Donor human milk (DHM) from a human milk bank (HMB) is used to feed low-birthweight (LBW) and preterm infants when mothers cannot provide their own breastmilk. The misuse of DHM could interfere with mothers' breastmilk and weaken breastfeeding efforts. This study aimed to identify factors behind prolonged DHM usage during the first six years of Vietnam's first HMB. Data were extracted from the Da Nang HMB's digital monitoring system. We defined prolonged DHM use as four or more days in the neonatal unit and two or more days in postnatal wards. Over six years, 25,420 infants received DHM, with 45.3% of the infants being female, 54.7% being male, 70.0% being born via cesarean section, and 77.2% being full-term. In the neonatal unit (n = 7001), 38.0% of infants used DHM for ≥4 days. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) for prolonged use were 0.14 for infants weighing <1000 g, 0.78 for infants weighing 1000-<1500 g, and 0.67 for infants weighing ≥2000 g (p < 0.01), compared to those weighing 1500-<2000 g. Compared to gestational ages of 32-<34 weeks, the aORs were 0.26 for <28 weeks, 0.71 for 34-<37 weeks, and 0.35 for ≥37 weeks (p < 0.01). In postnatal wards (n = 18,419), 53.1% of infants used DHM for ≥2 days. Compared to term, normal-weight infants, the aORs were 1.25 for LBW-preterm, 1.17 for LBW-term, and 1.21 for normal-weight-preterm infants (p < 0.05). Prolonged DHM use was associated with cesarean births in neonatal units (aOR 2.24, p < 0.01) and postnatal wards (aOR 1.44, p < 0.01). DHM is used briefly to bridge nutritional gaps and transition to mothers' breastmilk, but LBW, preterm births, and cesarean births are linked to prolonged use. Healthcare providers should support those at risk of prolonged DHM use and prioritize reducing unnecessary cesarean births.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) shares common risk factors with cardiovascular (CV) disease, such as a sedentary lifestyle, obesity, and metabolic syndrome. However, the relationship between ED and CV risk in Vietnam remains unknown. To investigate this, we conducted a multi-center observational study, randomly selecting 2,936 men aged 40 to 69 years in Vietnam, with 385 participants included after exclusions. The study evaluated the 10-year CV risk using the Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation 2-Diabetes (SCORE2-Diabetes) score and assessed ED using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) score. Results showed that men with diabetes mellitus and hypertension had significantly lower IIEF-5 scores compared to healthy individuals (18 [15–22] vs. 23 [20–24], p < 0.001). Additionally, the IIEF-5 score proved effective in identifying patients at very high CV risk, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.747, a cutoff point of 18.5, sensitivity of 69.6%, and specificity of 69.9%. Furthermore, we found a significant inverse correlation between SCORE2-Diabetes and IIEF-5 (ρ = -0.45 and p < 0.001). These findings establish a significant connection between ED and CV risk in men with diabetes, underscoring the need for integrated screening and management strategies to address both conditions concurrently.

Over the last decade, our knowledge of colorectal serrated polyps and lesions has significantly improved due to numerous studies on this group of precursor lesions. Serrated lesions were misleading as benign before 2010, but they are currently reclassified as precancerous lesions that contribute to 30% of colorectal cancer through the serrated neoplasia pathway. The World Health Organization updated the classification for serrated lesions and polyps of the colon and rectum in 2019, which is more concise and applicable in daily practice. The responsible authors prescribe that "colorectal serrated lesions and polyps are characterized by a serrated (sawtooth or stellate) architecture of the epithelium." From a clinical standpoint, sessile serrated lesion (SSL) and SSL with dysplasia (SSLD) are the two most significant entities. Despite these advancements, the precise diagnosis of SSL and SSLD based mainly on histopathology remains challenging due to various difficulties. This review describes the nomenclature and the terminology of colorectal serrated polyps and lesions and highlights the diagnostic criteria and obstacles encountered in the histopathological diagnosis of SSL and SSLD.

Cancer imposes a substantial financial burden on patients because of the high out-of-pocket expenses and the significant hardships. Financial toxicity describes the impact of cancer care costs at the patient level. Although the financial impact of cancer has been recognized, understanding the extent and determinants of financial toxicity in specific contexts is crucial. This study investigated the level of financial toxicity and its associated factors among patients with cancer at an oncology hospital in central Vietnam. This cross-sectional study included 334 patients with cancer. Direct interviews and medical record reviews were used for data collection. Financial toxicity was assessed using the 11-item Comprehensive Score for financial Toxicity (COST). A logistic regression model was used to determine factors associated with financial toxicity. A notable 87.7% of patients experienced financial toxicity due to cancer cost, with 37.7% experiencing mild financial toxicity and 49.7% suffering from moderate financial toxicity, 0.3% reporting severe financial toxicity. Individuals with low household income exhibited a higher proportion of financial toxicity compared to that of those with higher income (odds ratio (OR) = 5.78, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.29-25.68). Compared with that of participants in the early stages, a higher burden was found in patients with advanced-stage cancer (OR = 3.88, 95% CI: 1.36-11.11). Our study indicates that patients with cancer in Vietnam facefinancial toxicity. It is thus necessary for interventions to mitigate the financial burden on patients with cancer, focusing on vulnerable individuals and patients in the advanced stages.

This study was conducted to measure financial toxicity (FT) among patients with cancer in Vietnam using the COmprehensive Score for financial Toxicity (COST) and to describe the cost management strategies employed by these patients. This comprehensive cross-sectional study enrolled 634 patients from 2 specialized oncology hospitals in Vietnam. Using COST cut-off scores, FT was classified as none/mild (≥26), moderate (14-25), or severe (≤13). Cost management strategies, or coping mechanisms, were classified into 4 groups: lifestyle changes, financial resource strategies, treatment modifications, and support seeking. The prevalence of FT was 91.8%, with 51.7% of participants demonstrating severe and 40.1% exhibiting moderate FT. Severe FT was significantly associated with female, low education level, unstable employment, low household economic status, and advanced cancer stage. The most common coping strategies were as follows: among lifestyle changes, reducing spending on basic items and leisure activities (78.7%) and cutting back on essential household expenses (66.4%); among financial resource strategies, borrowing money from relatives or friends (49.1%) and withdrawing funds from retirement or savings accounts (34.1%); within treatment modifications, switching treatment facilities or doctors due to cost concerns (9.3%); and within support seeking, obtaining help from welfare or community organizations (18.8%). All strategies were significantly more likely to be used by patients with severe FT. FT was highly prevalent among patients with cancer. Most patients relied on lifestyle adjustments and coping strategies, underscoring the need for improved financial support systems to alleviate the economic burden associated with cancer care.

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 850 postmenopausal women, seen at 17 Health station of 17 wards in Danang City from August to September, 2023. Research was carried out by gynecological examination, test of serum estradiol concentration, collect BMI index and questionnaire for each researching object to investigate vaginal dryness rate and factors associated. Results: Vaginal dryness rate was 49,3%. There was a relationship between serum estradiol concentration with vaginal dryness, menopause time with vaginal dryness, intercourse activity with vaginal dryness, painful in intercourse activity with vaginal dryness, vaginal pH with vaginal dryness. The vaginal dryness rate in postmenopausal women was relatively high. There was an association between serum estradiol concentration, menopause time, intercourse activity, vaginal pH with vaginal dryness.

The subspecialty workforce in pathology globally is inadequate for the demands of many modern therapies. The Open Pathology Education Network (OPEN) was formed to augment the global pathology workforce. The International Gynecologic Cancer Society (IGCS) virtual gynecologic-oncology (gyn-onc) fellowship training identified needs for higher-level pathology support. To report on an OPEN-IGCS pilot project to support gyn-onc and pathology education efforts in a developing country. Curriculum with learning objectives and content from open sources was assembled. Mentoring sessions included bidirectional case sharing. Trainees received sequential curricula assignments and had options for communication outside mentoring sessions. Pretest and posttest digital slide assessments were included. Mentors attended the gynecology tumor board, allowing for the assessment of quality and accuracy of pathology diagnosis for cases discussed. Learners completing the pretest and posttest showed substantial improvement, with 2 practicing pathologists improving their diagnostic scores from 60% to an average of 95%. A third trainee-level participant also improved, but to a lesser degree. Qualitative assessments included increased confidence in presentation and an increased ability to anticipate questions, raise issues of expanded differential diagnoses, and articulate appropriate workup. Observations of clinicians who participated also noted increased confidence in participating pathologists. Secondary value included establishing an expanded network of support in other subspecialties for participants. Pathologic issues at the tumor board decreased, from more than 50% in the first 3 months of study to 0% in the last 3 months of study. The curriculum was embedded into a self-paced learning portal at courses.open-pathology.org. The OPEN-IGCS collaboration model shows the potential to provide subspecialty pathology training remotely.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients undergoing hemodialysis treatment and identify associated factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted in a hospital in central Vietnam. The Short form – 36 (SF – 36) was used to measure HRQOL. Multivariate Tobit regression was utilised. Results showed that among 95 patients, the mean PCS and MCS scores were 44.18 (SD = 19.45) and 48.74 (SD = 19.82), respectively. In physical components, the highest score was bodily pain (mean = 69.9, SD = 26.36). In mental components, the highest score was social function (mean = 55.13, SD = 14.30). Patients who did not depend on others in self-care had a significantly higher MCS score (Coef. = 24.02, 95%CI = 10.54-37.51) than those who entirely relied on others. Patients with 5 – <10 years of dialysis had a lower MCS score (Coef. = –8.52, 95%CI = –16.35 - -0.70) than those under five years. Having only hypertension as a comorbidity was negatively associated with PCS (Coef. = –6.32, 95%CI = –12.45 – –0.20) and MCS (Coef. = –7.73; 95%CI = –13.13 – –2.33) scores. To conclude, patients with ESKD who undergo dialysis experience a diminished quality of life.