Function-based rehabilitation model: An initial step towards universal health coverage

Objective@#As part of the thrust towards Universal Health Care, the Philippines has enhanced health insurance coverage for rehabilitation with recent introductions of benefits for disabilities in children, prostheses, and orthoses. The project aimed to develop a functionality-based framework to guide comprehensive benefits for rehabilitation services for adult Filipinos. @*Methods@#Scoping review was conducted to identify common rehabilitation conditions, frameworks for clinical assessment, and essential services for rehabilitation. Key informant interviews and focus group discussions were conducted with targeted rehabilitation service providers and experts to validate the information collected. A unified pathway of care and essential services for the provision of rehabilitation medicine services was developed through triangulation. The study was conducted from October 2018 to September 2019, with activities done in Metro Manila. @*Results@#The results summarized treatment pathways for four major disease categories: neurologic, musculoskeletal, chronic pain, and activities of daily living/ cardiopulmonary. Impairments were identified reflecting the principles from the International Classification of Function. Disabilities were categorized based on function: mobility, self-care, cognitive-behavioral, and communication. A unified care pathway was developed to harmonize rehabilitation assessment, management, and care. A framework to simplify financial coverage was likewise provided. The extent of management (e.g., duration of therapy) depends on the severity of the disability classified as mild, moderate, or severe. Based on this classification, essential management modalities included physiatry interventions, medications, and rehabilitation sessions, supported by outcomes evaluation.@*Conclusion@#A framework is proposed to guide the design and implementation of benefits and health insurance coverage. Awareness and application of this approach among rehabilitation practitioners and health facilities are essential steps for successful uptake and implementation of the upcoming expansion in PhilHealth coverage.

Larvicidal Activity of Some Plants Extracts and Their Partitioned Fractions against Culex quinquefasciatus

Aim:The methanol extracts of fifteen plants and their partitioned fractions were screened for larvicidal activity against the fourth instar of larvae Culex quinquefasciatus, the vector of lymphatic filariasiswith a view to identifying the active ones.Methodology:The plant parts were collected,separatelydried and milled. Each powdered material was extracted in methanol at room temperature for 3 days, with agitation. The extract was filtered and concentrated in vacuo. Each extract was tested against the fourth instar larvae of Cx. quinquefasciatus. The methanol extracts were suspended in water and successively partitioned into n-hexane and ethylacetate. Each partitioned fraction was also tested against the fourth instarlarvae of Cx. quinquefasciatus.Results:About fifty six percent (56.3%) of the tested extracts had moderate larvicidal activity after 48 hours. The fruitextract of Thevetia neriifoliaand the leaf extracts of Calotropis procera andOriginal Research Article Solanum macrocarpon were the most active. After partitioning the methanol extracts, each of the plant extracts had one or two highly active partitioned fractions after 48 hours. The n-hexane fractions of S. macrocarpon(0.78 ± 0.03 mg/mL) and Spondias mombin(0.81 ± 0.03 mg/mL) were the most active.Conclusion:The non-polar fractions of S. macrocarponand S. mombinwere the most active. Purification of these highly active fractions could lead to the isolation of potent larvicidal compounds that could be used in the control of Cx. quinquefasciatus mosquito

Psychosocial stress and changes in estimated glomerular filtration rate among adults with diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND: Psychosocial stress has been hypothesized to impact renal changes, but this hypothesis has not been adequately tested. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between psychosocial stress and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and to examine other predictors of eGFR changes among persons with diabetes mellitus (DM). METHODS: Data from a survey conducted in 2005 by a major health maintenance organization located in the southeastern part of the United States, linked to patients' clinical and pharmacy records (n=575) from 2005 to 2008, was used. Study participants were working adults aged 25-59 years, diagnosed with DM but without advanced microvascular or macrovascular complications. eGFR was estimated using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation. A latent psychosocial stress variable was created from five psychosocial stress subscales. Using a growth factor model in a structural equation framework, we estimated the association between psychosocial stress and eGFR while controlling for important covariates. RESULTS: The psychosocial stress variable was not directly associated with eGFR in the final model. Factors found to be associated with changes in eGFR were age, race, insulin use, and mean arterial pressure. CONCLUSION: Among fairly healthy DM patients, we did not find any evidence of a direct association between psychosocial stress and eGFR changes after controlling for important covariates. Predictors of eGFR change in our population included age, race, insulin use, and mean arterial pressure.

Diabetic mononeuropathy involving the sciatic nerve

Sciatic neuropathy is caused by a wide spectrum of etiologies including trauma, compression, metabolic, infectious, and inflammatory conditions. Diabetic mononeuropathy remains one of the more elusive disease manifestations due to lack of large-scale prevalence studies and varied classification schemes. In this study, we present the case of a 48-year-old female diagnosed with diabetic mononeuropathy involving the sciatic nerve. Electromyography and nerve condition studies showed left sciatic neuropathy, and magnetic resonance imaging of the pelvis revealed an elarged left sciatic nerve. The patient was managed by controlling the blood glucose level and by therapeutic exercise. This case aims to achieve a better understanding of mononeuropathies occuring in diabetes.

Partnered care in the Bahamas: A model of advanced healthcare delivery for developing countries / Cuidados mediante asociación en las bahamas: un modelo avanzado de prestación de servicios de salud Para los países en vías de desarrollo

OBJECTIVE: To assess the delivery of advanced specialized medical care using The Partnered Care Model as a means of providing affordable access to all, irrespective of ability to pay. DESIGN AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of all persons presenting to a specialized, private, cardiac unit, The Bahamas Interventional Cardiology Center (BICC), over an 8.5-year period from March 1996 to September 2004 was conducted. The Bahamas Heart Center's Discounted Service System had been applied since inception to all patients in three groups including insured patients billed at 100of the fee schedule of The Medical Association of the Bahamas for the procedures performed, private self-pay and government patients billed at 75and 50respectively. Their respective distribution and contributions to total revenue was analyzed. A series of financial models were constructed taking into consideration variables that could influence the percentages of revenues collected from each sector and the number of individuals served RESULTS: One thousand five-hundred and forty-two patients received services in BICC over the 8.5 year period (56males and 44females age range: 0.25 - 96 years, with mean age of 55.7 years). One thousand eight-hundred and eighty-eight patient-procedures were performed, with 51insured generating 69total revenue, 18Private producing 16Revenue, and 31Government patients generating 15. Financial models were created to predict revenue behaviour in various scenarios. CONCLUSION: Partnered Care is a viable alternative for Governments (Ministries of Health) of developing countries to provide costly specialized healthcare to their populations at minimal expense and capital outlay. Partnered Care reduces the otherwise overwhelming burden of healthcare cost to governments, particularly in developing countries, by sharing the burden of care between the private, user and government sectors.

OBJETIVO: Evaluar la prestación de servicios médicos especializados avanzados, usando el modelo de cuidados mediante asociación, como medio de proporcionar acceso económico a todos, con independencia de su capacidad de pago. DISEÑO Y MÉTODOS: Se llevó a cabo un análisis retrospectivo de todas las personas que acudieron a una unidad privada de cardiología – The Bahamas Interventional Cardiology Center (BICC) – por un periodo del 8.5 años, a saber, de marzo de 1996 a septiembre de 2004. El sistema de servicio de descuentos del Centro Cardiológico de Bahamas, había sido aplicado desde el principio a todos los pacientes en tres grupos. Los mismos comprendían: los pacientes con seguro – quienes pagaban el 100% de la suma estipulada por la Asociación Médica de Bahamas para los procedimientos realizados, los pacientes privados auto-financiados, y los pacientes con asistencia gubernamental, que abonaban 75% y 50% respectivamente. Se analizó su distribución respectiva y sus contribuciones al ingreso total. Se construyó una serie de modelos financieros tomando en consideración las variables que podrían influir en los porcentajes de ingresos percibidos por cada sector así como el número de individuos atendidos. RESULTADOS: Mil quinientos cuarenta y dos pacientes recibieron servicios en el BICC por espacio de 8.5 años (56% hombres y 44% mujeres). El rango de edad: 0.25–96 años, con una edad media de 55.7 años). Se realizaron mil ochocientos ochenta y ocho procedimientos por los cuales el 51% constituido por los asegurados generó un ingreso total del 69%; el 18% formado por los privados produjo un ingreso del 17%; y el 31% representado por los pacientes gubernamentales generó una entrada del 15%. Se crearon modelos financieros a fin de predecir el comportamiento de los ingresos en diversos escenarios. CONCLUSIÓN: El cuidado mediante asociación es una alternativa viable, mediante la cual los gobiernos (los ministerios de salud) de los países en vías de desarrollo pueden brindar a sus respectivas poblaciones, servicios de salud especializados – que de otra forma serían costosos – con costos y desembolso de capital mínimos. Los cuidados mediante asociación reducen la carga del costo de la atención a la salud para los gobiernos – carga que de otra forma resultaría realmente abrumadora, especialmente en los países en vías de desarrollo. Esto se logra mediante el procedimiento de compartir la carga de los cuidados médicos entre los tres sectores referidos – el de los usuarios, el privado, y el gubernamental.

Coronary artery ectasia: angiographic, clinical profile and follow-up.

Out of 3200 coronary angiograms we reviewed, there were 144 cases of coronary ectasia--an incidence of 4.5 percent. Among these, 122 were associated with atherosclerotic coronary artery disease, i.e. coronary stenosis more than 50 percent (group A) and 22 not associated with coronary artery disease (group B). The patients in groups A and B were compared with age- and sex-matched patients (group C) (n=100) who had coronary artery disease alone without ectasia. The incidence of ectasia was not increased in patients with thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm i.e. 2/154 (1.8%) or in patients with peripheral occlusive vascular disease i.e. 5/161 (3.1%). Ectasia was typed according to a modified version of the criteria proposed by Markis et al. Type II was the commonest, followed by type I, III and IV. Right coronary artery was the most commonly involved vessel by ectasia followed by left circumflex, left anterior descending artery and left main coronary artery. Diffuse ectasia was seen more frequently in right coronary artery and localised ectasia in left anterior descending artery. Patients in groups A and B had similar epidemiological characteristics, though more patients with ectasia alone (group B) had better left ventricular function and negative stress tests. The patients in group A had a similar incidence of previous myocardial infarction, coronary risk factor profile, treadmill exercise test status and severity of coronary artery disease when compared to group C. On a mean follow-up of 3+/-1.2 years, all the three groups had similar event rates.