ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The reference range of total testosterone needs to be established locally as ethnic differences in adiposity, insulin sensitivity, and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels may affect total testosterone levels. The aim of this study is to establish the reference intervals of total testosterone from healthy, young adult Filipino males. METHODS: The study included 110 healthy, Filipino male volunteers aged 21-40, studying or working at the University of the Philippines Manila. Clinical history, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), and blood pressure (BP) were obtained, and blood for total testosterone, SHBG, albumin, insulin, fasting blood sugar (FBS), and total cholesterol was collected. Free testosterone was calculated using Vermeulen's formula. The 2.5th to 97.5th percentiles of subjects for total testosterone were used as the normative range for Filipino men. RESULTS: The reference range of total testosterone is 7.33-53.01 nmol/L. CONCLUSION: The present study derived reference ranges of total testosterone using data from apparently healthy, young adult men to support clinical services.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: This study assessed whether short message service (SMS) reminders would improve follow-up rate among gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) patients by 12 weeks postpartum. METHODOLOGY: In this single-center, single-blind randomized controlled trial, we assigned 308 patients with GDM to either of 2 arms, usual care alone versus usual care with SMS reminders. In the usual care group, 154 patients received a 10-minute short lecture on GDM and a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) request prior to discharge. In the SMS group, 154 patients received twice a week SMS reminders at 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 10 weeks after delivery in addition to usual care. The primary outcome was clinic visit within 6 to 12 weeks postpartum with a 75 g OGTT result. RESULTS: In our population, the overall follow-up rate was 19.8% (61/308). Follow up rates were 20.1% (31/154) for the usual care group and 19.5% (30/154) for the SMS. The addition of SMS reminders was not associated with an increase in follow-up rate at 12 weeks postpartum (adjusted RR 0.98, 95% CI 0.63-1.52; p=0.932). The use of insulin or metformin for GDM control was associated with increased follow-up (adjusted RR 1.92, 95% CI 1.20-3.07; p=0.006). CONCLUSION: SMS reminders did not improve postpartum follow-up rate among GDM patients at 12 weeks postpartum.