI, excluding those in academic roles. The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) will be used as a guiding framework to understand OT clinicians' attitudes towards the usage of GenAI. After a successful pilot test, one-on-one semi-structured interviews will be
conducted online. Data will be thematically analyzed using NVivo 15, following a coding framework

EXPECTED RESULTS

The study is expected to provide insights into the familiarity, experiences, attitudes, and intentions of OT clinicians in Metro Manila regarding AI use in clinical practice. Findings may identify perceived benefits, concerns, ethical and practical considerations, and factors influencing the adoption of AI, highlighting opportunities and barriers for its responsible integration into OT practice.

Human ; Artificial Intelligence ; Occupational Therapy

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a complex condition with diverse clinical presentations, ranging from typical heartburn and regurgitation symptoms to extraesophageal manifestations and alarm symptoms. Determining which patients should be tested first versus those who should receive empirical treatment remains a key clinical challenge. If not recently performed, initial patient testing, commonly involving upper endoscopy, is recommended for patients presenting with alarm or refractory symptoms and for those at high risk for Barrett’s esophagus. Additionally, testing should be prioritized for patients with underlying comorbidities, such as scleroderma, increased body mass index, or a suspected large hiatal hernia. Older patients with atypical symptom presentations and those with extraesophageal symptoms or signs, especially in the absence of typical GERD symptoms, should also be referred for endoscopy if recent endoscopic results are not available. In contrast, patients with typical GERD symptoms in the absence of alarm features and those with extraesophageal symptoms accompanied by typical GERD symptoms could begin empirical treatment with a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) or potassium competitive acid blocker (PCAB). For individuals without alarm symptoms who do not respond to once-daily PPI therapy, escalation to twice-daily PPI therapy or switching to a PCAB, without further testing, is appropriate. Overall, an individualized approach is recommended, with patient presentation guiding the decision to test or treat first.

Purpose: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is more prevalent in men than women, but the mechanisms responsible for this are not fully understood. We aimed to evaluate differences in trimethylamine (TMA), a microbial metabolite and its oxidized form, trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), which is thought to promote atherosclerosis, between men and women with coronary heart disease (CHD), using as a reference a non-CVD population. Materials and Methods: This study was carried out within the framework of the CORDIOPREV study (NCT00924937; June 19, 2009), a clinical trial which included 827 men and 175 women with CHD, with a non-CVD population of 375 individuals (270 men and 105 women) as a reference group. Plasma TMA and TMAO were measured by HPLC-MS/MS. The carotid study was ultrasonically assessed bilaterally by the quantification of intima-media thickness of both common carotid arteries (IMT-CC). Results: We found higher TMAO levels and TMAO/TMA ratio in CHD men than CHD women (p=0.034 and p=0.026, respectively). No TMA sex differences were found in CHD patients. The TMA and TMAO levels and TMAO/TMA ratio were lower, and no differences between sexes were found in the non-CVD population. TMAO levels in CHD patients were consistent with higher IMT-CC and more carotid plaques (p=0.032 and p=0.037, respectively) and lower cholesterol efflux in CHD men than CHD women (p<0.001). Conclusions Our results suggest that CHD men have augmented TMAO levels compared with CHD women, presumably as a consequence of higher rate of TMA to TMAO oxidation, which could be associated with CVD, as these sex differences are not observed in a non-CVD population.

BACKGROUND

Hypertension is a major contributor to cognitive decline, and dementia is an increasing public health concern in the Philippines. Despite evidence linking these conditions, the awareness of dementia risk remains limited. Broader modifiable factors—such as nutrition, physical activity, smoking, alcohol use and sleep—also influence dementia risk but are not consistently emphasized in health education for hypertensive adults.

OBJECTIVE

To comprehensively assess the dementia risk awareness of hypertensive Filipino adults residing in the Philippines.

METHODS

An adapted questionnaire will gather data on dementia risk awareness among hypertensive Filipino adults. Phase I involves distributing the questionnaire via Google Forms on social media and collecting informed consent, the Personal Data Sheet (PDS), Dementia Knowledge Assessment Scale (DKAS) responses and self-reported modifiable risk factors from the McCance Brain Care Score (BCS). Phase II consists of quantitative analysis using descriptive statistics, including sub-analyses assessing correlations between dementia risk awareness and secondary measures.

EXPECTED RESULTS

At least 384 responses from hypertensive Filipino adults are anticipated, allowing classification into dementia risk–aware or dementia risk–unaware groups using DKAS thresholds. Exploratory analyses will describe potential associations between dementia risk awareness and selected modifiable risk factors

Human ; Male ; Female ; Adolescent: 13-18 Yrs Old ; Young Adult: 19-24 Yrs Old ; Adult: 25-44 Yrs Old ; Middle Aged: 45-64 Yrs Old ; Adult ; Awareness ; Dementia ; Learning ; Philippines ; Risk

CONTEXT

Accurate diagnosis of onychomycosis is important since misdiagnosis can lead to inappropriate therapy, delayed diagnosis of other nail conditions, and antifungal resistance. Dermoscopy is an emerging diagnostic tool, particularly valuable in the resource-poor settings.

AIMS

The study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of dermoscopy as a point-of-care tool in diagnosing distal subungual onychomycosis (DSO) at a tertiary hospital.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN

An observational, prospective, and cross-sectional study was conducted among 22 clinically diagnosed DSO patients using convenience sampling at a tertiary hospital from November 2019 to September 2021.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Participants underwent gross nail examination, dermoscopy, potassium hydroxide (KOH), and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) examinations.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED

Sensitivity, specificity, predictive value, and likelihood ratios (LRs) of the dermoscopic patterns were obtained using KOH and PAS results as the reference standard.

RESULTS

Fifty-one nails were submitted but 2 were lost during the processing, leaving 49 nails for analysis. The most common pattern was jagged edge with spikes (65.3%). Individual patterns yielded only low-to-moderate sensitivity (32.4%–73.5%). However, combining all patterns increased sensitivity to 91.2% (95% confidence interval: 76.3–98.1). Ruin appearance showed the highest specificity (100%) and positive predictive value (100%). LRs were not significant enough to draw the conclusions.

CONCLUSIONS

Dermoscopy may serve as an on-site, adjunct tool in the diagnosis of DSO, especially when the combination of patterns is considered. Ruin appearance maybe particularly useful in ruling in DSO. However, confirmation using mycological and histopathological tests remains essential.

Human ; Dermoscopy ; Onychomycosis

Human ; Optic Nerve Diseases ; Optic Neuropathy, Ischemic ; Ophthalmologists

Low back pain is one of the most common reasons for consultation encountered in the primary care setting. The majority of cases are due to mechanical low back pain; however, proper evaluation is needed to identify patients who have secondary causes. This can be done through a focused history and physical examination using the Look-Move-Feel Approach as a guide. Identification of red flags suggests underlying pathology. The mnemonic BACK PAINS (Bladder/bowel incontinence, Age extremes, Chronic infection, Known Malignancy, Pain worse at night, Acute trauma, IV drug/Immunosuppression, Neurologic findings, and Systemic symptoms) can be used to remember red flags of low back pain. In general, patients with non-specific low back pain often require no imaging or work-up, while those with red flags warrant diagnostic investigation and possible referral.

Human ; Low Back Pain

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the determinants linked to stunting among infants and young children aged 0-23 months in the Fourth District of Camarines Sur.

METHODS

An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 628 primary caregivers with infants and young children aged 0-23 months in four municipalities of the Fourth District of Camarines Sur, Philippines, using a two stage stratified random sampling design. Data on sociodemographic and economic factors were collected through face-to-face interviews. Infant and young child feeding (IYCF) indicators were assessed using a list-based approach, while weight and length were evaluated using the World Health Organization Anthro Plus software. Descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression were done using R statistical software version 4.3.1.

RESULTS

The study revealed that the prevalence of stunting was of significant public health concern, reaching 42.8%. Holding other variables constant, age of the child (OR=0.77; 95% CI: 0.63-0.94), having college undergraduate mothers (OR=0.26; 95% CI: 0.05-1.28), and belonging to a poor income household (OR=0.40; 95% CI: 0.14-0.88) were associated with stunting among infants aged 0.01-6.00 months. Moreover, after controlling for the confounding effects of other variables, age (OR=1.09; 95% CI: 1.05-1.14) and sex of the child (OR=1.55; 95% CI: 1.05-2.28) were associated with stunting among older children aged 6.00-23.99 months.

CONCLUSION

This study emphasizes the challenge of stunting in the Fourth District of Camarines Sur. None of the IYCF indicators were associated with stunting; however, maternal education, the child’s age, sex, and socioeconomic status were identified as significant factors influencing stunting. Addressing these determinants through targeted interventions focusing on improving maternal education and enhancing socio-economic conditions were crucial to reducing stunting in the study areas.

Human ; Growth Disorders ; Risk Factors ; Nutritional Status ; Infant Nutrition Disorders

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a complex condition with diverse clinical presentations, ranging from typical heartburn and regurgitation symptoms to extraesophageal manifestations and alarm symptoms. Determining which patients should be tested first versus those who should receive empirical treatment remains a key clinical challenge. If not recently performed, initial patient testing, commonly involving upper endoscopy, is recommended for patients presenting with alarm or refractory symptoms and for those at high risk for Barrett’s esophagus. Additionally, testing should be prioritized for patients with underlying comorbidities, such as scleroderma, increased body mass index, or a suspected large hiatal hernia. Older patients with atypical symptom presentations and those with extraesophageal symptoms or signs, especially in the absence of typical GERD symptoms, should also be referred for endoscopy if recent endoscopic results are not available. In contrast, patients with typical GERD symptoms in the absence of alarm features and those with extraesophageal symptoms accompanied by typical GERD symptoms could begin empirical treatment with a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) or potassium competitive acid blocker (PCAB). For individuals without alarm symptoms who do not respond to once-daily PPI therapy, escalation to twice-daily PPI therapy or switching to a PCAB, without further testing, is appropriate. Overall, an individualized approach is recommended, with patient presentation guiding the decision to test or treat first.

Purpose: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is more prevalent in men than women, but the mechanisms responsible for this are not fully understood. We aimed to evaluate differences in trimethylamine (TMA), a microbial metabolite and its oxidized form, trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), which is thought to promote atherosclerosis, between men and women with coronary heart disease (CHD), using as a reference a non-CVD population. Materials and Methods: This study was carried out within the framework of the CORDIOPREV study (NCT00924937; June 19, 2009), a clinical trial which included 827 men and 175 women with CHD, with a non-CVD population of 375 individuals (270 men and 105 women) as a reference group. Plasma TMA and TMAO were measured by HPLC-MS/MS. The carotid study was ultrasonically assessed bilaterally by the quantification of intima-media thickness of both common carotid arteries (IMT-CC). Results: We found higher TMAO levels and TMAO/TMA ratio in CHD men than CHD women (p=0.034 and p=0.026, respectively). No TMA sex differences were found in CHD patients. The TMA and TMAO levels and TMAO/TMA ratio were lower, and no differences between sexes were found in the non-CVD population. TMAO levels in CHD patients were consistent with higher IMT-CC and more carotid plaques (p=0.032 and p=0.037, respectively) and lower cholesterol efflux in CHD men than CHD women (p<0.001). Conclusions Our results suggest that CHD men have augmented TMAO levels compared with CHD women, presumably as a consequence of higher rate of TMA to TMAO oxidation, which could be associated with CVD, as these sex differences are not observed in a non-CVD population.