Arabic translation and cultural adaptation of Liverpool Adverse Events Profile (LAEP) among a sample of epileptic older adults

Purpose: To validate and culturally adapt Liverpool Adverse Events Profile (LAEP) in Arabic among a sample of elderly patients with epilepsy.Methods: The face and content validity of the Arabic version of LAEP was ensured by a group of healthcare professionals. Undemented elderly patients (≥ 60 years) with seizure disorders, who are on a single antiepileptic drug (AED), were recruited from two tertiary care centers in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Factor analysis was performed to check the construct validity. The reliability was measured using Cronbach’s alpha method.Results: Seventy-four patients met the inclusion criteria and were interviewed. Most of the participants had generalized seizures (67.57 %), and were either illiterate or with elementary school education (62.16 %). Their mean age was 68.9 years, and 51.35 % were male. About two-thirds of the participants were on either carbamazepine or levetiracetam (66.22 %). Six factors were extracted from the Arabic version of LAEP. Cronbach’s alpha of the Arabic version of LAEP was 0.84. The mean overall LAEP score was 28.9.Conclusion: The Arabic version of LAEP demonstrates good validity and reliability. Similar studies should examine its validity and reliability among different epileptic patient populations.Keywords: Adverse drug event, Epilepsy, Older adults, Cronbach’s alpha, Liverpool Adverse Events Profile, Seizure disorders, Carbamazepine, Levetiraceta

The association between IVF and chromosomal abnormalities compared to spontaneous conception

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a process by which an egg is extracted by needle aspiration and then combined with a sperm so that fertilization can occur outside the body. Genetic defects, such as chromosomal abnormalities, are considered rare among the general population; however, even though their incidence among IVF-conceived children is uncommon, several alarming studies were published on the increased risk of chromosomal abnormalities IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)-conceived children compared to universal rates. This study aimed to review the literature and present data to answer whether IVF or ICSI is associated with an increased risk of chromosomal abnormalities inborn after IVF/ICSI treatment compared to spontaneously conceived children. Relevant published scientific articles were searched in the Medline database, using combinations of the following key terms: "IVF", "in vitro fertilization", "ICSI", "intracytoplasmic sperm injection", "natural conception", "spontaneous conception" along with "chromosomal abnormalities", "chromosomal defects", "sex chromosome aneuploidy", and "trisomy". The eligible studies were considered as studies exploring the association of IVF/ICSI with chromosomal abnormalities compared to spontaneous conception. The search included studies published from 1992 to 2018. The results for the association of chromosomal abnormalities and IVF remain unclear. As many studies proved a significant increase in chromosomal abnormalities and syndromes among the IVF population, other studies were contradicting and contributed the abnormalities to several environmental and technical factors. [JBCGenetics 2021; 4(1.000): 42-47

Self-Reported COVID-19 Vaccines’ Side Effects among Patients Treated with Biological Therapies in Saudi Arabia: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the side effects of COVID-19 vaccines among a mixed gender sample of patients on monoclonal antibody biologics (mAbs) in Saudi Arabia. Methods: This was a prospective questionnaire-based cross-sectional study in which adult patients (≥18 years) on mAbs who had received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine from three tertiary care centers in Saudi Arabia were included. Descriptive statistics and univariate logistic regressions were conducted to present the vaccine side effects and examine the association between the reported side effects and vaccine type. Results: Four-hundred and seventeen patients, with a mean age of 39 years, consented to participate. Approximately 82% and 18% of the participants received Pfizer–BioNTech and Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccines, respectively, and nearly 71% received two doses of the vaccine. Diarrhea (9.59%), fever (51.32%), headache (32.13%), hypotension (13.67%), palpitation (9.11%), and temporary loss of smell (5.28%) were the most commonly reported side effects. Conclusion: COVID-19 vaccines are generally safe for patients treated with mAbs. Future studies should examine the rates of side effects across different COVID-19 vaccines among patients on mAbs using more robust study designs and representative samples

Ovulation induction by metformin among obese versus non-obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Objectives: There is some evidence that the efficacy of metformin as an ovulation stimulation agent depends on the body mass index (BMI) of the treated anovulatory women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The aim of this study was to examine the likelihood of successful ovulation among obese (BMI ⩾30 kg/m2) versus non-obese (BMI <30 kg/m2) women with PCOS. Methods: A total of 243 medical charts of women with PCOS who visited King Khaled University Hospital (KKUH) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, between 2006 and 2012 were reviewed. Patients’ sociodemographic, laboratory, and medical data were collected. Descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to compare the patients’ baseline data and successful ovulation among the obese and non-obese anovulatory women with PCOS, respectively. Results: One hundred and nine women with PCOS who were prescribed metformin for ⩾3 months were included in the study. Almost 60% of the women who were included in the study were obese. The likelihood of ovulation among obese women with PCOS was 77.9% (odds ratio = 0.221, 95% CI 0.052–0.947, P = 0.042) less than that in their non-obese counterparts. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that metformin is more effective as an ovulation stimulation agent when administered to non-obese women with PCOS. Lifestyle modifications such as diet and exercise should be emphasized upon as an integral part of any treatment plan for PCOS

Relationship between health literacy and body mass index among Arab women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) puts patients at higher risk for obesity and diabetes. Poor health literacy is also associated with these conditions. Notably, weight loss is associated with improved ovulation and pregnancy rates for women with PCOS. In this study the association between health literacy and body mass index (BMI) among women with PCOS was examined. Methods: The health literacy of women with PCOS was measured using the Arabic version of the single item literacy screener (SILS) at a university medical center. Sociodemographic and medical information was collected by interviewing the participants and reviewing their medical records, respectively. The relationship between health literacy and BMI was assessed by multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: Health literacy was assessed in 127 women with PCOS from September 2015 to February 2016. Only 16.54% of participants had limited health literacy. The mean BMI for all participants was 30.57 (kg/m2), and the mean age was 27.40 years. Further, most of the participants (74%) had a high school diploma or a higher degree. Almost 56% of the participants were taking metformin, and 11.81% had hypothyroidism. After controlling for age, education, hypothyroidism diagnosis, and the use of metformin, participants with high BMI were 10% less likely to have a good health literacy level (OR = 0.904; 95% CI = 0.829–0.987; P = 0.0238). Conclusion: Improving the health literacy of patients with PCOS may have a positive impact on their BMI and eventually lead to favorable health outcomes

The use of active learning strategies in healthcare colleges in the Middle East

Abstract Background Multiple studies have explored the use of active learning strategies among faculty members in different healthcare colleges worldwide, however, very few have described the use of these strategies in the Middle East. The aim of this study was to evaluate the extent of the implementation of active learning and its various techniques across different fields of healthcare education in various countries in the Middle East. Methods A Web-based questionnaire was developed to obtain information on the use of active learning methods. This survey was disseminated among faculty members in healthcare colleges in 17 Middle Eastern countries. Results Out of 22,734 online invitations that were sent to faculty members in different healthcare colleges, 2085 (9.17%) accepted the invitations, however, only 722 (34.63%) of those who agreed to participate filled out the questionnaire. Eighty-seven percent of the responders utilized at least one technique of active learning. Active learning was used more frequently by female responders. For example, 54.30% of the female responders reported using learning by teaching as one of their teaching methods compared to 41.30% of their male counterparts (p = 0.0005). The various forms of active learning were used at similar levels in both public and private healthcare colleges. Only minor differences were seen among different age groups or academic positions of the responders, but significant variabilities were noted among the several fields of healthcare education. For example, 61.54% of responders from the nursing faculty reported using reaction to videos as one of their teaching methods compared to 31.11% of their counterparts in the faculty of dentistry (p = 0.0021). The most frequently reported obstacles interfering with the effectuation of active learning include the lack of technical support and time constraints. Conclusions Although some barriers to the implementation of active learning exist, it is extensively used by faculty members in healthcare colleges in the Middle East

Cardiovascular adverse events of antineoplastic monoclonal antibodies among cancer patients: real-world evidence from a tertiary healthcare system

Abstract Background Antineoplastic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), such as trastuzumab, bevacizumab, and pertuzumab have been the mainstay of therapy in cancer patients. Despite proven efficacy of the monoclonal antibodies, cardiovascular-induced adverse events such as heart failure, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, arrhythmias, thromboembolic events, and hemorrhage remain a major complication. The European society of cardiology address that concern with antineoplastic monoclonal antibodies issuing a guideline to manage and monitor chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity. There is limited evidence of the real-world prevalence of cardiovascular (CV) events induced by monoclonal antibodies among patients with cancer in Saudi Arabia. Objective To evaluate the prevalence of cardiovascular adverse events among patients with cancer treated with monoclonal antibodies in Saudi Arabia. Methods This is a retrospective study conducted in a tertiary care hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Data were obtained from an electronic medical record of patients with cancer treated with one of the selected monoclonal antibodies, who met the inclusion criteria between January 2005 until June 2015 and have been followed up for at least one year. Patients were stratified into groups according to monoclonal antibodies treatment: trastuzumab, bevacizumab, pertuzumab, and combined mAbs. Results A total of 1067 patient were included in the study, within the pre-determined study period. The prevalence of cardiovascular disease among patients with cancer treated with monoclonal antibodies was 16.3%. The prevalence of heart failure was relatively higher in the trastuzumab group (46/626 patients, 7.3%). Among 418 patients treated with bevacizumab, hypertension was the most frequent adverse event, reported in 38 patients (9.1%), followed by thromboembolism reported in 27 patients (6.5%). Treatment discontinuation owing to cardiovascular adverse events was reported in 42/1,067 patients (3.9%). Conclusion and relevance Prevalence of antineoplastic monoclonal antibody induced cardiovascular adverse events among patients with cancer is substantially high in Saudi Arabia. There is an urgent need to streamline the practice for identifying high risk patients and flexible referral system for cardio-oncology care

PREVALENCE OF COMPLICATIONS AFTER ODONTOPLASTY

Background:Cosmetic dentistry, also known as enameloplasty, is what odontoplasty refers to. This cosmetic dentistry treatment that strives to enhance the function of human teeth also includes contouring and reshaping of the teeth. Enhancing the look of a persons teeth by modifying their size, length, or even shape is a popular cosmetic procedure nowadays. This research aimed to assess and understand the issues and complications that are reported to have been faced by many people who have gone through the procedure of odontoplasty. Methods:A cross-sectional study was used to understand the prevalence of complications after odontoplasty. The philosophy of positivism is appropriate for this research as it helped in the descriptive assessment of the quantitative data gathered. An inductive research approach would be implemented because this approach relies on building up new theories and developing perceptions from existing theories. This is the need of this research work, and therefore an approach of inductive nature would be the best fit.The sampling method that was implemented is stratified random sampling, which would help consider those individuals in the UK going through the odontoplasty procedure. The sample age group is within the range of 25-40 years. Results:Study included 562 participants in which all of them responded to study survey questions. The most frequent complication was weak tooth (n= 268, 47.7%). More than third of study participants didnt support the changing of natural appearance of the tooth (n= 216, 38.4%). However, 63% would like to further changing the existing shape and size of their teeth (n= 354). On the other hand, 241 participants believed that odontoplasty is a necessity (42.9%). The same percentage almost recommended others to undergo odontoplasty (n= 239, 42.5%). 312 participants felt moderate pain (55.5%) is more than half of study participants. The most frequent reason why participants underwent odontolplasty was bad shape of teeth (n= 259, 46.1%). Conclusion:The most prevalent consequence was weak teeth. More over a third of survey participants opposed altering the tooths natural look, according to the study findings. However, more than half of individuals would desire to modify their present tooth form and size. Some participants, however, thought that odontoplasty is necessary. Over fifty percent of subjects reported moderate discomfort. About half of them claimed that it would endure for extended period of tim