Drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) is used for directly visualizing sites of obstruction among patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Owing to the scarcity of data, there is still no consensus on the anesthetic regimen for conducting pediatric DISE.

This paper presents a 5-year-old patient who underwent DISE using an opioid-sparing regimen with dexmedetomidine and propofol infusion.

Simultaneous dexmedetomidine and propofol infusion is a promising opioid-sparing regimen for pediatric DISE.

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic brought insurmountable changes, leading to work demands and resource limitations that placed additional physical and occupational stress.

This study aimed to determine the change in the occurrence and intensity of musculoskeletal discomfort among selected university faculty members. It also determined the association of sociodemographic and anthropometric factors, workplace conditions, and involvement in physical activity with musculoskeletal pain.

This is an analytical cross-sectional study conducted from June 2022 to May 2023 that surveyed university faculty members from Metro Manila and Metro Cebu. Outcome measures include sociodemographic data, anthropometric measures of weight, height, body mass index, workplace conditions, exercise participation, and musculoskeletal discomfort using the Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire.

Data from 120 participants, mostly female, with an average BMI of 27.78 ± 12.09 kg/m2 and 11.82 ± 10.39 years of teaching experience revealed increased computer usage and reduced teaching hours during the Pandemic lockdown. There was also prevalent musculoskeletal discomfort (MSD), particularly in the neck, shoulder, and upper back. Factors associated with increased MSD were female gender, longer computer use, and pre pandemic MSD history.

This study underscores the significance of addressing ergonomic factors and work conditions to mitigate MSD risks among educators during challenging situations.

INTRODUCTION

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are a leading global health concern. Modifiable behavioral risk factors are increasingly recognized in young adults, especially among medical students who often live independently. This study investigated the association between living alone and modifiable cardiovascular risk factors—sleep quality, sodium intake, physical activity, and body mass index (BMI)—among medical students at UERMMMCI during the 2022-2023 academic year.

Researchers conducted an analytical cross-sectional study among 220 medical students. Validated tools were used: Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Scored Sodium Questionnaire, International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), and BMI classification. Researchers performed statistical analyses using Chi-square tests and calculated relative risks (RR) with 95% confidence intervals.

A significant positive association was found between living alone and poor sleep quality (RR 2.132 p = 0.047). No significant associations were observed between living alone and sodium intake (RR 0.96 p = 0.6868), physical activity (RR 1.18 p = 0.2239), or BMI (RR 1.03 p = 0.7367).

Among the studied cardiovascular risk factors, only poor sleep quality was significantly more prevalent among students living alone. These findings highlight the importance of interventions targeting sleep hygiene in this demographic.

Objective:To determine the sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value of the STOP BANG questionnaire in diagnosing Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) in adults admitted for polysomnography at the Rizal Medical Center from January 2019 to June 2024

Methods:
Design:Review of Records
Setting:Tertiary Government Training Hospital
Participants:166 adult patients

Results:A total of 166 patient records were included with an average age of 35.6 ± 12 years, BMI of 29.3 ± 6.44 and 67% were male. The STOP-BANG questionnaire had a sensitivity of 77% to screen for all (AHI ≥ 5), mild (AHI = 5-14.9), moderate (AHI = 15-19.9), and severe OSA (AHI > 30), respectively. The specificity was 62% and the area under the curve was 0.717 for all, mild, moderate and severe OSA

Conclusion:A STOP-BANG score of 3/8 can predict the presence of OSA with a sensitivity of 77% and specificity of 62% with AUC of 0.717. The increase in score does not predict the severity. Further research can be done to identify other co-morbidities associated with OSA.

Humans ; Sleep Apnea, Central/therapy* ; Hypoventilation/congenital* ; Homeodomain Proteins

Objective: To determine the relationship between olfactory function threshold and quality of life (QOL) among adult Filipinos with perceived olfactory dysfunction (OD). Methods: Design:Cross - Sectional Study. Setting:Tertiary Government Training Hospital. Participants: 98 adults who had self-perceived olfactory dysfunction described as “poor” or “no sense” of smell Results: We analyzed data from 98 participants, with a mean age of 35.91 + 12.58 years old, composed of 46 men (47%) and 52 women (53%), with 82 normosmic, six hyposmic and ten anosmic as categorized by their BTT scores. Twenty-seven percent (27%) identified themselves as having poor QOL based on Fil 17 QODNS. Differences were exhibited between sexes’ BTT scores - [t(96) = -2.32; p = .022; females, M: 9.25; SD: 2.33 vs. males, M: 7.76; SD : 3.91], civil status - Fil17QODNS scores [t(96)= 3.05, p < .003; married M: 11.72, SD: 13.74 vs. single, M: 4.71; SD: 8.66), and the presence of ENT symptoms BTT [t(96) = -7.15; p < .0001; symptomatic, M: 5.62; SD: 4.54, vs. asymptomatic, M: 9.78; SD: 1.14] and Fil 17 QODNS scores [t(96)= 3.94; P < .00001; symptomatic, M: 14.86; SD: 13.97] vs. asymptomatic, M: 5.217; SD: 9.60]. Significant risk factors were the presence of ENT symptoms [OR= 0.15; 95% CI: 0.02-0.97; P = .046] for poor smell threshold, and comorbidities [OR= 3.36; 95% CI: 1.04-10.85; P = .043] for poor QOL. A negative correlation was observed between Fil-QOD-NS scores and BTT scores [r = -0.477, p < .001; rs = -0.292, p = .004], signifying that the presence of olfactory dysfunction has an inverse relationship with the quality of life. Conclusion Individuals with olfactory dysfunction in this study population had poor quality of life as determined by the translated Filipino 17-item QOD-NS which has an inverse relationship with their smell threshold as represented by the BTT results. Among the factors studied, significant differences were found between sexes, civil status and presence of ENT symptoms in the BTT and Fil 17 QODNS scores. However, only presence of comorbidities and ENT symptoms are significant risk factors for quality of life and smell threshold, respectively, in this population.
Smell ; Quality of Life

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Due to their academic load, medical students are highly susceptible to stress. Stress is one of the factors that can alter sleep quality which may consequently affect the cognitive performance of medical students. There has been a lack of published local literature that looks into the association between stress and sleep quality, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. With this, the general objective of this study is to determine the effect of stress on the sleep quality of medical students from the University of the Philippines Manila - College of Medicine (UPCM).

A cross-sectional study was conducted using a stratified random sample of 273 males and females of Learning Unit (LU) III (1st year) to VII (5th year) medical students from a college of medicine based in the Philippines, UPCM, during the second semester of the academic year 2021-2022. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to assess sleep quality using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and stress level using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10). Kruskal-Wallis was used to test statistical differences between stress scores and the sleep quality of students from different year levels. Spearman's Rho was used to determine the correlation between stress and sleep, and a binary logistic regression was employed to study the association of stress with sleep while accounting for confounding variables namely caffeine intake, year level, daytime nap, duty hours, clinical rotation, sex, and age.

A high prevalence of stress (79.71%) and poor sleep quality (59.73%) among LU III to LU VII UPCM students were found, with a statistically positive correlation (⍴=0.44) 95CI [0.33-0.55] (p-value < 0.001). Both the stress scores and sleep quality indices were not statistically significantly different across LUs. Gathered data and interpreted results showed that medical students suffering from stress are more likely to have poor sleep quality, which can lead to low academic performance and high susceptibility to chronic diseases, compared to those medical students with low levels of stress. Only being an LU IV [OR=1.38 95CI (0.036-4.625)] and LU V [OR=2.13 95CI (0.296-6.936)] student had increased odds of having poor sleep quality compared to LU III students. Caffeine intake, daytime nap, duty hours, clinical rotation, sex, and age were not associated with poor sleep quality.

This study documents a statistically significant association between stress and poor sleep quality among LU III to LU VII UPCM students. A larger study covering multiple medical schools in the Philippines may be of merit for future investigations to generate nationwide data. Additional recommendations include: a) conducting a cross-sectional or a longitudinal study to detect changes in the characteristics of the population, b) observing the differences in the contributing factors at multiple points throughout the year, c) investigating the effect of dwelling set-up on sleep quality may also be investigated and d) determining if sleep quality affects the level of perceived stress of medical students.

Objective: Our study aimed to identify and describe pulmonary complications and its associated risk factors in children with suspected or confirmed obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) who underwent tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy in a tertiary government hospital. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study. Medical charts of pediatric patients with suspected or confirmed OSA who were admitted for tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2020 were retrieved and reviewed. Information of the individual patients including the demographic data, clinical profile, polysomnography results, and presence of postoperative pulmonary complications were recorded. Descriptive statistics was utilized to present continuous data while frequency and percentage for categorical data. Fisher exact test was used to compare the demographic profile of patients with postoperative pulmonary complications from those without. Results: A total of 90 patient records were analyzed. The mean age of the patient population was 7.87 years, 55.6% were male, 17.8% of patients were classified as obese. Thirty-four children had preoperative polysomnography and of these, 47.1% were classified as severe. Only two (2.2%) patients had postoperative pulmonary complications, which were bronchospasm and desaturation, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences noted in comparing the clinicodemographic profile of patients with postoperative pulmonary complications from those without complications. Conclusion Our results showed that most pediatric patients with suspected or confirmed OSA who underwent adenotonsillectomy did not have pulmonary complications.
Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; Tonsillectomy

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly challenged global healthcare systems, particularly impacting the psychological health of nurses. This study examines the psychosocial impact and work-related stressors faced by Filipino nurses during the COVID-19 crisis.

Adescriptive cross-sectional survey was used to gather data from May 2021 to May 2022. Participants included registered nurses recruited from across the Philippines, focusing on their exposure to work related stressors, burnout, job satisfaction, and coping activities. The survey included validated items that measured work related variables (e.g., job responsibilities, workload) and personal stress management strategies. Descriptive statistics (means, standard deviations, frequencies, and percentages) were calculated to interpret the continuous and categorical variables.

A total of 2,229 nurses participated in the survey. Findings indicate that 78.9% of nurses experienced increased workloads, and 36% were assigned to units outside their expertise. Despite the high stress and burnout rates (30.4% reported symptoms), 56.4% of nurses intended to stay in their positions. The most common coping strategies were use of social media (53.7%) and connecting with friends and family (51.5%).

Filipino nurses displayed considerable resilience despite facing severe work-related stressors and psychological strains during the pandemic. The study highlights significant stressors such as increased workload, role shifts, and the lack of clear workplace goals, contributing to burnout and reduced job satisfaction. This study underscores the need for enhanced support systems and policies to safeguard nurses' well-being, recommending more robust mental health services, adequate staffing, and the provision of necessary resources and training to prepare nurses for future health crises better.

OBJECTIVE

Our study aimed to identify and describe pulmonary complications and its associated risk factors in children with suspected or confirmed obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) who underwent tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy in a tertiary government hospital.

We conducted a retrospective cohort study. Medical charts of pediatric patients with suspected or confirmed OSA who were admitted for tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2020 were retrieved and reviewed. Information of the individual patients including the demographic data, clinical profile, polysomnography results, and presence of postoperative pulmonary complications were recorded. Descriptive statistics was utilized to present continuous data while frequency and percentage for categorical data. Fisher exact test was used to compare the demographic profile of patients with postoperative pulmonary complications from those without.

A total of 90 patient records were analyzed. The mean age of the patient population was 7.87 years, 55.6% were male, 17.8% of patients were classified as obese. Thirty-four children had preoperative polysomnography and of these, 47.1% were classified as severe. Only two (2.2%) patients had postoperative pulmonary complications, which were bronchospasm and desaturation, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences noted in comparing the clinicodemographic profile of patients with postoperative pulmonary complications from those without complications.

Our results showed that most pediatric patients with suspected or confirmed OSA who underwent adenotonsillectomy did not have pulmonary complications.