The rate of exacerbations in patients with asthma in Qatar: A retrospective study during 2019-2021.

The prevalence of asthma is 9% among adults in Qatar, and its severity can be attributed to intrinsic and extrinsic factors such as environmental changes. As part of the project to investigate the association between air pollution and asthma severity, the rate of exacerbations in adult patients with asthma has been studied in Qatar. Retrospective data of patients with asthma (16-70 years) from January 2019 to December 2021 was retrieved from Cerner medical records.

Fc Epsilon RI-Neuroimmune Interplay in Pruritus Triggered by Particulate Matter in Atopic Dermatitis Patients.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is the most common chronic relapsing neuroinflammatory skin disease that is characterized by a complex and multifactorial pathophysiology. It reflects a profound interplay between genetic and environmental factors, and a recently disclosed neuroimmune dysregulation that drives skin barrier disruption, pruritus, and microbial imbalance. In terms of the key external environmental players that impact AD, air quality and itch severity linkage have been thoroughly researched.

Total Hg levels distribution in fish and fish products and their relationships with fish types, weights, and protein and lipid contents: A multivariate analysis.

This study investigates the mercury (Hg) levels distribution in fish and fish products and their relationships with fish types, weights, protein, and lipid contents in Qatar. Principal component analysis (PCA) was employed to analyze the influence of lipids and protein content on Hg accumulation in the fish tissues. Additionally, the impact of Hg concentration and fish consumption on the estimated weekly intake (EWI).

Health risk assessment of methyl mercury from fish consumption in a sample of adult Qatari residents.

Fish constitutes an essential source of high-quality protein and is, at the same time, the source of exposure to many hazardous contaminants, namely mercury and methyl mercury (MeHg). This study aims at assessing the risk that MeHg poses to the health of adult Qatari residents through fish consumption. Data on fish consumption were collected using a self-administered online survey composed of three sections that collected information about the fish-eating patterns of the participants.

Pharmacist Role in Hypertension Management in the Community Setting: Questionnaire Development, Validation, and Application.

Background: Hypertension is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally. Pharmacists can play a substantial role in decreasing the burden of the disease.

Purpose: The primary aim of this study was to develop and validate a scale assessing the pharmacist role in hypertension management in the community pharmacy setting.

Comprehensive care for patients with diabetes in Ramadan: A module for pharmacy students and pharmacists.

Introduction: Prior studies show that many patients with diabetes whose health maybe impacted by fasting, choose to fast during Ramadan. This study describes the implementation and evaluation of an online module targeting bachelor of pharmacy (BPharm) and doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) students that aims to improve participants' knowledge, communication, and self-efficacy concerning proper care for patients with diabetes in Ramadan.

Methods: An online module consisting of two phases targeting both BPharm and PharmD students was implemented over two semesters in fall 2020 and spring 2021.

Primary Dysmenorrhea: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment Updates.

Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) is a common, disregarded, underdiagnosed, and inadequately treated complaint of both young and adult females. It is characterized by painful cramps in the lower abdomen, which start shortly before or at the onset of menses and which could last for 3 days. In particular, PD negatively impacts the quality of life (QOL) of young females and is the main reason behind their absenteeism from school or work.

Prevalence, risk factors, and management practices of primary dysmenorrhea among young females.

Background: Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) is one of the most common gynecological conditions among young females, which has a significant negative impact on health-related quality of life and productivity. Despite its high prevalence, the evidence is limited regarding the management-seeking practices and its perceived effectiveness among females with PD.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted among 550 female students in six universities across Lebanon.

Acute Kidney Injury Related to Intravenous Colistin Use in Lebanese Hospitalized Patients: Incidence and Associated Factors.

Background: Colistin use has increased because of the emergence of infections caused by resistant gram-negative bacteria. Acute kidney injury (AKI) remains a treatment-limiting factor for widespread colistin clinical use. This study aimed at determining the incidence and the factors associated with the development of colistin-induced AKI.

Dispensing errors in Lebanese community pharmacies: incidence, types, underlying causes, and associated factors.

Objectives: To assess the incidence, types, the causes of as well as the factors associated with dispensing errors in community pharmacies in Lebanon.

Methods: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted in 286 pharmacies located all over Lebanon. Data were collected by senior pharmacy students during their experiential learning placement.

Prescribing of proton pump inhibitors for gastrointestinal bleeding prophylaxis in the Lebanese outpatient setting: patterns, compliance with guidelines and risks.

Objectives: To determine patterns of proton pump inhibitor (PPIs) prescribing for gastrointestinal bleeding prophylaxis (GIBP) in the Lebanese outpatient setting, to assess their compliance with guidelines for approved GIBP indications and to delineate independent factors that are associated with non-compliance.

Methods: A community-based multicentre cross-sectional study was conducted. Eligible patients were those who presented to the community pharmacy setting with a PPI prescription for GIBP.

Statin prescription strategies and atherogenic cholesterol goals attainment in Lebanese coronary artery disease patients.

Background Current guidelines recommend a low-density lipoprotein cholesterol goal of <1.8 mmol/L (<70 mg/dL) and a non high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) goal of <2.6 mmol/L (<00 mg/dL) for coronary artery disease (CAD) patients.

The economic impact of patients with heart failure on the Lebanese healthcare system.

Aims: This paper aimed to calculate the annual cost for heart failure (HF) patients in Lebanon.

Methods And Results: Heart failure care can reach up to $31 billion annually in the USA. Data in Lebanon are lacking.

Level of A1C control and its predictors among Lebanese type 2 diabetic patients.

Aim: Lebanon is among the top 10 countries with the highest prevalence of diabetes in the Middle East region with estimates reaching as high as 16.6% in adults aged 20-79 years. The objective of this study was to assess the level of A1C control among a cohort of type 2 diabetic patients and factors associated with uncontrolled A1C.

Variables associated with stress ulcer prophylaxis misuse: a retrospective analysis.

Background: Stress ulcer prophylaxis (SUP) is commonly used in hospitals. Although its indications are better delineated for intensive care unit (ICU) patients, its use in non-ICU settings is somewhat arbitrary and based on judgment.

Objective: We attempted to assess the extent of SUP overuse in our hospital.