Community Health Workers' Concept and Understanding of Diabetes: A Qualitative Study.

Objectives: Community health workers (CHWs) fill in the insufficiency of health professionals in low-income countries. The CHWs' roles include health education of their constituents whose health they likewise take care. This study aimed to describe the concept and understanding of diabetes among CHWs in the Philippines. Methods: Fifty female CHWs currently working in rural and urban areas participated in six focus group discussions with guidance from Kleinman's eight questions. With the written informed consent of the participants, discussions were recorded and transcribed by the Research Assistant. A multi-disciplinary team manually analyzed the data. Disagreements were discussed among them and the physicians provided clinical analyses and explanations on the results. Quotations of an important point of view were also presented. Pseudonyms were utilized to uphold anonymity. Results: CHWs were aged 32 to 72 years; older participants reside in rural areas. Majority were married, housekeepers, and high school graduates. Some CHWs and their family were suffering from diabetes or dyabetis, the disease of the rich according to them. Its causes were food and lifestyle, and believed to be hereditary. Complications lead to death. Amputation was feared the most. Diabetes is incurable. Persons with diabetes should take maintenance medicines, and seek physicians' and family's help. Together with the patient, the family must decide on its management. Balanced diet, healthy lifestyle, maintenance medicines, food supplements, and herbal plants were perceived treatments. The internist should lower blood sugar level as well as prolong life span. Proper diet and regular check-up prevent diabetes. Conclusions: CHWs' concept and understanding of diabetes reflect some of the biomedical causes, effects, treatment, and prevention of diabetes as well as its social determinants. The efficacy and safety of herbal plants in the treatment of diabetes, however, should be further studied. Training on diabetes care should be provided to address their fears of amputation, insulin injection, and complications.

Intravenous Tocilizumab versus Standard of Care in the Treatment of Severe and Critical COVID-19-related Pneumonia: A Single-center, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Phase 3 Trial.

Background: Severe and critical COVID-19 disease is characterized by hyperinflammation involving pro-inflammatory cytokines, particularly IL-6. Tocilizumab is a monoclonal antibody that blocks IL-6 receptors. Objectives: This study evaluated the efficacy of tocilizumab in Filipino patients with severe to critical COVID-19 disease. Methods: This phase 3 randomized double-blind trial, included patients hospitalized for severe or critical COVID-19 in a 1:1 ratio to receive either tocilizumab plus local standard of care or placebo plus standard of care. Patients were eligible for a repeat IV infusion within 24-48 hours if they deteriorated or did not improve. Treatment success or clinical improvement was defined as at least two categories of improvement from baseline in the WHO 7-point Ordinal Scale of patient status, in an intention-to-treat manner. Results: Forty-nine (49) patients were randomized in the tocilizumab arm and 49 in the placebo arm. There was no significant difference in age, comorbidities, COVID-19 severity, need for mechanical ventilation, presence of acute respiratory distress syndrome, or biomarker levels between groups. Use of adjunctive therapy was similar between groups, with corticosteroid used in 91.8% in tocilizumab group and 81.6% in the placebo group, while remdesivir was used in 98% of participants in both groups.There was no significant difference between groups in terms of treatment success in both the intention-to-treat analysis (relative risk=1.05, 95% CI: 0.85-1.30) and per-protocol analysis (relative risk=0.98, 95% CI: 0.80 to 1.21). There was no significant difference in time to improvement of at least two categories relative to baseline on the 7-point Ordinal Scale of clinical status. Conclusion: The use of tocilizumab on top of standard of care in the management of patients with severe to critical COVID-19 did not result in significant improvement as defined by the WHO 7-point Ordinal Scale of patient status, nor in significant improvement in incidence of mechanical ventilation, incidence of ICU admission, length of ICU stay, and mortality rate.

Utility of laboratory and immune biomarkers in predicting disease progression and mortality among patients with moderate to severe COVID-19 disease at a Philippine tertiary hospital.

Purpose: This study was performed to determine the clinical biomarkers and cytokines that may be associated with disease progression and in-hospital mortality in a cohort of hospitalized patients with RT-PCR confirmed moderate to severe COVID-19 infection from October 2020 to September 2021, during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic before the advent of vaccination. Patients and methods: Clinical profile was obtained from the medical records. Laboratory parameters (complete blood count [CBC], albumin, LDH, CRP, ferritin, D-dimer, and procalcitonin) and serum concentrations of cytokines (IL-1ß, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-18, IFN-γ, IP-10, TNF-α) were measured on Days 0-3, 4-10, 11-14 and beyond Day 14 from the onset of illness. Regression analysis was done to determine the association of the clinical laboratory biomarkers and cytokines with the primary outcomes of disease progression and mortality. ROC curves were generated to determine the predictive performance of the cytokines. Results: We included 400 hospitalized patients with COVID-19 infection, 69% had severe to critical COVID-19 on admission. Disease progression occurred in 139 (35%) patients, while 18% of the total cohort died (73 out of 400). High D-dimer >1 µg/mL (RR 3.5 95%CI 1.83-6.69), elevated LDH >359.5 U/L (RR 1.85 95%CI 1.05-3.25), lymphopenia (RR 1.91 95%CI 1.14-3.19), and hypoalbuminemia (RR 2.67, 95%CI 1.05-6.78) were significantly associated with disease progression. High D-dimer (RR 3.95, 95%CI 1.62-9.61) and high LDH (RR 5.43, 95%CI 2.39-12.37) were also significantly associated with increased risk of in-hospital mortality. Nonsurvivors had significantly higher IP-10 levels at 0 to 3, 4 to 10, and 11 to 14 days from illness onset (p<0.01), IL-6 levels at 0 to 3 days of illness (p=0.03) and IL-18 levels at days 11-14 of illness (p<0.001) compared to survivors. IP-10 had the best predictive performance for disease progression at days 0-3 (AUC 0.81, 95%CI: 0.68-0.95), followed by IL-6 at 11-14 days of illness (AUC 0.67, 95%CI: 0.61-0.73). IP-10 predicted mortality at 11-14 days of illness (AUC 0.77, 95%CI: 0.70-0.84), and IL-6 beyond 14 days of illness (AUC 0.75, 95%CI: 0.68-0.82). Conclusion: Elevated D-dimer, elevated LDH, lymphopenia and hypoalbuminemia are prognostic markers of disease progression. High IP-10 and IL-6 within the 14 days of illness herald disease progression. Additionally, elevated D-dimer and LDH, high IP-10, IL-6 and IL-18 were also associated with mortality. Timely utilization of these biomarkers can guide clinical monitoring and management decisions for COVID-19 patients in the Philippines.

Prevalence of atherosclerosis-related risk factors and diseases in the Philippines.

BACKGROUND: We conducted a survey in 2008 to measure the prevalence of lifestyle-related diseases and risk factors in Philippine adults. METHODS: Stratified multistage sampling was used to cover the entire Philippine population of adults aged 20 years or older. Using health questionnaires, anthropometric measurements, and blood examinations, the prevalences of atherosclerosis-related risk factors and diseases were determined. Survey results were compared with those obtained in 2003. RESULTS: Out of 7700 eligible subjects, 64% to 93.7% responded to different survey items. Age-adjusted hypertension prevalence was 24.6% at a single visit and 20.6% when corrected for true prevalence. The prevalence of diabetes was 3.9% on the basis of fasting blood glucose (FBG), 5.2% by FBG and history, and 6.0% when 2-hour post-load plasma glucose level was determined. The prevalence of dyslipidemia was 72.0% and the prevalence of smoking was 31%. The prevalence of obesity was 4.9% by body mass index (BMI), and 10.2% and 65.6% by waist-hip ratio (WHR) in men and women, respectively. The prevalences of coronary, cerebrovascular, and peripheral arterial diseases were 1.1%, 0.9%, and 1.0%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalences of risk factors for atherosclerosis were higher in 2008 than in 2003, although the increase in diabetes was not significant and smoking decreased. These findings indicate a need for active collaborative intervention by all government agencies and medical societies in the Philippines.

The rs1458038 variant near FGF5 is associated with poor response to calcium channel blockers among Filipinos.

ABSTRACT: Genetic variation is known to affect response to calcium channel blockers (CCBs) among different populations. This study aimed to determine the genetic variations associated with poor response to this class of antihypertensive drugs among Filipinos.One hundred eighty one hypertensive participants on CCBs therapy were included in an unmatched case-control study. Genomic deoxyribonucleic acid were extracted and genotyped for selected genetic variants. Regression analysis was used to determine the association of genetic and clinical variables with poor response to medication.The variant rs1458038 near fibroblast growth factor 5 gene showed significant association with poor blood pressure-lowering response based on additive effect (CT genotype: adjusted OR 3.41, P = .001; TT genotype: adjusted OR 6.72, P < .001).These findings suggest that blood pressure response to calcium channels blockers among Filipinos with hypertension is associated with gene variant rs1458038 near fibroblast growth factor 5 gene. Further studies are recommended to validate such relationship of the variant to the CCB response.

Cost-utility analysis of add-on dapagliflozin in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction in the Philippines.

AIM: We aim to determine the cost-effectiveness of dapagliflozin in addition to standard therapy versus standard therapy alone among patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) using the public healthcare provider's perspective in the Philippines. METHODS AND RESULTS: A thousand Filipino patients with HFrEF (with or without type 2 diabetes mellitus) were included in a simulation cohort using a lifetime Markov model. The model, which was developed based on the results of the Dapagliflozin and Prevention of Adverse Outcomes in Heart Failure trial, was composed of three health states. These were 'alive without an event' (chronic heart failure state), 'alive but was hospitalized for heart failure' (worsening heart failure), and 'dead' (death from any cause). Data regarding costs and utilities were obtained from previous studies and local data. These were used to estimate the incremental cost per quality-adjusted life-year (ICER). A 3% annual discount rate was used for both costs and effects. One-way (deterministic) and probabilistic sensitivity analyses as well as scenario analyses were performed. The ICER for the addition of dapagliflozin to standard therapy among HFrEF patients was PHP177 868 (US$3434) and PHP160 983 (US$3108), respectively, if the present price (PHP44.00) and possible negotiated unit cost of dapagliflozin 10 mg tablet (PHP40.00) were used. These were deemed cost-effective because they were both below the threshold ICER which was equivalent to the gross domestic product per capita of the Philippines in 2019, PHP180 500 (US$3485). Using the unit costs of dapagliflozin previously mentioned, the ICERs among HFrEF patients with diabetes were PHP132 582 (US$2560) and PHP120 249 (US$2321), respectively. Doing PSA involving Monte Carlo simulation of 10 000 iterations and plotting the resulting ICERs against the threshold ICER in the cost-effectiveness acceptability curves, these ICERs for HFrEF among diabetics were determined to be 72% and 76% cost-effective. CONCLUSION: Dapagliflozin added to standard therapy for HFrEF patients is likely to be cost-effective using the perspective of the Philippine public healthcare provider.

A systematic review and meta-analysis on the effectiveness of an invasive strategy compared to a conservative approach in patients > 65 years old with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Patients 65 years old and older largely represent (>50%) hospital-admitted patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Data are conflicting comparing efficacy of early routine invasive (within 48-72 hours of initial evaluation) versus conservative management of ACS in this population. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine the effectiveness of routine early invasive strategy compared to conservative treatment in reducing major adverse cardiovascular events in patients 65 years old and older with non-ST elevation (NSTE) ACS. DATA SOURCES: We conducted a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) through PubMed, Cochrane, and Google Scholar database. STUDY SELECTION: The studies included were RCTs that evaluated the effectiveness of invasive strategy compared to conservative treatment among patients ≥ 65 years old diagnosed with NSTEACS. Studies were included if they assessed any of the following outcomes of death, cardiovascular mortality, myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, recurrent angina, and need for revascularization. Six articles were subsequently included in the meta-analysis. DATA EXTRACTION: Three independent reviewers extracted the data of interest from the articles using a standardized data collection form that included study quality indicators. Disparity in assessment was adjudicated by another reviewer. DATA SYNTHESIS: All pooled analyses were initially done using Fixed Effects model. For pooled analyses with significant heterogeneity (I2≥ 50%), the Random Effects model was used. A total of 3,768 patients were included, 1,986 in the invasive strategy group, and 1,782 in the conservative treatment group. RESULTS: Meta-analysis showed less incidence of revascularization in the invasive (2%) over conservative treatment groups (8%), with overall risk ratio of 0.29 (95% CI 0.14 to 0.59). Across all pooled studies, no significant effect of invasive strategy on all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, stroke, and MI was observed. Only one study assessed the outcome of recurrent angina. CONCLUSION: There was a significantly lower rate of revascularization in the invasive strategy group compared to the conservative treatment group. In the reduction of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, MI, and stroke there was no significant effect of invasive strategy versus conservative treatment. This finding does not support the bias against early routine invasive intervention in patients ≥ 65 years old with NSTEACS. Further studies focusing on these patients with larger population sizes are still needed.

The Klotho Variant rs36217263 Is Associated With Poor Response to Cardioselective Beta-Blocker Therapy Among Filipinos.

A common drug used for hypertension among Filipinos is beta-blockers. Variable responses to beta-blockers are observed, and genetic predisposition is suggested. This study investigated the association of genetic variants with poor response to beta-blockers among Filipinos. A total of 76 Filipino adult hypertensive participants on beta-blockers were enrolled in an unmatched case-control study. Genotyping was done using DNA from blood samples. Candidate variants were correlated with clinical data using χ2 and logistic regression analysis. The deletion of at least one copy of allele A of rs36217263 near Klotho showed statistically significant association with poor response to beta-blockers (dominant; odds ratio (OR) = 3.89; P = 0.017), adjusted for diabetes and dyslipidemia. This association is observed among participants using cardioselective beta-blockers (crude OR = 5.60; P = 0.008) but not carvedilol (crude OR = 2.56; P = 0.67). The genetic variant rs36217263 is associated with poor response to cardioselective beta-blockers, which may become a potential marker to aid in the management of hypertension.

Metabolic syndrome in the Philippine general population: prevalence and risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus.

The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) and its component risk factors among Filipinos using three sets of criteria and to evaluate the association between MS and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus. The study utilised a multi-staged cluster sampling design. The prevalence of MS was found to be 11.9% by National Cholesterol Education Program/Adult Treatment Panel (NCEP/ATP III) criteria, 14.5% by International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria and 18.6% by NCEP/ATP III criteria modified by the American Heart Association/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NCEP/ATP III-AHA/NHLBI) criteria. Low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) occurred in 60.2% of men and 80.9% of women. Abdominal obesity was noted in 17.7% of men and 35.1% of women. Blood pressure (BP) > or = 130/85 mmHg was seen in 33.3%, hypertriglyceridaemia in 20.6% and fasting blood sugar > or = 100 mg/dL (5.55 mmol/L) in 7.1%. Age-adjusted odds ratios showed that MS, by all three definitions, predisposed an individual to diabetes mellitus (DM) and stroke while MS by the IDF definition predisposed an individual to myocardial infarction (MI). Individuals with MS did not have a significant predisposition to angina and peripheral artery disease (PAD). Thus, the metabolic syndrome is common in Filipinos, with low HDL-C as the most prevalent component. The metabolic syndrome predisposes to diabetes mellitus and stroke, with a tendency to MI using the IDF criteria.

Ivabradine Versus Beta-Blockers in Mitral Stenosis in Sinus Rhythm: An Updated Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

BACKGROUND: Symptoms of mitral stenosis (MS) are worsened during tachycardia and exercise. Beta-blockers are used in controlling heart rate (HR) in MS, resulting in symptom improvement, but coming with significant side effects. Ivabradine has a selective action on the sinus node devoid of the usual side effects of beta-blockers. Small studies have recently investigated the role of ivabradine in MS in sinus rhythm. Our aim was to determine the efficacy of ivabradine, compared to beta-blockers, in terms of exercise duration, maximum HR achieved, resting HR, mean gradient, and working capacity among patients with MS in sinus rhythm. METHODS: We conducted a systematic search of studies using MEDLINE, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Clinical Key, Cochrane, and clinicaltrials.gov databases in all languages and examined reference lists of studies. We included studies if they are: 1) randomized controlled trials comparing ivabradine and beta-blockers; 2) of adults ≥ 19 years old with MS in sinus rhythm; and 3) reported data on exercise duration, maximum HR achieved, resting HR, mean gradient, and working capacity. Studies identified were assessed for risk of bias using the Cochrane Collaboration Tool for Assessing Risk of Bias. We used inverse variance analysis of fixed effects to compute for mean difference, carried out using Review Manager (RevMan) 5.3. RESULTS: Pooled analysis from five identified trials showed that among patients with MS in sinus rhythm, ivabradine was better compared to beta-blockers in total exercise duration (mean difference: 32.73 s (95% CI: 12.19, 53.27; P = 0.002; I2 = 0%)), maximum HR achieved after exercise (mean difference: -3.87 beats per minute (95% CI: -5.88, -1.860; P = 0.0002; I2 = 23%)), and work capacity (mean difference: 0.56 METS (95% CI: 0.33, 0.80; P < 0.00001; I2 = 0%)); inferior to beta-blockers in resting HR achieved (mean difference: 1.83 s (95% CI: 0.39, 3.28; P = 0.01; I2 = 91%)); and comparable to beta-blockers in terms of mean gradient (mean difference: -0.52 mm Hg (95% CI: -1.20, 0.16; P = 0.13; I2 = 6%)). CONCLUSIONS: Ivabradine is better or comparable to beta-blockers in terms of the outcomes measured, and may be considered as an alternative for patients with MS in sinus rhythm who are intolerant to beta-blockers.

Red Cell Distribution Width and Mortality in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome: A Meta-Analysis on Prognosis.

BACKGROUND: Red cell distribution width (RDW), a routine component of the complete blood count (CBC), measures variation in the size of circulating erythrocytes. It has been associated with several clinical outcomes in cardiovascular disease. We sought to strengthen the association between RDW and mortality in patients admitted for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) by pooling together data from available studies. METHODS: Studies that fulfilled the following were identified for analysis: 1) observational; 2) included patients admitted for ACS; 3) reported data on all-cause or cardiovascular (CV) mortality in association with a low or high RDW; and 4) used logistic regression analysis to control for confounders. Using MEDLINE, Clinical Key, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases, a search for eligible studies was conducted until January 9, 2017. The quality of each study was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. Our primary outcome of interest was all-cause or CV mortality. We also investigated the impact of RDW on major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) for the studies that reported these outcomes. Review Manager (RevMan) 5.3 was utilized to perform Mantel-Haenzel analysis of random effects and compute for relative risk. RESULTS: We identified 13 trials involving 10,410 patients, showing that in ACS, a low RDW is associated with a statistically significant lower all-cause or CV mortality (RR 0.35, (95% CI 0.30 to 0.40), P < 0.00001, I2 = 53%), a finding that was consistent both in the short- and long-term. CONCLUSIONS: A low RDW is also associated with lower risk for MACEs after an ACS (RR 0.56, (95% CI 0.51 to 0.61), P < 0.00001, I2 = 91%). A low RDW during an ACS is associated with lower all-cause or CV mortality and lower risk of subsequent MACEs, providing us with a convenient and inexpensive risk stratification tool in ACS patients.

Economic burden of hospitalisation for congestive heart failure among adults in the Philippines.

OBJECTIVES: Hospitalisation for congestive heart failure (CHF) was reported to be 1648 cases for every 100 000 patient claims in 2014 in the Philippines; however, there are no data regarding its economic impact. This study determined CHF hospitalisation cost and its total economic burden. It compared the healthcare-related hospitalisation cost from the societal perspective with the payer's perspective, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth). METHODS: This is a cost analysis study. Data were obtained from representative government/private hospitals and a drugstore in all regions of the country. Healthcare costs included cost of diagnostics/treatment, professional fees and other CHF-related hospital charges, while non-healthcare costs included production losses, transportation and food expenses. RESULTS: The overall mean healthcare-related cost for CHF hospitalisation (class III) in government hospitals in the Philippines in 2014 was PHP19 340-PHP28 220 (US$436-US$636). In private hospitals, it was PHP28 370-PHP41 800 (US$639-US$941). In comparison, PhilHealth's coverage/CHF case rate payment is PHP15 700 (US$354). The mean non-healthcare cost was PHP10 700-PHP14 600 (US$241-US$329). Using PhilHealth's case rate payment and the prevalence of CHF hospitalisation in 2014, the total economic burden was PHP691 522 200 (US$15 574 824). Using the study results on healthcare-related cost meant that the total economic burden for CHF hospitalisation would instead be PHP851 850 000-PHP1 841 563 000 (US$19 185 811-US$41 476 644). CONCLUSIONS: The calculated healthcare-related hospitalisation cost for CHF in the Philippines in 2014 demonstrates the disparity between the actual cost and PhilHealth's coverage. This implies a need for policymakers to review its coverage to make healthcare delivery affordable.

Human cholestryl ester transfer protein (TaqIB) polymorphism among Filipinos with cardiovascular risk factors.

BACKGROUND: HDL-C has emerged as an important independent predictor of cardiovascular disease. The FNRI-HDL and NNHes Study Group in the Philippines reported that there was a high prevalence of low HDL among Filipinos. Most cases of low HDL-C are associated with secondary causes like Metabolic Syndrome. A primary cause of reduced HDL-C such as increase Cholesteryl Ester Transfer Protein activity has been identified. OBJECTIVES: 1. To determine the phenotype and frequency of Cholesteryl Ester Transfer Protein (TaqIB) polymorphism among Filipinos with cardiovascular risk factors. 2. To determine the association of TaqIB polymorphism with HDL-C levels among Filipinos with cardiovascular risk factors. DESIGN: Cross-sectional Study. SETTING: University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Descriptive statistics, Chi square test and Fisher's correlation test using Stata version 6. METHODS: Fifty patients were included in this pilot study and were examined with respect to genotype, lipid profiles, blood sugar and other cardiovascular risk factors. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) and Agarose Gel Electrophoresis techniques were used to determine the CETP TaqIB Polymorphism. RESULTS: Out of 50 patients, 66% were females and 34% were males with a mean age of 55 y/o and a BMI of 27 kg/m(2). The following risk factors were identified: hypertension (92%), dyslipidemia (88%), obesity (68%), smoking (50%), diabetes mellitus type 2 (18%) and family history of premature CAD (14%). The genotype frequencies of B1B1; B1B2; B2B2 were 40%; 50% 10% respectively. The B1B1 homozygote was associated with lower HDL-C levels (45.35 +/- 8.82 mg/dL) compared to B1B2 (48.96 +/- 10.10 mg/dL) and B2B2 (48.99 +/- 10.13 mg/dL)). CONCLUSIONS: Cholesteryl Ester Transfer Protein (TaqIB) Polymorphisms exist among Filipinos with cardiovascular risk factors. The frequency of TaqIB polymorphism among Filipinos with cardiovascular risk factors were B1B1 (40%), B1B2 (50%) and B2B2 (10%). B1B1 polymorphism is more common than B2B2 and associated with low HDL-C.

Epidemiologic burden of hospitalisation for congestive heart failure among adults aged ≥19†years in the Philippines.

OBJECTIVES: The study determined the prevalence of hospitalisation due to congestive heart failure (CHF) among adult patients aged 19 years and above in the Philippines and its 17 regions in 2014. It also determined the demographic profile of these patients, aetiology and type of CHF, comorbidities, duration of hospitalisation and the overall in-hospital mortality rate. METHODS: Data collection was done using the hospitalisation claims database of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth). All patient claims for CHF, that is, patients who were admitted from 1 January to 31 December 2014, were included. Descriptive statistics were utilised to obtain the results. RESULTS: The prevalence rate was 1.6% or 1648 cases of CHF for every 100 000 patient claims for medical conditions in 2014. The mean age was 52.6±15.1 years. There was no sex predilection. Only 22.67% of the hospitalisation claims for CHF listed possible specific aetiologies, the most common of which was hypertensive heart disease (86.7%). There were more cases of systolic compared to diastolic heart failure. The mean length of hospital stay was 5.9 days (+8.2) days (median 4 days), with an overall in-hospital mortality rate of 8.2%. CONCLUSIONS: There were 16 cases of heart failure for every 1000 Filipino patients admitted due to a medical condition in 2014. Hypertension was possibly the most common aetiologic factor. Compared to western and Asia-Pacific countries, the local mortality rate was relatively higher.

Prediction of Symptomatic Embolism in Filipinos With Infective Endocarditis Using the Embolic Risk French Calculator.

BACKGROUND: Cardioembolic events are life-threatening complications of infective endocarditis (IE). The embolic risk French calculator estimates the embolic risk in IE computed on admission. Variables in this tool include age, diabetes, atrial fibrillation, prior embolism, vegetation length, and Staphylococcus aureus on culture. A computed risk of > 7% was considered high in the development of this tool. Knowledge of this risk applied in our local setting is important to guide clinicians in preventing such catastrophic complications. Among patients with IE, we aim to determine the efficacy of the embolic risk French calculator, using a computed score of > 7%, in predicting major embolic events. METHODS: All adults admitted from 2013 to 2016 with definite IE were included. The risk for embolic events was computed on admission. All were monitored for the duration of admission for the occurrence of the primary outcome (any major embolic event: arterial emboli, intracranial hemorrhage, pulmonary infarcts, or aneurysms). Secondary outcomes were: 1) composite of death and embolic events; and 2) death from any cause. RESULTS: Eighty-seven adults with definite IE were included. Majority had a valvular heart disease and preserved ejection fraction (EF). The mitral valve was most commonly involved. Embolic events occurred in 25 (29%). Multivariate analysis identified a high embolic score > 7% (relative risk (RR): 15.12, P < 0.001), vegetation area ≥ 18 mm2 (RR: 6.39, P < 0.01), and a prior embolism (RR: 5.18, P = 0.018) to be independent predictors of embolic events. For the composite of embolic events and death, independent predictors include a high score of > 7% (RR: 13.56, P < 0.001) and a prior embolus (RR: 13.75, P = 0.002). Independent predictors of death were a high score > 7% (RR: 6.20, P = 0.003) and EF ≤ 45% (RR: 9.91, P = 0.004). CONCLUSION: Cardioembolic events are more prevalent in our study compared to previous data. The embolic risk French calculator is a useful tool to estimate and predict risk for embolic events and in-hospital mortality. The risk of developing embolic events should be weighed against the risks of early preventive cardiac surgery, as to institute timely and appropriate management.

Chronic Heart Failure Clinical Practice Guidelines' Class 1-A Pharmacologic Recommendations: Start-to-End Synergistic Drug Therapy?

BACKGROUND: Chronic heart failure (HF) disease as an emerging epidemic has a high economic-psycho-social burden, hospitalization, readmission, morbidity and mortality rates despite many clinical practice guidelines' evidenced-based and consensus driven recommendations that include trials' initial-baseline data. OBJECTIVE: To show that the survival and hospitalization-free event rates in the reviewed chronic HF clinical practice guidelines' class I-A recommendations as initial HF drug therapy (IDT) is possibly a combination and 'start-to-end' synergistic effect of the add-on ('end') HF drug therapy (ADT) to the baseline ('start') HF drug therapy (BDT). METHODOLOGY: The references cited in the chronic HF clinical practice guidelines of the 2005, 2009, and 2013 American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology (AHA/ACC), the 2006 Heart Failure Society of America (HFSA), and the 2005, 2008, and 2012 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) were reviewed and compared with the respective guidelines' and other countries' recommendations. RESULTS: The BDT using glycosides and diuretics is 79%-100% in the cited HF trials. The survival rates attributed to the BDT ('start') is 46%-89% and IDT ('end') 61%-92.8%, respectively. The hospitalization-free event rate of the BDT group: 47.1% to 85.3% and IDT group 61.8%-90%, respectively. Thus, the survival and hospitalization-free event rates of the ADT is 0.4%-15% and 4.6% to 14.7%, respectively. The extrapolated BDT survival is 8%-51% based on a 38% estimated natural HF survival rate for the time period109. CONCLUSION: The contribution of baseline HF drug therapy (BDT) is relevant in terms of survival and hospitalization-free event rates compared to the HF class 1-A guidelines initial drug therapy recommendations (IDT). Further, the proposed initial HF drug ('end') therapy (IDT) has possible synergistic effects with the baseline HF drug ('start') therapy (BDT) and is essentially the add on HF drug therapy (ADT) in our analysis. The polypharmacy HF treatment is a synergistic effect due to BDT and ADT.

Low density lipoprotein--receptor (LDL-R) gene mutations among Filipinos with familial hypercholesterolemia.

BACKGROUND: Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an autosomal dominant disease resulting from mutations of the LDL (LDLR) receptor gene leading to a diminished catabolism and elevated level of LDL cholesterol (LDL-C). It is associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). The MEDPED (Make Early Diagnosis-Prevent Early Death) program, an initiative cited by the WHO Human Genetics Programme in their report on FH, initiated international collaboration to identify and follow-up patients with FH globally. From Asia-Pacific, only 6 countries are participating and no data among Filipinos particularly on genetic profiles is available at present. This study attempts to initiate data collection and participation in the global initiative. OBJECTIVES: Primary: 1. To describe the phenotype of Filipino patients with FH. 2. To determine and characterize the LDL-R gene mutations among Filipino patients with clinical features of FH. Secondary: To determine the association of the clinical characteristics of FH with the presence of LDLR gene mutations. DESIGN: Cross- Sectional Study. SETTING: Multicenter, Outpatient Clinic. PARTICIPANTS: 60 unrelated patients, 18 y/o and above from UP-PGH, Manila Doctors Hospital and Cardinal Santos Medical Center. FH was diagnosed according to the Dutch Lipid Clinic Network Criteria cited by WHO which is based on a history of premature CVD, family history, tendon xanthoma, arcus cornealis, and LDL C levels. METHODS: With informed consent, clinical history, physical examination and lipid profile data were determined. Blood samples were extracted, processed to isolate DNA specimens at the National Institutes of Health, Institute of Human Genetics, and sent to Canterbury Health Laboratories at Christchurch, New Zealand for DNA analysis. ANALYSIS: Descriptive statistics, Fisher's exact test and Student's t-test using Stata version 6.0 software. RESULTS: Sixty patients with a mean age of 55 y/o were included, including 39 (65%) females. The mean LDL level was 227 mg/dl. Cardiovascular Disease and a family history of dyslipidemia were present in 55 & 60% of the samples, respectively. Twenty percent had documented LDL-R gene mutations. Six of the mutations were considered novel. A family history of dyslipidemia, an elevated LDL-C level, and a high FH score exhibited a statistically significant association with mutations. The study population has a high prevalence of CVD at an average age of 55 years with a strong family history of dyslipidemia and very high average LDL-C levels. One out of every 5 patients had LDL-R gene mutations, 6 of which were considered novel. LDL-R gene mutation was significantly associated with family history of dyslipidemia, LDL-C Level and FH score. CLINICAL AND RESEARCH IMPLICATION: This is the first international collaborative genetic study among Filipinos with FH. Data could allow the country to participate in the WHO/MEDPED global program. Collaborative efforts will lead to more effective detection, treatment and prevention of CV events. Novel mutations were discovered and further analysis of these genes will be done.

Economic Burden of Community-Acquired Pneumonia among Adults in the Philippines: Its Equity and Policy Implications in the Case Rate Payments of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation.

OBJECTIVES: To determine 1) the cost of hospitalization, the 1-week postdischarge cost, the total cost, and the economic burden of community-acquired pneumonia among patients aged 19 years or older in the Philippines and 2) the difference between the estimated costs and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) pneumonia case rate payments. METHODS: The study involved two tertiary private hospitals in the Philippines. Using the societal perspective, both health care and non-health care costs were determined. A base-case analysis and sensitivity analyses were performed, and the economic burden of pneumonia was determined using PhilHealth claims. RESULTS: The estimated cost of hospitalization for community-acquired pneumonia-moderate risk (CAP-MR) ranged from Philippine peso (PHP) 36,153 to 113,633 (US $852-2678) and its 1-week postdischarge cost ranged from PHP1450 to 8800 (US $34-207). The cost of hospitalization for community-acquired pneumonia-high risk (CAP-HR) ranged from PHP104,544 to 249,695 (US $2464-5885) and PHP101,248 to 243, 495 (US $2386-5739) using invasive and noninvasive ventilation, respectively. The postdischarge cost for CAP-HR ranged from PHP1716 to 10,529 (US $40-248). If only health care cost was considered, the cost ranged from PHP24,403 to 89,433 for CAP-MR and PHP92,848 to 213,395 for CAP-HR. The present PhilHealth case rate payments are PHP15,000 (US $354) and PHP32,000 (US $754) for CAP-MR and CAP-HR, respectively. Based on the number of PhilHealth claims for 2012 and the estimated health care cost, the economic burden of pneumonia in 2012 was PHP8.48 billion for CAP-MR and PHP643.76 million for CAP-HR. CONCLUSIONS: The estimated health care cost of hospitalization is markedly higher than the PhilHealth case rate payments. As per the study results, the economic burden of pneumonia is, thus, significantly higher than PhilHealth estimates.