Validity and reliability of an adapted arabic version of the long international physical activity questionnaire

Abstract Background The International Physical Actvity Questionnaire (IPAQ) is a validated tool for physical activity assessment used in many countries however no Arabic version of the long-form of this questionnaire exists to this date. Hence, the aim of this study was to cross-culturally adapt and validate an Arabic version of the long International Physical Activity Questionnaire (AIPAQ) equivalent to the French version (F-IPAQ) in a Lebanese population. Methods The guidelines for cross-cultural adaptation provided by the World Health Organization and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire committee were followed. One hundred fifty-nine students and staff members from Saint Joseph University of Beirut were randomly recruited to participate in the study. Items of the A-IPAQ were compared to those from the F-IPAQ for concurrent validity using Spearman’s correlation coefficient. Content validity of the questionnaire was assessed using factor analysis for the A-IPAQ’s items. The physical activity indicators derived from the A-IPAQ were compared with the body mass index (BMI) of the participants for construct validity. The instrument was also evaluated for internal consistency reliability using Cronbach’s alpha and Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC). Finally, thirty-one participants were asked to complete the A-IPAQ on two occasions three weeks apart to examine its test–retest reliability. Bland-Altman analyses were performed to evaluate the extent of agreement between the two versions of the questionnaire and its repeated administrations. Results A high correlation was observed between answers of the F-IPAQ and those of the A-IPAQ, with Spearman’s correlation coefficients ranging from 0.91 to 1.00 (p < 0.05). Bland-Altman analysis showed a high level of agreement between the two versions with all values scattered around the mean for total physical activity (mean difference = 5.3 min/week, 95% limits of agreement = −145.2 to 155.8). Negative correlations were observed between MET values and BMI, independent of age, gender or university campus. The A-IPAQ showed a high internal consistency reliability with Cronbach’s alpha ranging from 0.769–1.00 (p < 0.001) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) ranging from 0.625–0.999 (p < 0.001), except for a moderate agreement with the moderate garden/yard activity (alpha = 0.682; ICC = 0.518; p < 0.001). The A-IPAQ had moderate-to-good test-retest reliability for most of its items (ICC ranging from 0.66–0.96; p < 0.001) and the Bland-Altman analysis showed a satisfactory agreement between the two administrations of the A-IPAQ for total physical activity (mean difference = 99.8 min/week, 95% limits of agreement = −1105.3; 1304.9) and total vigorous and moderate physical activity (mean difference = −29.7 min/week, 95% limits of agreement = −777.6; 718.2). Conclusion The modified Arabic version of the IPAQ showed acceptable validity and reliability for the assessment of physical activity among Lebanese adults. More studies are necessary in the future to assess its validity compared to a gold-standard criterion measure

Mid-trimester spontaneous rupture of a bicornuate uterus: A case report

Bicornuate uterus (BU) is a rare congenital anomaly that may present with various obstetric complications, and very rarely may be a risk factor for uterine rupture, even of an unscarred uterus.A 21-year-old primigravida woman, at 19 weeks and 5 days of gestation, presented with severe abdominal pain and features of hypovolemic shock. Urgent laparotomy showed a large hemoperitoneum, a ruptured left horn of a BU and a dead fetus in the abdominal cavity. Excision of the ruptured left horn was performed and the uterine defect was sutured. Postoperative recovery was uneventful. Bicornuate uterus is a rare uterine anomaly and is associated with various obstetric complications at different gestational ages. Ruptured uterus should be considered in the differential diagnoses of acute abdominal pain and a picture of hypovolemia in women with mid-trimester pregnancies

Additional file 3: Figure S2. of Validity and reliability of an adapted arabic version of the long international physical activity questionnaire

Bland-Altman plots of the duration of total PA and total moderate-vigorous PA determined on the first and the second administrations of the A-IPAQ. (PDF 208 kb

Additional file 2: Table S1. of Validity and reliability of an adapted arabic version of the long international physical activity questionnaire

Content validity of the A-IPAQ. (PDF 12 kb

Additional file 1: of Validity and reliability of an adapted arabic version of the long international physical activity questionnaire

Questionnaire. Arabic version of the IPAQ developed for this study. (PDF 340 kb

Maternal and cord serum levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) among Lebanese pregnant women and predictors of exposure

International audienc

Dioxins and furans maternal transfer: A study of breast milk and cord serum levels among Lebanese mothers and associations with newborn anthropometric measurements

International audienceDioxins and furans (PCDD/Fs) are anthropogenic pollutants that persist in the environment for long years, bioaccumulating in food & contaminating humans. In pregnancy, they can transfer through the placenta and reach the fetus, which negatively affects fetal growth. They can also reach newborns through breastfeeding. In this study, we focused on this critical subpopulation and identified the presence of PCDD/Fs among pregnant women in breast milk (n = 41) and cord serum (n = 49); we assessed the correlation between different matrices, evaluated the predictors and associations with newborn anthropometric measurements. Over 70.7 % of PCDD/Fs were detected in breast milk and 46.9–55.1 % in cord serum. Cord/maternal serum and breast milk to maternal serum ratios were > 1 with a significant positive Spearman correlation (0.669–0.729). Breast milk & maternal serum PCDD/Fs were associated inversely with age and positively with red meat intake. Cord serum PCDD/Fs were inversely associated with pre-pregnancy weight loss and passive smoking. Parity and gestational weight gain showed positive associations with Z-scores at birth. Z-score differences showed negative and positive associations with passive smoking and pre-pregnancy BMI respectively

Hepatoid Adenocarcinoma of the Stomach: A Challenging Diagnostic and Therapeutic Disease through a Case Report and Review of the Literature

Hepatoid adenocarcinoma of the stomach (HAS) is a rare aggressive tumor with hepatocellular differentiation. HAS often produces alpha fetoprotein (AFP) and metastasizes to the lymph nodes and the liver. Molecular studies revealed Her2 amplification and overexpression, association with p53 mutations, but no association with KRAS mutations. EGFR and BRAF mutations have not yet been evaluated in hepatoid carcinoma of the stomach so far. Hereby, we present a case of a 41-year-old female patient with HAS with high AFP level and liver metastases. Molecular analysis revealed Her2 overexpression by immunohistochemistry (IHC), but no EGFR, KRAS, or BRAF mutations were detected. The patient underwent chemotherapy type DCX (docetaxel, cisplatinum, and capecitabine) every 3 weeks with partial response after two cycles, maintained for eight cycles, and then was on maintenance therapy with trastuzumab for 7 months before relapsing and dying 18 months from the day of diagnosis. Conclusively, HAS may be misdiagnosed as hepatocellular carcinoma; therefore, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of multiple hepatic nodules with high AFP and no history of hepatitis, liver fibrosis or cirrhosis

Maternal Serum, Cord and Human Milk Levels of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), Association with Predictors and Effect on Newborn Anthropometry

International audienceBackground: The understanding of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) health effects is rapidly advancing among critical populations. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess PFAS serum levels among Lebanese pregnant women, cord serum and human milk levels, their determinants, and effects on newborn anthropometry. Methods: We measured concentrations of six PFAS (PFHpA, PFOA, PFHxS, PFOS, PFNA and PFDA) using liquid chromatography MS/MS for 419 participants, of which 269 had sociodemographic, anthropometric, environmental and dietary information. Results: The percentage of detection for PFHpA, PFOA, PFHxS and PFOS was 36.3–37.7%. PFOA and PFOS levels (95th percentile) were higher than HBM-I and HBM-II values. While PFAS were not detected in cord serum, five compounds were detected in human milk. Multivariate regression showed that fish/shellfish consumption, vicinity to illegal incineration and higher educational level were associated with an almost twice higher risk of elevated PFHpA, PFOA, PFHxS and PFOS serum levels. Higher PFAS levels in human milk were observed with higher eggs and dairy products consumption, in addition to tap water (preliminary findings). Higher PFHpA was significantly associated with lower newborn weight-for-length Z-score at birth. Conclusions: Findings establish the need for further studies, and urgent action to reduce exposure among subgroups with higher PFAS levels