UMED’s first of a series of State-of-the-Art (SOA) lectures for the year 2006 started off with two major medical concerns. “Malnutrition” and “Women’s Health Issues” were the centers of discussion in the activities held in EDSA Shangrila on March 23-24, 2006.

To herald the start the meeting in the first SOA, Dr. Rodolfo Florentino, Chairman and President of the Nutrition Foundation of the Philippines, discussed the state of pediatric nutrition in the country. Clearly, he noted that undernutrition predominates over overnutrition in children but the later is increasing as shown by recent statistics. Nutritional status of children (with the exception of anemia in infants) is slowly improving. However, at its current rate, achieving the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) may not be reached by the year 2015. The lecture of Dr. Emilie Flores, underscored the fact that breast feeding is still unequalled in providing optimum growth and development of infants. She mentioned that although this form of feeding is the feeding of choice in 90% of cases, exclusive breastfeeding is not widely practiced locally. Dr. Enrique Ostrea from Wayne State University, delivered a very interesting talk on the “Fetal Basis of Adult Diseases”. Based on the Barker Hypothesis, mechanisms related to intrauterine malnutrition were associated with increased risks of acquiring hypertension, coronary artery disease, Metabolic Syndrome and Diabetes Mellitus, among others. Dr. Vasundhara Tolia, also from Wayne State University, discussed “Hepatic Steatosis in Under- and Overnutrition”. Other discussions worthy of note were delivered by Drs. Susan Padilla-Campos, Elizabeth Gabriel-Martinez and Jossie Rogacion.

For the March 24 SOA, the focus of talks were shifted to the health concerns of women in the 21st century. Dr. Shelley de la Vega delivered the first lecture for the day - issues of anti-aging and quest for longevity. This was followed by Dr. Blanca de Guia’s discussion on the different concerns related to menopause and perimenopausal transition. Cancer screening and management of osteoporosis through exercise were highlighted in the lectures of Dr. Cecille Llave and Dr. Alvin Mojica, respectively. Dr. Kirit Tolia, clinical associate professor from Wayne State University, gave a very comprehensive discussion on Metabolic Syndrome- its usefulness in diagnosis, management, its multiple definitions and current controversies. The syndrome’s main advantage lies in its applications to clinical practice especially on matters that may increase CV/DM risks. Dr. Tolia also highlighted the benefits of multifactorial interventions like lipid modification, glucose and BP lowering and lifestyle intervention for optimal CV risk reduction. Dr. de la Vega delivered another important talk in the afternoon on Dementia – its differential diagnosis, causes and medical management. Dr. Clarissa Cellalona, a young budding dermatologist from UP-PGH, received the most number of questions and inquiries during the open forum after her talk entitled “The Aging Face”. An exciting discussion on nutrition by a very famous nutritionist, Ms. Sanirose Orbeta was next. Through an animated talk complete with pictures and graphics on food, food and more food, she brought home the message on what diet works and what doesn’t. Dr. Vivienne Cleofas a psychiatrist from UP-PGH delved on stress and strategies on how to cope. Sexuality and aging, an issue important for both men and women, was the last of the series for the day and was ably delivered by Dr. Virgilio Novero.

The meeting was a gathering of highly respected authorities who shared their knowledge and expertise to achieve one primary goal i.e., excellence in continuing medical education for the Filipino physicians. Success and a keen sense of accomplishment aptly describe the gains and achievements by the two SOAs, the first of a series by UMED for 2006.

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