Depression and anxiety among head and neck cancer patients admitted at the Philippine General Hospital

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to determine the prevalence of psychological distress manifested as anxiety and depression among head and neck cancer patients admitted at the Philippine General Hospital. METHODOLOGY: This was a cross-sectional study that used the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale- Pilipino (HADS- P) on head and neck cancer patients admitted at the Philippine General Hospital. RESULTS: Fifty-six percent of the 42 patients manifested symptoms of anxiety and 51 % had symptoms of depression while seventy six percent had a mix of anxiety and depressive symptoms. CONCLUSION: There is a high prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms among peri-operative and operative otorhinolaryngology (ORL) patients; thus, the need for a continuing Consultation Liaison program among ORL patients with the goal of integrating psychosocial aspects in their comprehensive health care plan for surgical patients.

Hemolytic anemia presenting as hemoglobinuria from intentional paradichlorobenzene mothball ingestion

A 24-year-old Filipino male was diagnosed with hemolytic anemia when he presented with abrupt onset of anemia, hemoglobinuria, and increased bilirubins, after intentionally ingesting mothballs containing paradichlorobenzene. He was transfused with six units of packed red blood cells (PRBC) and was discharged improved. Paradichlorobenzene, a known oxidant, causes denaturation and precipitation of hemoglobin. These precipitates form Heins bodies within the erythrocytes that are removed by the reticuloendothelial system, fragmenting cells to produce hemoytic anemia from paradicholorobenzene ingestion as confirmed by the UP-National Poison Management and Control Center.