Uncovering patients' preferences for brand among essential classes of coronary heart disease medications using a discrete choice experiment.

Patient preferences for medications strongly correlate with adherence; one area of interest is the choice between branded and generic drugs. Despite extensive research about brand-versus-generic drug preferences, few studies have explored severe-illness patients like those with coronary heart disease (CHD). We could not locate studies measuring preference weights of branded drugs in different classes within guideline-recommended regimens using discrete choice experiments (DCE).

Predictors of Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy among People Living with HIV in Northern Egypt.

Adherence to medications is a crucial factor in achieving the best therapeutic outcomes for patients who have human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Little is known about the rate and predictors of adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Egypt. To assess the degree of adherence to ART among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Egypt and to explore the predictors of non-adherence.

Trends and predictors of antimicrobial resistance among patients with urinary tract infections at a tertiary hospital facility in Alexandria, Egypt: a retrospective record-based classification and regression tree analysis.

Background: The incidence of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in uropathogens varies between countries and over time. We aim to study the patterns and potential predictors of AMR among patients with UTIs admitted to the Urology Department at Alexandria University Hospital.

Methods: An observational retrospective record-based study was conducted on all patients admitted to the Urology department from October 2018 to October 2020.

Efficacy and safety of inhaled heparin in asthmatic and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients: a systematic review and a meta-analysis.

Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are prevalent chronic respiratory disorders that cause significant morbidity and mortality. Some studies evaluated the use of inhaled unfractionated heparin (UFH) in the treatment of asthma and COPD. We aimed to synthesize the available evidence for the efficacy and safety of inhaled heparin in improving lung functions among asthmatic and COPD patients.

Prevalence and determinants of antimicrobial resistance of pathogens isolated from cancer patients in an intensive care unit in Alexandria, Egypt.

Background: Infections caused by multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) are a globally increasing threat among critically ill patients, especially those with underlying malignancies. We aimed to assess the prevalence and susceptibility patterns of MDROs among cancer patients in intensive care units (ICU), and their predictors.

Methods: Over 4 years, we retrospectively reviewed medical records of 497 malignancy patients in the ICU of a tertiary hospital in Alexandria, Egypt.

Sodium benzoate induced toxicities in albino male rats: mitigating effects of Ficus carica and Cymbopogon citratus leave extract.

Herbal products have become widely used in managing and treating a wide range of illnesses. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the total phenolic and flavonoid contents, antioxidant and protective effects of Cymbopogon citratus ethyl acetate and Ficus carica hexane leave extract (200 mg/kg b.w for both) on sodium benzoate (SB) (200 mg/kg b.

Assessment of the effect of amantadine in patients with traumatic brain injury: A meta-analysis.

Background: Traumatic brain injury is a global burden. We aimed to perform a meta-analysis to determine the efficacy of amantadine for cognitive performance after traumatic brain injury.

Methods: The systematic review was prospectively registered on the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews website under the registration number CRD42017080044.

The role of graft reperfusion sequence in the development of non-anastomotic biliary strictures following orthotopic liver transplantation: A meta-analysis.

Background: Liver transplant is a potential cure for liver failure and hepatic malignancy but there are many techniques which have been described for vascular reconstruction. This study was to compare the prevalence of non-anastomotic biliary stricture and other surgical complications based on Clavien-Dindo scoring system, in initial portal reperfusion (sequential) versus simultaneous or initial artery reperfusion.

Data Sources: Meta-analysis of published studies comparing the outcomes of both techniques was carried out.

Prevalence of Chronic Diabetic Complications in Newly Diagnosed versus Known Type 2 Diabetic Subjects in a Sample of Alexandria Population, Egypt.

Background: In Egypt, data on the prevalence of chronic diabetic complications, which are essential for the adjustment of policies and practices related to diabetes care, are scarce. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the frequency of chronic complications of diabetes; namely neuropathy, Diabetic Kidney Disease (DKD), retinopathy and Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) in newly-diagnosed versus known type 2 diabetic patients.

Subjects & Methods: This is a cross-sectional study that is based on a previous household survey conducted on a representative sample of the population of Alexandria, Egypt.

A meta-analysis of the effect of different neuroprotective drugs in management of patients with traumatic brain injury.

Traumatic brain injury is a major problem worldwide. Our objective is to synthesize available evidence in the literature concerning the effectiveness of neuroprotective drugs (cerebrolysin, citicoline, and piracetam) on Glasgow outcome score (GOS), cognitive performance, and survival in traumatic brain injury patients. Comprehensive search of electronic databases, search engines, and conferences proceedings; hand search journals; searching reference lists of relevant articles, theses, and local publications; and contact of authors for incomplete data were performed.

Optimal waist circumference cutoff points for the determination of abdominal obesity and detection of cardiovascular risk factors among adult Egyptian population.

Objective: To determine the best anthropometric measurement of obesity, and its optimal cutoff, that best predicts the presence of cardiovascular risk factors among adult Egyptian population.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study including a representative randomly chosen sample of the adult Egyptian population from all Alexandria Districts (the second largest governorate in Egypt) based on the multistage random technique. It included 3209 subjects (1567 men, 1642 women) aged 18-80 years from urban and rural areas.

Critical thinking and attitude of physicians toward evidence-based medicine in Alexandria, Egypt.

Background: Evidence-based practice is important for developing countries and is expected to thrive in a questioning culture. Experienced physicians differ in the making of clinical judgements, which are often not based on evidence. Although this topic is of paramount importance to the quality of care provided in the university hospitals in Alexandria, little research has been done about attitudes towards evidence-based medicine (EBM), and the extent of physicians' skills to access and interpret evidence.

Detection of low-intensity Schistosoma mansoni infection by Percoll sedimentation and real-time PCR techniques in a low-endemicity Egyptian setting.

Objective: To evaluate the performance of Percoll sedimentation and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the detection of S. mansoni cases previously tested as negative by Kato-Katz technique in two low-endemic areas in Alexandria, Egypt, Abis 4 and 8 villages.

Methods: Stool samples of 824 primary schoolchildren were examined by Kato-Katz technique (three slides of 41.

Evaluating laboratory key performance using quality indicators in Alexandria University Hospital Clinical Chemistry Laboratories.

Background: The performance of clinical laboratories plays a fundamental role in the quality and effectiveness of healthcare.

Objectives: To evaluate the laboratory performance in Alexandria University Hospital Clinical Laboratories using key quality indicators and to compare the performance before and after an improvement plan based on ISO 15189 standards.

Materials And Methods: The study was carried out on inpatient samples for a period of 7 months that was divided into three phases: phase I included data collection for evaluation of the existing process before improvement (March-May 2012); an intermediate phase, which included corrective, preventive action, quality initiative and steps for improvement (June 2012); and phase II, which included data collection for evaluation of the process after improvement (July 2012-September 2012).

Prevalence of intracranial atherosclerosis among patients with coronary artery disease: a 1-year hospital-based study.

Background: There are limited data on the prevalence of intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) worldwide and especially among Egyptians. The purpose of the present study was to determine the prevalence and correlates of ICAD in patients with CAD.

Methods: From January 1, 2012 to January 1, 2013, we recruited 118 consecutive patients who had ischemic heart disease.

Pattern of use of complementary and alternative medicine among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in Alexandria, Egypt.

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a major health problem worldwide. Several studies have shown that a significant number of diabetic patients resort to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), which raises concerns regarding compliance to pharmacotherapy as well as the safety of these medications.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine the pattern of CAM use among type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients in Alexandria, Egypt, and its impact on compliance to pharmacotherapy.

Abdominal obesity and endometrial cancer in egyptian females with postmenopausal bleeding.

Endometrial cancer is the most common type of female genital tract malignancies. We intended to assess the relation between different measures of obesity and the risk to develop endometrial cancer in Egyptian females with postmenopausal bleeding (PMB). The study was conducted in Alexandria, Egypt and included all postmenopausal females presenting to the University Hospital of Gynecology and Obstetrics with PMB within the study period (from January 1 to September 30).

Biosafety and biosecurity measures: management of biosafety level 3 facilities.

With the increasing biological threat from emerging infectious diseases and bioterrorism, it has become essential for governments around the globe to increase awareness and preparedness for identifying and containing those agents. This article introduces the basic concepts of laboratory management, laboratory biosafety and laboratory biosecurity. Assessment criteria for laboratories' biorisk should include both biosafety and biosecurity measures.

HLA class I and class II HLA DRB profiles in Egyptian children with rheumatic valvular disease.

Poststreptococcal sequelae, especially acute rheumatic fever/rheumatic heart disease continues to occur in significant proportions in many parts of the world, especially in less developed countries. An important factor in the study of rheumatic heart disease is the human genetic susceptibility to the disease. The aim of the present study was to detect the most prevalent HLA class I and class II types associated with risk of rheumatic heart disease in Egyptian children.

Antiviral screening of forty-two Egyptian medicinal plants.

Aim Of The Study: Egyptian medicinal plants are well known by their diverse uses in traditional folk medicine to cure various ailments including infectious diseases. Forty-two Egyptian medicinal plant species were selected from local market and were subjected to antiviral screening bioassay to investigate and to evaluate their biological activities.

Materials And Methods: Hydro-alcoholic extracts of each species were separately prepared and tested against three viruses: herpes simplex-1 virus (HSV), poliomyelitis-1 virus (POLIO) and vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV).

Assessing the marginal error in diagnosis and cure of Schistosoma mansoni in areas of low endemicity using Percoll and PCR techniques.

Objective: The Kato-Katz technique misses a proportion of low-intensity schistosomiasis cases. We set out to estimate the rate of false negative results after Kato-Katz.

Method: Comparison with the more sensitive Percoll technique and polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Morbidity of schistosomiasis mansoni in rural Alexandria, Egypt.

A parasitological survey of stool and urine of 2577 from 3281 individuals living in Abis villages, Alexandria was undertaken in 1998 in order to investigate the prevalence of schistosomiasis in this area and risk factors for hepatic morbidity. A random sample of 1082 individuals was interviewed using a questionnaire regarding risk factors for liver morbidity. All interviewed adults (total: 728) were clinically examined for evidence of organomegally (hepatomegally and/or splenomegally).

Comparison of early results of percutaneous metallic mitral commissurotome with Inoue balloon technique in patients with high mitral echocardiographic scores.

We compared the safety, efficacy, and cost of the newly introduced percutaneous metallic commissurotome (PMC) with the results of Inoue balloon mitral valvuloplasty (BMV) in 80 patients with mitral stenosis (MS). The mean increase in mitral valve area (MVA) was 0.95 +/- 0.

Identification of clinical criteria for group A-beta hemolytic streptococcal pharyngitis in children living in a rheumatic fever endemic area.

A cross-sectional study was conducted over a 1-year period (1 January-31 December 2000) during which cases suffering from uncomplicated tonsillopharyngitis were recruited from the private and public health services in Alexandria. The objective was to determine the prevalence of group A-beta haemolytic streptococci (GABHS) among children suffering from tonsillopharyngitis and to identify the clinical criteria predicting GABHS pharyngitis in children. A total of 578 children aged between 1 and 15 years with a mean of 6.

Pattern of diagnostic and therapeutic care of childhood epilepsy in Alexandria, Egypt.

Objectives: To evaluate the quality of care delivered to children with epilepsy and study the predictors of seizure recurrence after initial control.

Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted during 4-month period (1 January to 30 April 1999).

Setting: Children's hospitals providing out-patient and in-patient services to the majority of children in Alexandria, Egypt.