The practice of defensive medicine among Jordanian physicians: A cross sectional study.

Background: Defensive medicine (DM) is a deviation from medical practice that is induced primarily by a threat of liability. While the DM behavior is well studied in the developed countries, little is known in developing countries and never been evaluated in Jordan.

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of DM practice in Jordan among physicians and to investigate reasons behind its practice and potential strategies to alleviate this practice.

Internet gaming disorder and psychological well-being among university students in Egypt.

Background: Internet gaming disorder (IGD) is a serious rising problem affecting people of all ages. Many researchers reported that students' addictive gaming behavior resulted in the loss of function and the development of psychological problems. In this study, we aimed mainly to measure the prevalence of internet gaming disorder among Mansoura University students and find its relationship with psychological well-being.

Cognitive impairment in children with chronic Hepatitis C Virus: Case control study.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is the most common cause of chronic liver disease of infectious etiology in children. This study aims to compare cognitive impairment, and psychological status of treatment-naïve HCV children with control group. Treatment-naïve children with HCV and an equal control group of children of matched age and gender were recruited.

Outcomes from Indo-United States-Egypt tri-national psychiatric research training programmes.

Background: The prevalence of mental health disorders is increasing globally. Countries in South Asia, Southeast Asia and the Middle East regions carry high burdens of mental health need; however, there are relatively few mental health research publications from this region, suggesting inadequate research funds and a paucity of qualified research personnel. To increase and strengthen the pool of mental health researchers in India and Egypt, we conducted three psychiatric research programmes in these countries: the Training Program for Psychiatric Genetics in India (2002-2011), the Tri-National Training Program for Psychiatric Genetics (2009-2014) and the Cross-Fertilized Research Training for New Investigators in Egypt and India (2014-2019).

Influence of pharmaceutical promotion on prescribers in Jordan.

Background Pharmaceutical promotion efforts should facilitate excellent quality patient care. However, there has been substantial debate about ethical principles related to pharmaceutical promotions. Objectives This study aimed to evaluate (i) attitudes toward pharmaceutical promotion among physicians in the private sector in Jordan, (ii) the impact of pharmaceutical promotion in influencing physicians' prescribing practices, and (iii) the prospect of academic detailing on this issue in Jordan.

Age dependent association of inbreeding with risk for schizophrenia in Egypt.

Background: Self-reported consanguinity is associated with risk for schizophrenia (SZ) in several inbred populations, but estimates using DNA-based coefficients of inbreeding are unavailable. Further, it is not known whether recessively inherited risk mutations can be identified through homozygosity by descent (HBD) mapping.

Methods: We studied self-reported and DNA-based estimates of inbreeding among Egyptian patients with SZ (n = 421, DSM IV criteria) and adult controls without psychosis (n = 301), who were evaluated using semi-structured diagnostic interview schedules and genotyped using the Illumina Infinium PsychArray.

Randomized controlled trial of adjunctive Valproate for cognitive remediation in early course schizophrenia.

Background: Schizophrenia (SZ) is associated with cognitive impairment that contributes to disability, but the cognitive dysfunction is relatively refractory to pharmacologic intervention. Though Valproate augmentation is reported to improve psychopathology among patients with SZ, its effects on cognitive functions have not been investigated systematically.

Methods: Using a randomized double blind placebo controlled design, the effects of Valproate or placebo as adjuncts to risperidone (RISP) treatment were evaluated among patients with early course SZ (N = 109).

Impulsive behavior and its correlates among patients with schizophrenia in a tertiary care psychiatry setting in Mansoura.

Background And Objectives: Impulsive behavior has been repeatedly identified as a major problem in schizophrenia. Our objective was to examine the possible demographical and clinical correlates for impulsive behavior in patients with schizophrenia.

Methods: Fifty-eight patients with schizophrenia and Seventy-seven healthy controls were recruited.

Hepatitis C virus antibody titers associated with cognitive dysfunction in an asymptomatic community-based sample.

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with cognitive dysfunction in clinic-based studies. The risk could be attributed to factors such as antiviral medications, substance abuse, or coincidental infection.

Aim: The aim was to evaluate cognitive function in relation to HCV antibody titers in a community-based sample of asymptomatic individuals at low risk for substance abuse.

Practice effects distort translational validity estimates for a Neurocognitive Battery.

Introduction: With the globalization of biomedical research and the advent of "precision medicine," there is increased need for translation of neuropsychological tests, such as computerized batteries that can be incorporated in large-scale genomic studies. Estimates of translational validity are obtained by administering the test in the original and the translated versions to bilingual individuals. We investigated the translation of a neuropsychological battery from English to Arabic and how practice effects influence translational validity estimates.

Arabic versions of the sleep timing questionnaire and the composite scale of morningness.

Objectives: To develop Arabic versions of English language questionnaires to estimate morningness/eveningness and sleep variables.

Methods: We translated the Composite scale of morningness (CSM) and the sleep timing questionnaire (STQ) [with added siesta questions] into Arabic; the Arabic versions were then back translated. The revised Arabic and the original English versions were next administered to bi-lingual Egyptians using a crossover design (n=25).

Reduced Fertility and Fecundity among Patients with Bipolar I Disorder and Schizophrenia in Egypt.

Objective: To evaluate reproduction among patients with bipolar I disorder (BP1) or schizophrenia (SZ) in Egypt.

Methods: BP1 patients (n=113) were compared with community based, demographically balanced controls (n=124) and SZ patients (n=79, DSM-IV). All participants were evaluated using structured interviews and corroborative data were obtained from relatives.

Does telomere length mediate associations between inbreeding and increased risk for bipolar I disorder and schizophrenia?

We have recently found that consanguinity is a risk factor for bipolar I disorder (BP1) and schizophrenia (SZ) in Egypt. Inbreeding has been associated with increased cellular stress and impaired physiological function in plants and animals. Previous studies have reported that telomere length (TL), an index of oxidative stress and cellular senescence is significantly reduced among patients with SZ or mood disorders compared with control individuals.

Body image disturbance and surgical decision making in egyptian post menopausal breast cancer patients.

Background: In most developing countries, as in Egypt; postmenopausal breast cancer cases are offered a radical form of surgery relying on their unawareness of the subsequent body image disturbance. This study aimed at evaluating the effect of breast cancer surgical choice; Breast Conservative Therapy (BCT) versus Modified Radical Mastectomy (MRM); on body image perception among Egyptian postmenopausal cases.

Methods: One hundred postmenopausal women with breast cancer were divided into 2 groups, one group underwent BCT and the other underwent MRM.