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Dec 2025 DOI 10.14302/issn.2381-862X.jwrh-25-5447
J. Factoriza OliviaCorresponding author
Objective This study aimed to explore the respondents’ reproductive health profiles, examining the physiological and psychosocial perimenopausal symptoms affecting productivity, and identifying occupational needs. It also determined the relationship between menopausal symptoms and the productivity and occupational needs of peri-menopausal women. Methodology A descriptive cross-sectional design was used, surveying 50 women over 40 years old with a validated four-point Likert scale instrument. The instrument undergone content validation, reliability test, and ethical approval. Survey was administered personally and online using purposive sampling. Statistical treatments included weighted mean, F-test, T-test, Pearson r correlation, and ranking. Key results The majority of participants had their first menstruation between 11 to 15 years old and experienced regular menstrual cycles. Most had one child, with an equal number of cesarean and normal deliveries, and reported no pregnancy complications. The study found that participants seldom experienced physiological and psychosocial menopausal symptoms. They agreed on the occupational needs during the perimenopausal period. It was found that physiological symptoms were influenced by factors such as early menarche, cesarean delivery, and pregnancy complications. Additionally, psychosocial symptoms varied based on menstrual status, the number of children, and pregnancy complications, with those experiencing earlier menstruation or complications reporting more intense symptoms. The study revealed a significant relationship between both physiological and psychosocial perimenopausal symptoms, which negatively impacted productivity and increased occupational needs. Women with higher menopausal symptoms expressed a greater need for workplace policies that support perimenopausal women, highlighting the need for tailored workplace interventions for this demographic. Future Direction The study recommends including pap smears and mammograms in annual exams for peri-menopausal women, offering awareness seminars on managing perimenopausal symptoms to reduce workplace disruptions, and suggests future research exploring additional variables affecting perimenopausal women’s health and productivity
Apr 2020 DOI 10.14302/issn.2470-0436.jos-20-3273
Jeneena Amir AishathCorresponding author
Department of Ophthalmology, Rizal Medical Center, Pasig City, Philippines
Objective To identify common ocular and non-ocular signs and symptoms of patients with chiasmal lesions presenting to ophthalmologists. Methods This is a three year case series of patients who presented to Rizal Medical Center Ophthalmology OPD clinic, diagnosed as cases of chiasmal lesion with a complete neuro-ophthalmogical exam, ancillary test and neuroimaging. Data collected include patient profile, ocular and non ocular symptoms, duration of blurring of vision (BOV), best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), Color Vision, Optic nerve (ON) description, Visual field defects (VFD) and size & location of chiasmal lesion. Results A total of twelve patients were included with 1:1 M:F ratio and a median age of 39 years. Blurring of Vision was the presenting symptom in 10 cases, bulging of the eyes and headaches in the remaining cases. Associated symptoms include: non specific headache in all; diplopia in 3 (1 with and 2 without motility defects); and systemic symptoms related to hormonal imbalance in 2 cases. Best corrected vision ranged from 6/6 to no light perception (NLP). Color vision was affected in all cases. ON palor was seen in 6 (50%) and disc edema in 1 case. VFD include Junctional scotoma (58.33%), bitemporal hemianopia (33.3%) and generalised scotoma (8.3%). Neuroimaging revealed pituitary lesions in 10 cases, 1 craniopharyngioma and ON glioma with chiasmal extension. Conclusion Ocular and non ocular symptoms seen were comparable to other studies except that Junctional scotoma was the most common VFD identified in the included population of our case series. This highlights the importance of VF testing among patients complaining of unilateral visual loss to rule out a chiasmal lesion.
Oct 2022 DOI 10.14302/issn.2641-5518.jcci-22-4323
Y. Fernando GracieuxCorresponding author
Consultant, Section of Medical Oncology-Department of Internal Medicine, University of the Philippines-College of Medicine Philippine General Hospital, Manila
Introduction Primary sarcomas of the breast are <0.1% of all malignant tumours of the breast. To date, there are 13 major breast sarcoma series in English literature. This study adds to these series characterizing primary breast sarcoma among Philippine patients. Methods All breast biopsies from the pathology records of the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) were searched for breast sarcoma cases from January 2000 to December 2010. Metaplastic carcinomas and phyllodes tumors were excluded. Results There were 52 patients (45 female, 7 male) ranging in age 25-83 years (median 46 years). Majority had lump, ten cases with pain. No history of previous cancer was given. No history of prior radiation was found. Histopathological diagnoses were spindle cell sarcoma (n=13), fibrosarcoma (n=6), liposarcoma (n=6), MPNST (n=5), stromal sarcoma (n=5), angiosarcoma (n=4), MFH (n=4), leiomyosarcoma (n=3), rhabdomyosarcoma (n=3), chondrosarcoma (n=2), and synovial sarcoma (n=1). Tumors were with grade 1 (n=18), grade 2 (n=8), and grade 3 (n=10). Necrosis was noted in 6 cases. Simple mastectomy was done in 19 cases (37%), MRM in 31 cases (59%), while 2 far advanced had no surgery (3%). None had adjuvant radiotherapy or chemotherapy. The duration of follow-up for 45 patients ranged from 1 – 117 months, excluding those who were lost to follow-up. All 15 deaths were due to progressive disease. Recurrences were observed in 9 patients. The disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) was 73%and 75%, respectively. On multivariate analysis, DFS and OS were significantly correlated with size (HR=113.63; p=0.019 and HR=77.36; p=0.037), grade (HR=20.73 ; p=0.003andHR= 39.57; p= 0.004), and having a histology of angiosarcoma (HR=35.20 ; p=0.005and HR= 50.74; p=0.007), respectively. Conclusion Sarcoma remains an important clinical entity among primary breast cancers.
Mar 2022 DOI 10.14302/issn.2641-5518.jcci-22-4096
Iñaki L. Garcia JulianCorresponding author
Gastroenterology Fellow, De La Salle University Medical Center
Introduction Benign duodenocolic fistula (DCF), also known as a non-malignant fistula between the duodenum and colon, with or without cecum-involvement, is an unusual complication of different gastrointestinal (GI) diseases 12. Case This is a case of a 28-year-old Filipino female who presented with periumbilical pain for five months, with associated anorexia, fever, and weight loss. Biopsy showed chronic granulomatous inflammation with caseation necrosis and Langhan’s type giant cells consistent with tuberculous etiology (Figure 6 and Figure 7). Category I Anti-TB treatment for six months was started and the service planned to repeat both colonoscopy and CT-scan after the initial round of anti-TB treatment. Conclusion Benign duodenocolic fistula in the form of extrapulmonary TB is a rare GI finding that is triggered by inflammatory processes. Proper management in this case was to treat the underlying TB infection which is endemic in the Philippines.
Jul 2019 DOI 10.14302/issn.2379-7835.ijn-19-2774
D. Watts PaulCorresponding author
Maternal nutrition is at the core of any principle-centered projection of Sustainable Development Goals. Without the developmental health of newborns – there is no quality future. Specifically, there are situations all around the globe where Indigenous and Artisanal coastal people suffer from maternal malnutrition inadvertently limiting future potentials in many locations that will be most challenged by climate change. Results from research with Artisanal Fisherfolk in the Philippines and analysis of harvest by the Canadian Inuit people are discussed in terms of the ethics of setting national as well as global education and research priorities.
Aug 2018 DOI 10.14302/issn-2470-0436.jos-18-2222
B. Iguban EleonoreCorresponding author
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of the Philippines Manila, Philippines.
Objective: The aim of the present study is to determine the efficiency of third year ophthalmology residents from a tertiary hospital in performing preliminary retinal examination to identify eyes at risk retinopathy of prematurity on the basis of retinal fundus findings up to International Classification of Retinopathy of Prematurity (ICROP) Zone II. Methods: This is a single-center, cross-sectional, prospective comparative research conducted from June to October 2015 at a tertiary training hospital in the Philippines. All infants referred for retinopathy of prematurity screening within the study period where included. The presence of retinal vessel dilatation and tortuosity were identified by third year ophthalmology residents using indirect funduscopy. The residents’ fundus findings were then compared to that of a retina consultant who is proficient in the diagnosis and management of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). The Kappa index was used to rate inter-observer agreement. The correlation between ROP risk factors and the presence of abnormal retinal vessels were assessed using odd ratio computations. Fisher’s exact test was used to determine the correlation between retinopathy of prematurity and the presence of retinal dilatation and tortuosity. The McNemar’s test was also applied to determine significant differences in the retinal findings of the consultant and ophthalmology residents. Results: A total of 82 eyes of 41 premature infants were evaluated to determine if retinal findings observed by ophthalmology residents were comparable to that of a retina consultant. Odds ratios show that age of gestation, birth weight, and history of blood transfusion are significantly associated with the presence of retinopathy of prematurity. Retinal vessel tortuosity and dilatation are also more common among infants diagnosed with retinopathy of prematurity. There was no significant difference between the retinal vascular findings of the retina consultant and the third year ophthalmology resident in terms of identifying retinal vessel dilatation and tortuosity (P < 0.05). Conclusion: After sufficient and in-depth ophthalmology training, third year ophthalmologists, who will be general ophthalmologists in the future, can reliably identify eyes at risk for severe retinopathy of prematurity on the basis of retinal vascular dilatation and/or tortuosity.