Patient-centric decision-making in supplements intake and disclosure in clinical practice: a novel SIDP-12 tool to prevent drug-supplement interaction.

Background: Self-treatment of dietary supplements may contribute to interactions and severe side effects. Limited studies have constructed a scale that can measure the disclosure practice of supplements to healthcare providers and the influencing factors.

Objective: The study aims to investigate the supplement disclosure practice among the public in the UAE using a developed and validated supplement disclosure assessment scale tool.

The impact of perceived vaginal and urinary symptoms and treatment burden in predicting sexual functioning among perimenopausal and postmenopausal women.

Objective: This study aimed to explore the relationship between urogenital symptom frequency and severity, perception of vaginal treatment burden, and female sexual desire, arousal, and satisfaction.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 326 patients from three tertiary care hospitals in the United Arab Emirates. The frequency and severity of urogenital symptoms, emotional and physical functioning, and treatment burden were assessed using the validated genitourinary syndrome of menopause symptoms and vaginal treatments acceptability questionnaire (GSM-SVATQ).

A roadmap beyond dispensing for educating and training community pharmacists on key mental health competencies: A mixed-methods national study.

Background: Including pharmacists in collaborative mental healthcare models has yielded positive results. Establishing processes to enhance pharmacists' mental health care capabilities is crucial for addressing the increasing burden and improving access to mental health services.

Objectives: This study evaluated community pharmacists' mental health competencies and analyzed associated factors using a rigorous international framework.

Denosumab Use in Chronic Kidney Disease Associated Osteoporosis: A Narrative Review.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and hemodialysis (HD) patients have a high incidence of bone disease and increased fracture risk, making effective management of their bone health a clinical challenge. Denosumab, a human monoclonal antibody, has been investigated as a therapeutic option in this patient population. In this review, we summarize the current evidence on the efficacy and safety of denosumab in CKD and HD patients.

Development and validation of the genitourinary syndrome of menopause symptoms and vaginal treatments acceptability questionnaire (GSM-SVTAQ): An electronic patient-reported outcomes measure.

Objectives: To develop and validate an electronic, patient-reported outcomes measure (PROM) specific for genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) patients. The PROM aimed to accurately assess the burden of GSM symptoms, their impact on health-related and sexual quality of life, and the acceptability of vaginal treatments.

Methods: The study encompassed a comprehensive three-stage approach to the development and validation of the PROM.

Therapeutic Effects of Vitamin D on Vaginal, Sexual, and Urological Functions in Postmenopausal Women.

Recent years have witnessed the emergence of growing evidence concerning vitamin D's potential role in women's health, specifically in postmenopausal women. This evidence also includes its connection to various genitourinary disorders and symptoms. Numerous clinical studies have observed improvements in vulvovaginal symptoms linked to the genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) with vitamin D supplementation.

The effects and safety of high dose vitamin D3 in hemodialysis patients.

Background: Different studies have shown that hemodialysis patients require higher doses of Vitamin D3 (VD3) than the general population to achieve satisfactory replenishment. This study aims to assess the safety of such practice and its benefits on some of the parameters of Chronic Kidney Disease- Mineral and Bone Disorder (CKD-MBD).

Methods: A single-center clinical trial assessing the benefits of high dose VD3 in hemodialysis patients.

The usage pattern of patients' drug information leaflet for oral non-prescription drugs among university students in the United Arab Emirates: cross-sectional study.

Background: Very few extensive studies have measured the prevalence and usage pattern of drug information leaflet (DIL) for oral non-prescription drugs (ONPDs) or identified the associated risk factors for not reading DIL among university students in the UAE.

Objective: The current study aimed to estimate the prevalence of the usage pattern of DIL for ONPDs, and delineate the associated risk factors for not reading the DIL among university students.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey-based multistage sampling technique conducted among 2875 students at three major universities in UAE.

Determinants and Effects of Vitamin D Supplementation in Postmenopausal Women: A Systematic Review.

Hormonal fluctuations, excessive clothing covering, sunscreen use, changes in body fat composition, a vitamin D-deficient diet, and a sedentary lifestyle can all predispose postmenopausal women to vitamin D deficiency. An effective supplementation plan requires a thorough understanding of underlying factors to achieve the desired therapeutic concentrations. The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review of the predictors that affect vitamin D status in postmenopausal women.

Prevalence and associated risk factors of self-medication with over-the-counter medicines among university students in the United Arab Emirates.

Background: Proper self-medication with Over the Counter (OTC) medicines can benefit both the patient and the healthcare sector. Although OTC medications are considered relatively safe, their improper use can lead to serious health risks and implications. This study investigates the self-medication practices with OTC medicines among medical and non-medical students at different universities in the United Arab Emirates.

How is mental health care provided through community pharmacies? A quest for improvement.

Background: Mental disease burden is increasing globally, and a substantial shortage of mental health professionals remains. Community pharmacists can improve population mental health outcomes to bridge the mental health care gap. However, there is a paucity of data on community pharmacists' provision of mental health care.

Distress symptoms during the COVID-19 lockdown: A study with the general population of the United Arab Emirates.

Background: Since the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) government has taken a series of preventive measures to control the spread of the Coronavirus. Dealing with the unforeseen challenges caused by the pandemic has had a profound impact on people all around the world. Pharmacists played an important public health role during the COVID-19 pandemic, and they were the first point of contact with the public and the first source of information, providing accurate and reliable management and preventive measures.

Impacts of COVID-19 Pandemic on Geopolitics, Health, Economics, Education and Sociocultural Events.

The number of active cases of COVID-19 and deaths is markedly escalating. The pandemic had affected almost every aspect of our lives including geopolitics, health, economics, education, and sociocultural events. However, besides the negative impacts of the pandemic, there are some positive impacts as well, such as improving our awareness of the daily hygienic practices, emphasizing digital inequality, and increasing global collaboration in combating the crisis by intensifying scientific research to establish a promising vaccine.

A mixed-methods study to assess COVID-19 vaccination acceptability among university students in the United Arab Emirates.

To effectively achieve herd immunity against COVID-19, a substantial proportion of a population would need to be vaccinated. However, vaccine hesitancy and refusal are significant issues globally. This mixed-methods study aimed to investigate university students' attitudes in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) toward the COVID-19 vaccination, determine the factors associated with vaccine hesitancy, and understand the underlying reasons.

Obesity and its associated risk factors among school-aged children in Sharjah, UAE.

Background: The most prevalent nutritional disorders worldwide are childhood overweight or obesity. Various factors clearly contribute to the childhood obesity epidemic. The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence of childhood obesity in children of primary schools, and determine the influence of eating behavior and lifestyle in such a condition.

Diarylamides in anticancer drug discovery: A review of pre-clinical and clinical investigations.

Several diarylamide compounds have been highlighted as potential anticancer agents. Among them, imatinib, dasatinib, and nilotinib have been marketed for treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). CML is a cancer type that originates in specific cells in bone marrow and is considered as life-threating disease.

Prevalence Of Self-Medication With Antibiotics Among Residents In United Arab Emirates.

Background: Self-Medication with antibiotics is a human practice and attitude in which an individual uses antibiotics to treat self-diagnosed symptoms. The self-medication with antibiotics is a common practice among residents in the UAE.

Purpose: The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of self-medication of antibiotics among residents in the UAE population to determine its associated risk factors and to increase awareness regarding the abuse of antibiotics.

Sulfamates in drug design and discovery: Pre-clinical and clinical investigations.

In the present article, we reviewed the sulfamate-containing compounds reported as bioactive molecules. The possible molecular targets of sulfamate derivatives include steroid sulfatase enzyme, carbonic anhydrases, acyl transferase, and others. Sulfamate derivatives can help treat hormone-dependent tumors including breast, prostate, and endometrial cancers, Binge eating disorder, migraine, glaucoma, weight loss, and epilepsy.

Erratum to: What drives using antibiotic without prescriptions? A qualitative interview study of university students in United Arab Emirates.

[This corrects the article on p. 1172 in vol. 16, PMID: 30023027.

What drives using antibiotic without prescriptions? A qualitative interview study of university students in United Arab Emirates.

Background: Bacterial resistance to antibiotics is considered as natural phenomenon that occurs over the time due to genetic changes. Bacterial resistance to antibiotics is significantly increasing in the UAE. Self-medication with antibiotics has been identified as a major factor for the development of antibiotic resistance, which is significantly increasing in the UAE.

Use of Over-the-Counter Medication among Pregnant Women in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.

Background: Over-the-counter medications are widely available in pharmacies Their safety profile, however, does not extend to pregnant women. Accordingly, there should be educational programs developed for pregnant women to protect them from the harms of the side effects.

Aim: This study was planned and designed with the aim of exploring the awareness and assessing the usage of OTC medications among pregnant women in Sharjah, UAE.

A qualitative study exploring physicians' perceptions on the role of community pharmacists in Dubai.

Objective: The aim of this study is to explore the perceptions of physicians operating within the boundaries of Dubai on the role of community pharmacists.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were done with 12 physicians working within the boundaries of Dubai Health Authority. Interviews mainly focused on understanding the perceptions of physicians on the role of community pharmacists in addition to willingness to integrating pharmacists in patient care process.

Societal problems that patients with epilepsy are facing in Sharjah, UAE.

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to assess the knowledge and gauge the level of understanding and attitudes of the public towards patients with epilepsy in Sharjah, UAE. A questionnaire-based survey was used, and a total of 400 surveys were distributed in several parts of the city. Among 388 (97%) returned surveys, 94.

The role of pharmacists in developing countries: The current scenario in the United Arab Emirates.

Pharmacy practice has passed several rounds of advancements over the past few years. It had changed the traditional positioning criteria of pharmacists as business people into patient-centered healthcare professionals. This worldwide shift is increasingly accumulating pressure on UAE pharmacists to turn up into better level of service providing accompanied with higher demand of inter-personal skills and intellectual capabilities.

Perception of community pharmacists towards the barriers to enhanced pharmacy services in the healthcare system of Dubai: a quantitative approach.

Background: In many developing countries, pharmacists are facing many challenges while they try to enhance the quality of services provided to patients approaching community pharmacies.

Objective: To explore perception of community pharmacists in Dubai regarding the obstacles to enhanced pharmacy services using a part of the results from a nation-wide quantitative survey.

Methods: A questionnaire was distributed to 281 full-time licensed community pharmacists in Dubai.