Survey of vitamin D levels among post-menopausal Filipino women with osteoporosis.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of vitamin D inadequacy in a group of Filipino post-menopausal women with osteoporosis.

Methods: Seventy otherwise healthy post-menopausal Filipino women seen at the University of Santo Tomas Hospital, Section of Rheumatology, were diagnosed with osteoporosis by central dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) technique. Levels of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Impact of bone marker feedback on adherence to once monthly ibandronate for osteoporosis among Asian postmenopausal women.

Aim: This study assesses the impact of serum carboxy-terminal collagen crosslinks (CTX) bone marker feedback (BMF) on adherence to ibandronate treatment in Asian postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.

Methods: This was a 12-month (6-monthly phased), randomized, prospective, open-label, multi-center study conducted in 596 (of 628 enrolled) postmenopausal women with osteoporosis (< or = 85 years old) who were naïve, lapsed, or current bisphosphonate users. Patients were randomized into two arms: serum CTX BMF at 3 months versus no-BMF.

Validation of OSTA among Filipinos.

Osteoporosis is the most common metabolic bone disease in humans. It is a special concern not only among postmenopausal women, but men as well. In developing countries where there are meager resources, it will definitely be helpful to search for ways to identify patients with low bone mineral density who have a high risk of future fractures.

The Philippine Male Aging Survey.

The aging male is fast becoming a global concern. The problem is predicted to become a major health issue that should be addressed immediately in order to prevent disability, morbidity, and, more importantly, mortality. As part of its commitment to increase awareness and create interest in the care of Filipino aging males, The Philippine Society for the Study of the Aging Male Foundation, Inc.

Clinical management of osteoporosis in the Philippines.

Osteoporosis is considered a major health and economic problem. Exact figures in the Philippines may not be available at this time but there are clinical informations that will tell that osteoporosis is also a major concern in the country. Lack of knowledge about the existence of the disease is a major obstacle that is slowly being addressed.

A simple tool to identify asian women at increased risk of osteoporosis.

Patients with low bone mineral density (BMD) have a high risk of future fractures, and should be actively considered for treatment to reduce their risk. However, BMD measurements are not widely available in some communities, because of cost and lack of equipment. Simple questionnaires have been designed to help target high-risk women for BMD measurements, thereby avoiding the cost of measuring women at low risk.

Risk factors for hip fracture in Asian men and women: the Asian osteoporosis study.

The objectives of the Asian Osteoporosis Study (AOS) were to determine risk factors for hip fracture in men and women in four Asian countries, that is, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines. A total of 451 men and 725 women (aged 50 years and over) with hip fractures were compared with an equal number of community controls. A standardized questionnaire was administered by interview.

Popliteal arterial hemorrhage in a chronic renal failure patient with destructive arthropathy.

Popliteal arterial hemorrhage is a rare but potentially devastating complication of markedly deformed joints. This report describes a 57-year-old Filipino man with chronic renal failure and destructive arthropathy caused by crystal deposition and /or a neuropathic joint, who presented with the complication of acute popliteal arterial hemorrhage. The case illustrates a rare combination of articular diseases underlying a completely altered joint structure and biomechanics, resulting in an acute popliteal arterial tear and hemorrhage.

Successful use of diltiazem in calcinosis caused by connective tissue disease.

The mechanism for calcinosis in connective tissue disease remains unclear. Various therapies such as warfarin, colchicine, steroids, and bisphosphonates have been tried. However, despite some benefit in early cases, improvement generally is not seen in advanced cases of calcinosis.

NSAID-induced gastrointestinal damage. Epidemiology, risk and prevention, with an evaluation of the role of misoprostol. An Asia-Pacific perspective and consensus.

The problem of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-induced gastrointestinal toxicity was reviewed by members of the Asia Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology (APLAR) in a consensus conference in September 1992. This paper by the participants presents the consensus conclusions incorporating knowledge from recent publications. There had been a high level of concern that much of the toxicity had resulted from extensive and indiscriminate prescribing of NSAIDs.

Tuberculosis among Filipino patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

A retrospective review of the clinical records of 54 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and documented tuberculosis (TB) infection seen at the University of Santo Tomas Hospital was accomplished. There were 53 women and one man, with a mean age of 32.2 +/- 10 years and a total of 57 TB occurrences.

The Filipino and gout.

Hyperuricemia and gout has been recognized among the Filipinos in Hawaii, Alaska, and mainland United States for almost two decades. Several studies bearing out this impression have been reviewed. The awareness of these observation prompted an extension to the Filipino in his natural environment.