Philippine Clinical Practice Guidelines for Periodic Health Examination: Screening for Cardiovascular Disease.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Cardiology
• Clinical Practice Guidelines

Background:

• Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of mortality in the Philippines.
• Early detection and management of cardiovascular conditions can improve clinical outcomes.
• Screening benefits must be weighed against potential harms and socio-economic factors in primary care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide evidence-based recommendations for primary care physicians.
• To guide the detection of selected cardiovascular diseases in asymptomatic individuals.
• To consider socio-economic implications of diagnostic screening tests.

Main Methods:

• Systematic evidence synthesis for six priority cardiovascular conditions.
• Utilized the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach.
• Involved critical question generation, evidence retrieval, synthesis, and stakeholder deliberation.

Main Results:

• Seven recommendations were developed for six prioritized cardiovascular screening questions.
• Strong recommendations for screening familial hypercholesterolemia and abdominal aortic aneurysm.
• Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening is recommended for men aged 60-80.

Conclusions:

• Routine screening for familial hypercholesterolemia is recommended for asymptomatic Filipinos.
• Routine screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm is recommended for asymptomatic men aged 60-80.
• Recommendations supplement, not replace, clinical judgment for primary care physicians.