Healthy aging is the process of preserving physical, mental, and social well-being while growing older, a concept that calls for embracing aging rather than fearing it, as emphasized by Pope Francis. With the global senior population projected to reach 2.1 billion by 2050, addressing the health needs of older adults has become increasingly critical. Chronic diseases such as COPD, cancer, diabetes, and neurodegenerative disorders are prevalent among seniors, prompting extensive clinical research and medical innovation. Advances in screening, preventive care, and treatment, combined with healthy lifestyle practices, significantly enhance quality of life and independence in later years. Reflecting on Pope Francis' life and resilience, aging can be seen not as a decline, but as an opportunity to embody wisdom, compassion, and a continued zest for life.

In the field of medicine and cardiology, there is perhaps no other condition or situation that stimulates an adrenalin rush for the healthcare team than a patient presenting with wide QRS complex tachycardia. These cases may be potentially fatal and are usually associated with worse outcomes. While the real-world experience in the evaluation and management of these cases can be chaotic situations, a careful, systematic and organized scrutiny of the electrocardiographic tracing is key to obtaining a correct diagnosis and proceeding with the right therapeutic management.

Patients with diabetes are at higher risk of developing severe COVID-19 infection with a two-fold increased risk of mortality. This study described the risk factors affecting clinical outcomes of confirmed COVID-19 patients with diabetes mellitus at the University of Santo Tomas Hospital, Manila, Philippines.

Administration of antenatal corticosteroids (ACS) between 24 and 36 weeks of gestation is recommended to pregnant women at risk of preterm delivery to decrease the risk of respiratory distress syndrome, intra-ventricular hemorrhage and neonatal death. However, it may worsen glycemic profile primarily in those with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).
The objective of this study was to determine the effects of ACS on maternal glycemia in Filipino women with GDM and to analyze the factors associated with insulin use or increased insulin requirement.

This study aimed to determine if selenium supplementation for a period of six months can decrease signs and prevent worsening of mild Graves’ ophthalmopathy among Filipino patients.

Individuals with myeloproliferative neoplasia (MPN) have blood cell parameters representing abnormal proliferation of the cell line/lines affected. Considering the implication of symptom burden scores to treatment response and disease progression, with the same implication among changes in blood cell parameters, a question of correlation between the two variables becomes inevitable. This study aims to determine the correlation of controlled blood counts, severity of symptoms and quality of life of individuals with MPN.

Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is generally considered to be an indolent disease with relatively good prognosis. However, some studies have shown that the Filipino population has a higher risk for disease recurrence compared to non-Filipino patients and hence early identification and management during the follow-up period would be beneficial, especially those in whom risk factors for recurrence were identified. This study aims to identify determinants for disease recurrence of patients with PTC.

At present, there is not much data on the prevalence of cancer in the young adult population in the local setting, in addition to prevalence and determinants of distress in this population. The findings of this study may help to understand the current situation of this young population, and it may also provide a reference for further improving outcomes among these patients who have a distinct set of needs compared to the older counterparts, in addition to a long life expectancy ahead of them.

Strength is a key modifiable risk factor for hamstring strains with significant differences between injured and non-injured sides in the lengthened position. Ensuring the test-retest reliability of measurement protocols ensures consistent injury prevention, rehabilitation and return-to-sport planning. The objective of this study was to evaluate the test-retest reliability of hamstring strength protocols in both standardized and lengthened positions among healthy adults.

Curcumin has been investigated as a potential natural solution to prevent or even treat skeletal muscle decline. There are a number of externally sourced finished products (ie, those imported from other countries) containing curcumin, but high cost limits their usage. The emerging research and development of locally sourced curcumin is an opportunity to produce high-quality oral supplements comparable to existing imported products. The primary purpose of this study is to determine the effects of oral administration of a local curcumin formulation on skeletal muscle using an animal model that similarly demonstrated the course of human sarcopenia.

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in fair-skinned populations. Overall, strategies focus on modifiable risk factors such as reducing ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure through physical, topical or systemic protection. Currently, data on knowledge, attitude and practices of Filipino patients on UV index in relation to sun protection is unavailable. The objective of this study is to improve sunscreen use among patients seen in a tertiary hospital in Manila, specifically after UV index education.

The migration from classroom learning to real patient encounters during clinical clerkship is a transformative journey that carries with it many challenges which serve as rich sources of meaning. The actual patient interactions are pivotal opportunities that provide transcendental meanings which contribute to the well-rounded development of medical clerks, ultimately enhancing their ability to deliver better patient care.

As global life expectancy rises, the aging population faces increasing health challenges, with immunosenescence (the gradual decline in immune function) being a critical concern. This decline is driven by mechanisms such as thymic involution, reduced B-cell function, impaired antigen presentation and chronic low-grade inflammation (inflammaging). These factors increase susceptibility to infections, reduce vaccine efficacy and contribute to chronic inflammatory diseases in older adults.
This review explores mechanisms of immunosenescence and potential interventions, including thymic rejuvenation, stem cell therapies, immune-modulating diets and exercise and advancements in vaccine technologies (eg, adjuvantenhanced and mRNA vaccines). Focus is placed on immunological strategies for aging individuals, particularly in the context of COVID-19.