Philippine Clinical Practice Guidelinesfor Periodic Health Examination:Screening for Infectious Diseases

Abstract

Background. The persistent burden of communicable diseases, coupled with the risk of asymptomatic transmission, underscores the importance of a structured and evidence-based screening approach in the Philippines.

Objective. This CPG provides evidence-based recommendations for the screening of asymptomatic, apparently healthy adolescent and adult Filipinos for infectious diseases and those with high-risk conditions.

Methods. We followed the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach to CPG development recommended in the Department of Health Manual, including GRADE Adolopment, a systematic process of adapting evidence summaries, and the GRADE Evidence to Decision (EtD) framework. The guideline development process had four general steps: 1) identification of priority research questions; 2) evidence synthesis and analysis; 3) formulation of the recommendations based on the balance of benefit, harm, values, and preferences; and 4) implementation and evaluation. The infectious diseases covered in this CPG are syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhea, asymptomatic bacteriuria, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis C, HIV, dental infections, COVID-19, latent tuberculosis, and intestinal parasitism.

Results. The task force developed 18 recommendations (10 strong recommendations, 8 weak recommendations) on screening asymptomatic, apparently healthy children and adults for infectious diseases.

Conclusion. This Philippine Clinical Practice Guideline provides evidence-based recommendations for screening infectious diseases among asymptomatic, apparently healthy adolescent and adult Filipinos and those with high-risk conditions, emphasizing a risk-based rather than universal screening approach. The guideline highlights that targeted screening of high-risk populations for infections such as syphilis, HIV, hepatitis C, chlamydia/gonorrhea, and latent tuberculosis can improve early detection, reduce transmission, and prevent complications, while avoiding unnecessary costs and harms associated with indiscriminate screening. Overall, the recommendations reinforce the critical role of primary care and preventive health strategies in reducing the burden of infectious diseases in the Philippines.